KENT HISTORY

Paper

Kent has its fair share of rivers which has led to more than a few paper mills being established in the Kent area. Paper mills were sited beside a source of clean water and close to a quay where the imported wood pulp could be unloaded.

One such mill is Turkey Mill in Maidstone it became the by far the largest paper mill in England in the late 1800s, it pulped paper using massive steam powered machines. Towards the end of 1886 Carl Ekman had pioneered the production of paper from wood-pulp using a sulphite process and built a new paper mill at North Fleet.

Cement

James Parker who was from North Fleet, Kent patented Roman cement in 1796. It was so named because the ingredients of the cement were similar to that used by the Romans century’s before, which was capable of setting under water.

Joseph Aspdin patented Portland cement in 1824 and production was set up at North Fleet, in early 1846, this was in order to be close to sources of the raw materials of chalk and clay. Many lime works were also converted to cement making. A large number of cement works were set up on the Medway and between Dartford and Gravesend. Cement for Kent used to be shipped by water to all parts of the world.

Whitstable Divers

In 1823 ship caulker Charles Deane, from Deptford Kent, invented and patented a head set for breathing in a smoke filled room in. Charles and his brother John then went on to develop a pump and helmet for breathing underwater and got together with the well know boatmen of Whitstable to test it. During the 1830s, this gang Whitstable diver’s salvaged treasure from many shipwrecks, including the Royal George and the Mary Rose at Portsmouth.

Leo Wharf Owner of Blinds Kent

Article Source: EzineArticles.com