This brick was photographed by Brian Thomas at the National Maritime Museum in Galle, Sri Lanka.
Allan & Mann, Port Eglinton, Glasgow.
Alternative brickworks include:
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Additional information – Patrick Pugh also photographed this brick while in situ at the Maritime Archaeological Museum in Galle, Sri Lanka.
The Museum includes video footage and extensive seabed finds from a Dutch wreck, the Avondster, which sank in Galle harbour in 1659. The wreck was discovered in 1993 and dived upon by an archaeological team between 1996 and 1999.
A whole section of the museum is dedicated to artefacts recovered from the wreck that lies 7m below the surface and 50m offshore. The brick batt is described by the museum as a “Rare type of a brick with some words embossed. Found from Avondster shipwreck and not known the utility of decorate brick”
Allan and Mann manufactured bricks during the 19th century so as Patrick points out, the Allan and Mann brick fragment is clearly not from the wreck of the Avondster, given the dates detailed.
More info on the wreck. Dutch bricks were found on board.
11/06/1899 – The night of the 11th June 1899 marked one of the greatest maritime tragedies off the port of Fremantle since the beginning of the Swan River Colony. A fierce gale blew from the northwest through the night wrecking two ships simultaneously with a horrendous loss of life. On the north coast of Rottnest…
Found by Ian Suddaby at Tamfourhill, Falkirk. This example is not in my possession. Roughcastle Firebrick Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. I believe this brick is manufactured for the South American Railway network. click here. FCCC also stands for the Central Cordoba Railway, Argentina. .
Found by Chris Shaw in the West Yorkshire area. I am not in possession of this example. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein & Co, Anchor Brickworks, Denny, Stirlingshire. Milnquarter Fireclay & Gannister Works, Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. (Note – SBH – I believe this was manufactured for…
Found by Magnus near Aberfeldy, Fife. This example is not in my possession. Unidentified brickworks. The find location would suggest Scottish origins but … There is a good likelihood that this brick was manufactured in Scotland for Mr George Hislop, gas manager, Paisley. Mr Hislop was well respected and renowned in his field. He took…
Found at High Bonnybridge. Unidentified manufacturer. The find location would suggest Scottish origins but … (Note – SBH – This was found among debris from the Bonnybridge Silica and Fire Clay Co. It was found among a mass of bricks stamped ‘Bonnybridge Brand’ and was quite likely manufactured by the BSFC Co). Could NR be…
Found at High Bonnybridge. Unidentified manufacture. The find location would suggest Scottish origins but … (Note – SBH – This was found among debris from the Bonnybridge Silica and Fire Clay Co. It was found among a mass of bricks stamped ‘Bonnybridge Brand’ and was quite likely manufactured by the BSFC Co). FCCA – Probably…
Found at High Bonnybridge. Unidentified manufacture. The find location would suggest Scottish origins but … (Note – SBH – This was found among debris from the Bonnybridge Silica and Fire Clay Co. It was found among a mass of bricks stamped ‘Bonnybridge Brand’ and was quite likely manufactured by the BSFC Co). FCAB – Probably…
Found by Ian Suddaby in Penicuik, Midlothian. This example is not in my possession. The reference to ‘Penicuik’ may well be a reference to the customer ordering the product. There might also be another letter stamped below the word ‘Bluebell’. Stein, Castlecary Fireclay Works, Castlecary, Stirlingshire. Stein, Manuel Firebrick and Refractory Works, Whitecross, Stirlingshire. Stein…
Found by Ian Suddaby in High Bonnybridge, Bonnybridge. This example is not in my possession. The manufacturer is unknown. The find location would suggest this is a Scottish product and manufactured by one of several fire brick makers in the area for the Indian Railways. It is possible that SIR may stand for South Indian…
Found in the High Bonnybridge area by Ian Suddaby. Unidentified manufacturer. The find location would suggest Scottish origins. Several brickworks in the Bonnybridge area manufactured fire bricks for the South American railway companies. FCB – Probably made for the South American railway network as per this link although it is uncertain exactly which South American…
