2-979-648 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Blasting the Granite Rock, 1857. 'One of the vast natural depots is the granite quarries at Rubislaw (pronounced Robsley), within a mile of Aberdeen [in Scotland]...The area already worked is several acres in extent; and from these quarries is procured the grey granite, called Aberdeen granite...After the operation of blasting...the larger blocks are again split, by means of wedges, which are driven in with forge-like hammers...The smaller blocks are then shaped in the quarry, and afterwards conveyed on board ship at Aberdeen. Large quantities are transported to London and other cities, where it is used for building purposes, or for the contruction of macadamised and other roads...Rubislaw quarry is wrought by Messrs. John Gibb and Son, civil engineers, who are engaged in the pavement trade'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.