Description and History of Site:-
4-storey with basement, by T.R. Smith, 1873. Houses testing machine designed by David Kirkaldy (1820-1897), native of Mayfield near Dundee. Machine, built 1864/65 by Greenwood & Batley of Leeds, is 47 ft 6 in long, 4 ft 3.5 in wide, ram stroke of 3 ft through 12:1 leverage to steel yard. Maximum pull of 1 million lbs. Machine first installed nearby in The Grove, opened 25 November 1865. Southwark St. building opened 1 January 1874. Machine used in Tay Bridge disaster investigations, 1879. Last used 1964, closed 1974. Upper floors of building reused as offices since 1984 but machine (workable), ground floor and basement form the testing museum.

Further Reading and References:-
Falconer, Keith. 'Guide to England's Industrial Heritage'. Batsford, 1980

See http://www.testingmuseum.org.uk

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Key Words :- Testing Works, testing machine

Viewing the Site :- Occasional open days

Address :- 99 Southwark Street, London, Greater London, SE1 0JF
Grid Ref :- TQ 31855 80268
Co-ordinates :- Lat 51.505970 , Long -0.101542
Local Authority :- Southwark London Borough Council
Pre 1974 County :- Greater London Council
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II*
Historic England List No - 1385928,
Site Condition :- Site conserved and open to the public
Site Dates :- 1874 -
Record Date :- 2 June 2018

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