Monument record 11003 - Boat Yard

A yard, possibly for the construction of boats is recorded to the north of the blacksmiths’ yard. First recorded on the OS town plans of the late 19th century, the yard consisted of a crane against the river front wall, an L shaped structure and a second rectangular structure forming an enclosed yard with two smaller structures to the west (1). Archaeological investigations in 2000 consisting of a survey of surviving buildings and historic features described the yard. The documentary research suggests the yard was formerly part of the Slate Yard, a ship building company operated by the Chester Leadworks Company. The yard contained a single shed in the early 19th century that was destroyed by fire in 1855. Subsequent rebuilding on the site consisted of the layout recorded on Ordnance Survey maps of the late 19th century when the site appears to have been taken over by the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company. (1,2)

The L shaped building is divided into two structures, that parallel to Roberts Terrace is of two storeys and built using man made brick with a blue slate roof. There is date stone in the north facing gable of 1880. The adjoining east-west building is a single storey warehouse. (3)

<1> L - P Archaeology, 2004, Old Port, Chester; Archaeological Excavation Report., R2731 (Client Report). SCH4847.

<2> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2001, Proposed Residential Redevelopment at New Crane Street, Chester: Rapid Appraisal of Upstanding Buildings, R3152 (Client Report). SCH6243.

<3> Matrix Archaeology, 2000, River Wall Restoration, Old Port, Chester: Archaeological Assessment and Watching Brief (Interim Report), R3160 Gaz 43 (Client Report). SCH6255.

<4> Birmingham Archaeology, 2002, Excavations at New Crane Street, Chester, Cheshire, 2002, R3136 (Client Report). SCH6319.

<5> Matrix Archaeology, 2001, Buildings at Dee Lock, Old Port, Chester: Historic Buildings Assessment (Final Report), R3151 (Client Report). SCH6242.

<6> Hewitson C & Scruby A., 2008, The development of the Waterfront on the river Dee: Excavations at New Crane Street, Chester (Article in Journal). SCH6099.