archaeological watching brief - cotswold archaeology · 1.3 millbay docks are located to the east...

Millbay DocksMillbay Road

Plymouth

Archaeological Watching Brief

April 2013

for

on behalf of Magna Chartered Surveyors

English Cities Fund (General Partner) Ltd

CA Project: 4115 CA Report: 13062

Millbay Docks Millbay Road

Plymouth

Archaeological Watching Brief

CA Project: 4115 CA Report: 13062

prepared by Donal Lucey, Assistant Heritage Consultant

date 25 March 2013

checked by Laurent Coleman, Project Manager

date 5 April 2013

approved by Simon Cox, Head of Fieldwork

signed

date 5 April 2013

issue 01

This report is confidential to the client. Cotswold Archaeology accepts no responsibility or liability to any third party to whom this report, or any part of it, is made known. Any such party relies upon this report entirely

at their own risk. No part of this report may be reproduced by any means without permission.

© Cotswold Archaeology

Cirencester Milton Keynes Andover Building 11 Unit 4 Office 49

Kemble Enterprise Park Cromwell Business Centre Basepoint Business Centre Kemble, Cirencester Howard Way, Newport Pagnell Caxton Close, Andover Gloucestershire, GL7 6BQ MK16 9QS Hampshire, SP10 3FG t. 01285 771022 t. 01908 218320 t. 01264 326549 f. 01285 771033

e. [email protected]


1

Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth: Archaeological Watching Brief

CONTENTS

SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 2

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 3

The site ................................................................................................................ 3

Archaeological background .................................................................................. 4

The Great Western Docks ................................................................................... 5

Methodology ........................................................................................................ 6

2. RESULTS (FIGS 3-5) .......................................................................................... 7

3. DISCUSSION ....................................................................................................... 8

4. CA PROJECT TEAM ........................................................................................... 8

5. REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 8

APPENDIX A: OASIS REPORT FORM ........................................................................... 10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Fig. 1 Site location plan (1:25,000)

Fig. 2 The site, showing location of Dredge Area (1:12,500)

Fig. 3 Photograph: General view of lock barrel showing Dredge Area, looking south-east

Fig. 4 Photograph: Timber 3

Fig. 5 Photograph: Timber 6


2


SUMMARY

Project Name: Millbay Docks

Location: Millbay Road, Plymouth

NGR: SX 4680 5410

Type: Watching Brief

Date: 11-15 February 2013

Marine License: L/2012/00316/1

Location of Archive: To be deposited with Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery

Accession Number: AR.2013.6

Site Code: MDP 13

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during dredging

of the approach channel and lock barrel of Millbay Inner Basin, Millbay Docks, Millbay Road,

Plymouth.

Two large timbers, probably associated with dock or lock gate structures, were dredged from

the northern end of the lock barrel.

Two finds, which later proved to be modern objects, were recovered during the dredging

works.


3


1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 In February 2013 Cotswold Archaeology (CA) carried out an archaeological

watching brief for Magna Chartered Surveyors on behalf of the English Cities Fund

(General Partner) Ltd at Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth (centred on NGR:

SX 4680 5410; Fig. 1). The archaeological watching brief was undertaken to fulfil

conditions (3.13 and 3.2.6) attached to a Marine License (License Number

L/2012/00316/1) granted by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for

dredging in the approach channel and lock barrel (the Dredge Area). The objectives

of the watching brief were to monitor dredging operations and to identify, investigate

and record all significant archaeological remains/artefacts revealed within the

Dredge Area.

1.2 The watching brief was carried out in accordance with a detailed Written Scheme of

Investigation (WSI) produced by CA (2013) and approved by the Marine

Management Organisation acting on the advice of English Heritage (EH). The

fieldwork also followed Marine Aggregate Dredging and the Historic Environment

(BMAPA and EH 2003), Protocol for Reporting Finds of Archaeological Interest

(BMAPA and EH 2005), Model Clauses for Archaeological Written Schemes of

Investigation: Offshore Renewables Projects (Crown Estate and WA 2010),

Standards and guidance for an archaeological watching brief (IfA 2008), the

Management of Archaeological Projects 2 (English Heritage 1991), and the

Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project

Manager’s Guide (EH 2006).

The site

1.3 Millbay Docks are located to the east of the Stonehouse Peninsular c. 1.5km to the

west of the historic core of Plymouth. Further docks and harbours are located to the

west (Stonehouse and Devonport) and the east (Sutton Harbour and Cattewater).

