The development of the Wirral Waters project has unearthed some interesting foundations on the Wallasey side of the docks near the Tower Rd bridge.

Evidence of early industrial developments that were discovered include:

> The foundational remains of The Seacombe Smalt Works which were established in the early 19th century to produce smalt (an inorganic pigment), which was at the time an important pigment used in European oil painting.

> The remains of an iron, lead and copper works which had been established during the 1820s. Following its initial use to produce lead, the works were then acquired by John Bibby & Co to produce copper. Products offered included copper-plated hulls for wooden ships.

> An alkali works which had been established during the early to mid-19th century.

Commenting on the findings of the archaeological investigation, Richard Mawdsley, Director of Development at Wirral Waters at Peel L&P, said:

“The Wirral has a strong industrial heritage; a heritage which we have seen first-hand thanks to the findings of this archaeological investigation. Wirral Waters in collaboration with our partners SoilFix are committed to documenting and recording this heritage so that it may inform some of the research objectives outlined in the current North West Regional Research Framework for historians and archaeologists.”

“A lot of analytical work will need to be carried out on the samples that have been taken from the excavation but, once completed, this will undoubtedly be hailed as one of the most important investigations of a historic industrial site in Merseyside in recent times. I’m immensely grateful to Peel L&P and SoilFix for facilitating this important and unique excavation.”

I didn't realise that there was any heavy industry in Wallasey before the docks were built. How would they transport it? Did Wallasey pool have moorings for boats/ships?
https://www.wirralwaters.co.uk/news...hed-wirral-waters-northbank-development/

Before the development of the docks, the creek of Wallasey Pool was used as a sheltered anchorage for small boats and fishing vessels. Because the creek was tidal, boats would probably have been beached there at low water.

A map of 1844 shows on the northern (Wallasey) shore of the pool a copper rolling mill, a gum works, a varnish manufactory and an iron foundry.

There was a small pier near the mouth of the pool on the Wallasey side, presumably where vessels could berth and load or unload.

On the south (Birkenhead) shore just inland from Woodside there was a lime works, a patent slip owned by a group of shipwrights (which allowed boats to be hauled out of the water) and – at the extreme end of Livingstone Street – the boilermaking yard of William Laird, which became the famous shipbuilding firm.

When the proposals came to enclose Wallasey Pool and build docks, it was planned to build a harbour next to the Woodside ferry so that small boats which had previously sheltered in the pool could find a safe anchorage.

With the development of the docks, Laird realised the enclosed pool would now be no good for a shipbuilding yard and moved his works to the Mersey shore between Monk’s Ferry and Tranmere Pool.

Just found this on the history of Wallasey website.

"Away from the Village, close to the entrance of the Wallasey Pool to the Mersey, was the Smalt Works of Mawdsley and Smith, the only industrial works shown on the Enclosure Map of 1823 and the predecessor of the important and commercial activities if those part of modern Wallasey. It is possible, however, that the Copper Works of John Bibby, Sons and Company, were already in existence. Woods and Brown state that these were founded in 1812 and existed until about 1863. They are not shown on the 1823 Map but appear on the 1841 Map near Creek Side, off Dock Road."

https://www.archaeology.co.uk/articles/out-of-the-blue-the-seacombe-smalt-works.htm

Would it have been used in conjunctions with the pottery works in Seacombe ? Not sure of dates or even if it would but seems to indicate when ground as pigment it can become blue coloured glass.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobalt_glass

Wasn't Seacombe Pottery blue ?