Houghton-le-Spring, Morton Engine

HER Number:
3140

District:
Sunderland

Site Name:
Houghton-le-Spring, Morton Engine

Place:
Houghton-le-Spring

Map Sheet:
NZ35SW

Class:
Industrial

Site Type: Broad:
Machinery

Site Type: Specific:
Engine

General Period:
Early Modern

Specific Period:
C19

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
Historic Ordnance Survey map evidence shows the Morton Engine, possibly a winding or pumping engine associated with the nearby Coal Pit (HER ref. 3121) and wagonway (HER ref. 3614). The Morton Engine, built to pump water from the Bournmoor D Pit (HER ref. 4998), was planned from 1814 and commenced pumping operations in early 1817. The site is recorded as "Morton Engine" in 1856 and as the "Morton Pumping Station" in 1896, but by 1920 was disused. A terrace of four houses was located to the south of the engine, but the buildings had been demolished by 1939. The site of the engine is now marked by a low grassed-over mound.

Easting:
3213

Northing:
5069

Grid Reference:
NZ32135069

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 3140 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 13 Northern Archaeological Associates, 2001, Sunderland Central Route, Multi Modal Study