The initial engineering works extended over an area of approximately 4.5ha,

comprising the Inner Basin at Millbay and associated structures. Millbay Docks are

bounded to the east by East Quay, to the south by the northern part of Plymouth

Sound, to the west by the Ferry Terminal and to the north by North Quay and Millbay

Road. The Dredge Area is located within the lock barrel and the approach channel

to the south-east (Fig. 1).


4


Archaeological background

1.4 Millbay originated as a natural inlet, lying to the south of a large area of marshland

recorded in early documents as the ‘Sourpool’. The earliest documentary sources

record the erection of a mill at the neck between the Sourpool and the inlet in the

12th century. This mill appears to be the origin of the name Millbay, and probably

remained in existence until the 18th century (Langley and Small, 1987). A 1796

landscape watercolour records two small buildings across a causeway in the north-

eastern area of the inlet, which may be these mill buildings (Plymouth City Museum

and Art Gallery (PCMAG) collection). The Sourpool was drained in the 16th century,

concurrently with the construction of Union Street across the former marshland

(Langley and Small 1987).

1.5 Drake’s Leat, constructed in the late 16th century, brought fresh water to Plymouth

from the River Meavy, to the north. The course of the leat extended from the river,

was tapped by several mills, and emptied into the Millbay inlet, probably along the

eastern quay, within the site (Langley and Small 1987).

1.6 Plymouth was besieged as a Parliamentary stronghold during the civil war, and the

town’s other harbours further east (Sutton Harbour and the River Cattewater) were

within range of the Royalist batteries on Mount Batten, to the south. Millbay was the

nearest natural harbour out of range. Hollar’s 1643 map of the Civil War siege-works

is the earliest documentary evidence for its use as a harbour and it remained in use

throughout the war (PCMAG collection). No port features or jetties are recorded on

this source, and it is likely that any such features were temporary.

1.7 Following the end of the Civil War, the main flow of marine traffic reverted to the

traditional harbours to the east, and Millbay returned to being a small inlet (Langley

and Small 1987). The south-western area of the inlet (approximately in the area of

the north-west corner of the Inner Basin) was used as a dockyard by John Smeaton

during the construction of the Eddystone lighthouse in the late 18th century (PCMAG

collections, map of 1788). The south-western side was further developed for small

marine traffic during the construction of the Georgian Longroom and the Marine

barracks, which lie to the west of the site (PCMAG collections; view of 1796).

1.8 The earliest evidence for substantial dock development at Millbay is from Elliott’s

1825 map of Plymouth, which records the ‘Union Dock’ in the north-eastern area of

Millbay, bordered by Martin and Phoenix Streets (PCMAG collections). This small

triangular facility appears to have been short lived, and was filled in by 1849 (map of


5


that year, PCMAG collections). No further information on this dock was available,

and the area is now a modern development. Dockyard development also took place

along the eastern quay, which was made necessary by continuing limestone

quarrying at West Hoe, requiring barges to transport the extracted mineral. The

quarry owner, Thomas Gill, opened an access channel in the south-eastern area,

near to what is now the Trinity Pier, and established a canal and some limited dock

facilities. This facility was filled in during the 1870s (Langley and Small 1987). Gill

was also behind the construction of the Millbay Pier in 1844 at the entrance to the

bay, the first of the large steamship piers at Millbay, which was later joined by Trinity

Pier and Brunel’s pontoon (ibid). Millbay Pier is situated outside of the site to the

south.

The Great Western Docks

1.9 In the mid and late 19th century, the need for larger dock facilities led to proposals

for a large floating harbour and dry (graving) dock, as well as associated piers and

jetties. After several schemes were rejected (including one by Rendel in 1837),

design works by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (Brunel 1851-4) commenced in 1846,

and construction followed. Langley and Small, suggest that this was shortly

afterwards, but the design drawing dates suggest not until 1854 or shortly before.

