Doxford and Sons Ltd, gatehouse
Doxford and Sons Ltd, gatehouse
HER Number
17218
District
Sunderland
Site Name
Doxford and Sons Ltd, gatehouse
Place
Pallion
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
Class
Maritime
Site Type: Broad
Marine Construction Site
Site Type: Specific
Dockyard
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Early 20th Century 1901 to 1932
Form of Evidence
Ruined Building
Description
This 'West Yard' was purchased by Doxford in 1869 (see HER 4693). The Doxford Shipyard gatehouse is a detached building, 2 storey, hipped roof with a central tri-partite gate opening, the centre gate being used by vehicles, the gates on either side for the ship yard workers. The gateway is formed of red brick with arched heads made up of red terracotta with large keystone features. The gate openings still retain the original decorative iron gates. On either side of the main block lie two storey elements standing forward of the main block with curved swept walls leading back to the pedestrian gates. The front façade is rendered (possibly a later addition). The roofscape includes two broad chimney stacks complete with tall pots.The gatehouse was built during the first decade of the 20th century during a recovery period following a fire at the Doxford Engine Works. It was the building where workers clocked in and out of their shifts using the Bundy clock. Ancillery buildings adjoined the north and south blocks of the gate - a brass foundry (north) and a drawing office (south) of which only adjoining walls survive. Recorded in 2015 ahead of proposed demolition for the Sunderland Strategic Corridor Scheme. The overall form of the building remains largely unchanged, although the positions of the doors and windows have been altered over time and the façade rendered. The interior was not surveyed in 2015 but it appears that little remains of the original historic interior. Building retains decorative brickwork and brick arches, iron gate, shipyard buzzers, one original chimney stack.
Easting
437640
Northing
557860
Grid Reference
NZ437640557860
Sources
Pers comm, Peter Derham, 24 August 2015; Northern Archaeological Associates, 2015, Doxford Gate, Doxford Engine House, Sunderland - Heritage Statement