South Shields, West Docks

HER Number:
2293

District:
S Tyneside

Site Name:
South Shields, West Docks

Place:
South Shields

Map Sheet:
NZ36NE

Class:
Maritime

Site Type: Broad:
Dock and Harbour Installation

Site Type: Specific:
Dock

General Period:
Early Modern

Specific Period:
C19

Form of Evidence:
Documentary Evidence

Description:
The first shipyard on the site was constructed in 1811 by the owners, messrs. Nicholson and Horn. It was put up for sale in 1817 when it was described as containing: "three spacious dry docks capable of holding one ship of 500 tons register, or two of 250 tons each. Two slipways for building; timber pond; spacious and convenient proprietor's house, workmen's houses, smith's shops mould lofts, cranes etc." Between 1818 and 1880, the site was owned by the Young's. Readhead's bought it in 1880 and developed the yard to produce iron ships (see HER ref. No. 2294). In this conversion all the existing dry docks were infilled and two slipways added (making, in all, four berths). There is good map evidence for the appearance of the site, including Wood's Plan of South Shields in 1827 and the subsequent Ordnance Survey Map Series from the 1850s onwards. The site is still in use, most recently dealing with the assembly of oil rig components.

Easting:
3540

Northing:
6604

Grid Reference:
NZ35406604

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 2293 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 3 The Archaeological Practice, 2002, Shipbuilding on Tyne and Wear - Prehistory to Present. Tyne & Wear Historic Environment Record.