Toby Gill, supposed slipways

Local residents believe that shipbuilding slipways exist on the foreshore of the River Wear. Two channels (4m x 60m) are said to be carved into the rock in the river bed at an angle. Iron tools have been collected. The site has yet to be inspected by the County Archaeologist but the photographs submitted to the HER seem only to show natural fissures in the limestone bedrock. D. Wilson notes that the river was wider at this point. The name Offerton could be a corruption of Aufladen (Offloaden) meaning offloading. Inspect the site.