Built between 1698 and 1704, the furnace formed part of a trade syndicate in Yorkshire centered on the Spencers of Cannon Hall. It operated until 1741 with Charcoal as fuel.
It is thought that the furnace operated again around 1790, using coke fuel, to produce gun casting.
Rockley Furnace made Cast Iron in the eighteenth century, using ores mined in the same valley and charcoal from the surrounding woodlands.
This furnace was probably built about 1700, for by 1704 there would appear to have been two furnaces in the valley, the other having been started in 1652, 500 metres to the west.
Ghost Sightings
GHOSTLY FIGURES,ORBS,WEIRD LIGHTS.. BLUE LIGHTS SEEN FROM THE OLD ENGINE TOWER. STRANGE SMELLS. MISTS
Interesting enough lee,phil and john did a ITC here here last year and during this session witches and witchcraft was mentioned.
The graffiti here is new, there is antichrist signs on at least two of the walls, we are unsure if witchcraft or some kind of rituals may be taking place here at present. Some graffiti is even in triangles and the furnace itself would make it perfect for a such a place as it is also triangular in shape. Trees also seem to be marked red leading to the actual furnace from the tower……this is something we will be looking more into
