The Ironworks
Although the working day at an ironworks starts early, by the time the sun rises, the heat of the furnaces is already oppressive. The molten iron inside is bright, yet the glow of the orange flames casts long shadows, giving the foundry an eerie quality that suggests of an impending industrial blast.
The working day at the ironworks begins in the stove where the iron ore is heated to an almost liquid state. This is known as coke burning and requires intense, constant heat. The process is diligently overseen by a team of workers who watch carefully the heat levels and pay careful attention to the ore to ensure there are no flaws in the process.
Once the coke burning is complete, the molten iron is then drawn off from the stove and sent along a set of troughs. Along the way, the iron is treated by several different processes such as increased oxygen and further heating as it is prepared for transport to the molding area. The process of pouring iron into the molds is dangerous and requires intense focus as the liquid metal needs to be cooled incredibly quickly to form the desired shapes. All in all, the process of manufacturing iron can take up to several hours and requires a masterful eye.
Once all the desired shapes have been achieved, the ironworks is then ready to move the metal to their storage room. As the molten iron is left to cool and harden, the ironworks can proceed to how the iron will be used or shipped to create a variety of items from custom wrought iron fences to the support girders for large structures.
Working at an ironworks is a tough, hot and arduous job that requires strength, skill, technique and an understanding of the production process. But perhaps the most important trait of all is the passion for this dying craft and the willingness to persevere and not give up, no matter how difficult the working conditions can become. There is a real sense of pride in knowing that the resulting product is going to be part of something that withstands the test of time.
No matter how difficult or labor-intensive the ironworks can be, there is a unique sense of accomplishment that comes with seeing the production process start to finish and seeing the end product come to life. It provides a feeling of peace and contentment knowing that a batch of iron ore can be transformed into something that could last a lifetime.
