Friday, Facts and Fotos 47 Friday 16th June 2023
West Block Southern Extension. Part 2
At the northern end of the southern extension adjoining the original boiler shop, are two much taller gabled sections built, probably c1908. These accommodated a tall hydraulic accumulator (used to power the numerous hydraulic presses, hoists and riveters in the vicinity) also a deep-throated hydraulic gap riveter used for mechanical riveting of circular boilers sections. This was possibly one of the machines moved across into the new boiler shop constructed in c1927. All of the boiler-making equipment has been removed from this area, but the high roof which is still evident today, speaks of a time when hundreds of new boilers were assembled in this area.
The plan from the RBA 2017 report and interior photo shown how the roof of the extension soared well above the southern wall of west block WB.
The B&W photos from the PROV files we believe were taken in the new boiler shop built over near the Nth Williamstown station c1927. The hydraulic gap rivetter shown could well be some of the equipment that was transferred from the WB boiler shop extension to the new building. The huge thick plate sections were rolled, then each circular section assembled on the gap rivetter, and finally the firebox section added.
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