31. North end of site from the chimney top. Visible below are the foundations for the fitters’ shop and salle, the Ferry Inn with the steps leading down to the water for the ferry. Across the river is the moribund brick and cement works of the erstwhile West Kent Portland Cement Co Ltd, formerly West Kent Gault Brick and Cement Co Ltd, which closed around 1905 (https://www.cementkilns.co.uk/cement_kiln_aylesford.html), the landing stage for the ferry and footpath leading away towards Eccles. The creek on the right is the downstream end of the original Medway meander, cut off by the Upper and Middle Cuts, along which APM was built. This isolated meander led to the existence of the Island site.
A sailing barge tied up against the new wharf seen under construction in photos 1 and 2, and beyond the piling across the bay in the river bank which will be filled in to extend the wharf along, behind the Ferry Inn. Beyond the Ferry Inn is a wharf and barns(?) which I have not been able to identify on old maps but which appear to be in use for the delivery of materials for the mill construction, note there is a steam crane on the wharf there. This area later became the building dept. stores and Blackhorse Yard, leading to the export shed just before the bend in the river.
