South Shields, Roman port

HER Number:
910

District:
S Tyneside

Site Name:
South Shields, Roman port

Place:
South Shields

Map Sheet:
NZ36NE

Class:
Maritime

Site Type: Broad:
Dock and Harbour Installation

Site Type: Specific:
Port

General Period:
Roman

Specific Period:

Form of Evidence:
Implied Evidence

Description:
The existence of a Roman port on the south bank of the Tyne at South Shields is presumed from the fort's role as a supply-base for, originally, the armies of Septimius Severus and, eventually, Hadrian's Wall. Richmond suggested that such a port was probably at Mill Dam, formerly a tidal inlet and focus of the medieval settlement. Speak prefers the one-time site of Hospital Quay at the end of Fowler St/Mile End Road, which ran straight to the Lawe from the direction of Sunderland. He points out that such a port would be extensive, and contain quays, roads, boat-houses, granaries, warehouses, etc. All this is yet supposition. The 1990 excavations north of Wapping Street produced only one sherd, and no Roman structures. Speak suggests the Roman river frontage could be actually under Wapping Street.

Easting:
361

Northing:
679

Grid Reference:
NZ361679

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
<< HER 910 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham IV I.A. Richmond, 1934, The Roman Fort at South Shields, Archaeologia Aeliana, 4, XI, S. Speak, 1990, The Roman Port at South Shields