They are actual fuses mate...they're oblong in shape and are mounted to a busbar and are the main live supplies to the fuse box....

Ford did away with fusible links on the Escort and fitted proper fuses so there is no fear of them being over heated and crispy ducked.....the problem lies else where IMO....

If there is only 11.8 volts at the battery then it isn't charging........

Just a thought too....older Fords won't charge unless the battery light circuit is fully operational..... obviously if the circuit is breaking down once the car is running that you're not going to see itcome on to warn that it isn't charging....you could make your own battery warning light as a test just to eliminate it.....take a fused live feed to a bulb (12v , needs to be the same wattage as the bulb in the dash which will be no more than 5 watts) then earth the bulb to the battery warning lamp terminal on the alternator (blue wire)....disconnect the Ford wire temporarily while you do this test.......run the car and the bulb should operate in exactly the same was as the dash lamp bulb......if it charges properly then your fault is in the battery warning light circuit (which passes through the fuse box)......