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Glassworks and Stone Quarry, Port Raleigh
Fuzzy MacFuzz posted a topic in Brethren of the Brick Seas
20160322_084423 (2) by Chris Warburton Brown, on Flickr [NB, for reasons that will become apparent in my Challenge 2 entry, this letter is dated before the arrival of the reinforcement marines at Port Raleigh and the building of Fort Redoubtable] To Viscount Oxley Dated this last day of February in the 616th year After Empire Sir, I have been here for almost a week now and wanted to write to update you on our progress. Things here are still in a most primitive state. Except for the Government House, there are no buildings to speak of. We are short of every resource required for civilised living. Luckily some enterprising gentlemen have established the Merryweather Lumberjack Company so we have wood of all kinds, and even charcoal. The lack of horses and oxen is particularly trying, all must be moved by Herculean physical labour. And before anything can be built, the dense jungle must be cleared by hand. Nevertheless, with every passing day we improve the place. 20160321_223554 (2) by Chris Warburton Brown, on Flickr The most pressing need is for housing, most here are living in tents made from sails or rough wood cabins. Anticipating this, before leaving Corrington I was able to engage the services of three excellent artisans. Firstly, the brothers Edward and Thomas Strong, both master masons. The Strongs took no time in opening a quarry and constructing an impressive wooden crane to lift the stone from the ground. 20160322_084003 (2) by Chris Warburton Brown, on Flickr Above: The quarry. Edward Strong (bottom left) is supervising the extraction of stone. Without horses, oxen, or powered machinery this is back breaking work for all involved. Secondly, Mister George Ravenscroft, a window glass maker. Mr Ravenscroft, a widower, has brought his two sons and two daughters with him, and all are engaged in his business. He and his sons have thrown up a glass kiln without delay; they assure me that the sand here is perfect for their craft and even now the first panes are appearing. 20160322_083953 (2) by Chris Warburton Brown, on Flickr Above: The glass works. George Ravenscroft the Elder is spinning crown glass while his son George the Younger is cutting the spun glass into panes. At the kiln William Ravenscroft is melting the next ball of glass ready for his father. The youngest sibling, Lily, is sweeping the floor while dreaming of running away to become a pirate. The fourth sibling, Isabella, is out of shot, pushing a handcart of glass panes up to Port Raleigh. I can assure you sir that we all labour without stint for the good of our mother country, and that soon streets of big fine houses will appear in Port Raleigh that will do Corrington proud. Any resources you can send us will surely hasten this endeavour; in particular we need good food, good wine, good horses, and good men. I remain your humble and obedient servant, John Hawksbrugh 20160322_132445 (2) by Chris Warburton Brown, on Flickr Above: John Hawksbrugh is delighted wih the rapid progress being made. With stone, timber and window glass now available house building can begin very soon, and he is already dreaming up grand designs. 20160322_132155 (2) by Chris Warburton Brown, on Flickr Above: A wider view of the beach at Port Raleigh