Low Dock

HER Number

2335

District

S Tyneside

Site Name

Low Dock

Place

South Shields

Map Sheet

NZ36NE

Class

Maritime

Site Type: Broad

Marine Construction Site

Site Type: Specific

Dry Dock

General Period

POST MEDIEVAL

Specific Period

Hanoverian 1714 to 1837

Form of Evidence

Documentary Evidence

Description

The first reference to the Low Dock is thought to be 1754 when Low Dock or Barkers Dock was probably the first graving dock in South Shields. Its history has been followed through to the early 19th century when the site became the location of the drops of the Stanhope and Tyne Railway (HER ref. 2336). Despite the construction of the drops, Low Dock continued in use until the end of 19th century, when the Tyne Dock Engineering Company began work on the site in 1889. Brigham and Cowan's Yard and dock was opened on the same site in 1905.

Easting

435940

Northing

567570

Grid Reference

NZ435940567570

Sources

<< HER 2335 >> 1st edition Ordnance Survey Map, c.1855, 6 inch scale, Durham, 4
I. Ayris, 1993, South Shields Riverside Masterplan - Tyne Dock Engineering Company...
The Archaeological Practice, 2002, Shipbuilding on Tyne and Wear - Prehistory to Present. Tyne & Wear Historic Environment Record.