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The other refining process that took place at the Ironworks
occurred in a forge building. An iron forge is an open hearth fire - much like
a backyard brick barbecue. Again iron, limestone and charcoal are added under
fire and air pressure but the temperature is lower and the iron softens into
a spongy mass called a "bloom". Blooms were then beaten with a trip
hammer, reheated and beaten into shaped merchant
bars. The forge had four hearth fires and two trip hammers operated by a total
of six waterwheels. It stood in the middle of the river with one wall on the
east shore and a bridge crossing over from the west shore. Today it is a rock
strewn island best seen from the path by the wheel houses.