See also a general history of the Frindsbury cement plants. This was the first Portland cement plant on the Medway. Johnson’s original plant had four bottle kilns, and this had expanded to nine by 1868. Preston gives an interesting account of early production at the plant, which is probably characteristic of other such early enterprises:
Year
tonnes
1851
700
1852
2130
1853
1220
1854
1960
1855
1330
1856
1000
1857
880
1858
530
The early kilns were small, making 12.5 tonnes a week each, so four could in theory make 2500 tonnes per annum. Roman Cement was also made, and given that it was still more popular than Portland at this time, it is likely that the remaining capacity was largely used in its production. Johnson developed the plant in co-operation with George Burge and his son of the same name, and the latter went on to develop the other Frindsbury plants in co-operation with William Tingey, who owned the mineral rights for the peninsula. Burge and Tingey jointly owned the Rochester Chalk Company which operated the quarries.
A further five bottle kilns were added by 1868. In 1875, three Johnson chamber kilns were built over the original drying flats. All subsequent chamber kilns were of Burge's double-deck design. Three were installed in 1876, seven in 1877, four in 1881, and seven in 1889, when the bottle kilns were abandoned. In 1899, the original experimental chamber kilns were abandoned. Two new kilns were added in 1901 and six in 1903 – a total of 29, with a capacity of 841 t/week. The site was merged into that of Crown and Quarry in 1907.
Power supply
The original plant inherited an early beam engine from the pre-existing oil mill. It remained directly driven eventually having a 200 HP engine for raw milling and a 400 HP engine for finish milling.
Rawmills
Two washmills and a screener milled chalk and clay together, followed by flat stones.
At the time of the APCM takeover, the plant was assessed for building insurance. In the Rochester Bridge Commissioners' Archive, item E14/01/117 includes a schedule and plan. The schedule describes the plant with reference to the sketch plan. The details from the latter have been re-drawn on the Ordnance survey map. The original plant, as commenced by I. C. Johnson, is shown in red.
Base map courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. View in higher definition. It is noteworthy that the buildings at the north end of the plant associated with chalk and clay washmilling are not included in the schedule.
Proposal for Insurance in the Kent Fire Office of the various Buildings of Cement Works, known as the "Frindsbury Cement Works", at Frindsbury near Rochester in the occupation of Messrs W. Tingey & Son, and belonging to the Wardens and Commonalty of Rochester Bridge.
section
£. s. d.
On the building marked 1 on plan occupied as lumber store, and Carpenters' shop - Concrete & Iron - Timber & Tiles
150-0-0
On the building marked 2 on plan occupied as Boiler House - Brick - Timber & Corrugated Iron roof
300-0-0
On the building marked 3 on plan occupied as Engine House - Brick and Tiled
500-0-0
On buildings communicating marked 4, 5. 5a on Plan occupied as: Cement Shed - Concrete & Iron, with Timber Weather Boarded & Iron end Dry Mill Brick & Stone - Slate roof Sack Store Concrete & Iron - with Timber and Weather Boarded Front
2100-0-0
On buildings marked 6 & 7 occupied as Sack Store, & for drying and mending Concrete & Slate - Concrete & Iron
Base map courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. View in higher definition. It is noteworthy that the buildings at the north end of the plant associated with chalk and clay washmilling are not included in the schedule.