Construction involved the creation of a temporary dam across the basin, allowing

construction of the retaining wall for the floating harbour. Part of this dam was

retained adjacent to the eastern dock wall to form the Trinity Pier. The dock was

completed in 1857, although the gates were damaged and sunk during a storm in

1858, and then replaced (Langley and Small 1987). The gates were single and did

not form a lock, meaning traffic could only enter the Inner Basin when the water

levels had been equalised, which would be from mid flood to mid ebb tide. Brunel

also designed a floating pontoon to facilitate dock traffic, which remained in place

until 2005, before being broken up (Passmore 2005). The installation of railway lines

to all parts of the dock was completed by 1880

1.10 The original entrance into the Inner Basin was situated towards the east, requiring

an awkward turn to enter the harbour. In 1896 work began on designing a new,

more central entrance, complete with lock gates, to allow access to the basin at any

time; and a powered swing bridge, all of which seem to have been completed in

1902. The old entrance was blocked up, but the blocking had to be renewed in 1906

(drawing labelled GW1 “Millbay Docks Inner Basin, Elevation and Section of Old


6


Entrance” has an annotation pointing this out; supplied by Buro Happold, no further

reference).

1.11 The harbour saw significant use during WWII, and was heavily bombed. A large

area of the western floating harbour was infilled after, leaving the floating harbour

slightly over half its original size. A modern ferry terminal was constructed in the

western area of the outer dock (partly over the site of the graving dock) in the late

20th century.

1.12 Part of one wall of the 19th-century dock was identified during geotechnical works

undertaken in 2009 (PCC 2009).

1.13 The earlier phase of archaeological watching brief (CA 2011) identified the blocking

of the original entrance to the Inner Basin of 1857, as well as the western end of the

eastern wall of the entrance and the original dock gates which were incorporated

into the new section of wall when the entrance to the dock was moved in the late

19th century. In addition, the watching brief recorded the remains of two large

wooden gates that were dredged from the Inner Basin. These are thought to

represent either the original lock gates which were damaged and sunk during a

storm in 1858, or, more probably, those associated with a graving dock located on

the western side of the Inner Basin. A section of long, timber piles braced together

with iron rods and plates was also recovered and recorded.

1.14 The building recording survey recorded the remains of the Swing Bridge Arm

associated with the relocated entrance to the Inner Basin and the walls of the

entrance itself. Great Western Railway (GWR) engineering office design drawings

for the bridge and the new entrance to the dock were located and provided further

details no longer extant.

Methodology

1.15 The fieldwork followed the methodology set out within the WSI (CA 2013).

1.16 The watching brief comprised the observation by a competent archaeologist of

dredging operations, primarily visual scanning of the up-cast dredged during daylight

hours. Where dredge operations took place at night, objects of potential

archaeological significance were to be recovered by the dredger crew and placed on


7


the deck of the dredger for inspection by the archaeologist the following morning.

Guidance for the crew was provided by a competent archaeologist in reference to

procedures for identifying material of potential archaeological interest and

appropriate care of such material as detailed within the Protocol for Reporting finds

of Archaeological Interest published by the British Marine Aggregates Producers

Association and English Heritage (2005). The archaeologist was to be called

immediately if potentially highly significant archaeological remains were identified.

1.17 Observations and/or artefact locations were established from the location of the

dredger as recorded by the vessels onboard navigation system.

1.18 Archaeological remains/artefacts which were identified were recorded in accordance

with Technical Manual 1 Fieldwork Recording Manual (CA 2007). Each artefact was

recorded on a pro-forma sheet by written and measured description supplemented,

as appropriate, by scale drawings to indicate the relationship between multiple

artefacts. Photographs were taken of each recovered artefact. Artefacts were

recovered and retained for processing and analysis in accordance with Technical

Manual 3 Treatment of Finds Immediately after Excavation (CA 1995). Specific

attention was paid to the conservation requirements of the artefacts.

1.19 The archive and artefacts from the watching brief are currently held by CA at their

offices in Kemble. Subject to the agreement of the legal owner the artefacts will be

deposited with the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery along with the site

archive. A summary of information from this project, set out within Appendix A, will

be entered onto the OASIS online database of archaeological projects in Britain.

2. RESULTS (FIGS 3-5)

2.1 Dredging works within the lock barrel (Figs 2 and 3) recovered the remains of two

similar rebated timbers, Timber 3 (Fig. 4), Timber 6 (Fig. 5). Timber 3 was found with

the tangled remains of iron strapping. They were discovered just inside the northern

end of the lock barrel, Timber 3 at SX 53970 246780 and Timber 6 at SX 53985

246785. A terminal of Timber 3 was heavily damaged and both were damaged on

the inner face. Timber 3 measured 4.5m in length, 0.35m in width and 0.25m in

height. Timber 6 measured 4.45m in length, 0.32m in width and 0.17m in height.

2.2 A great deal of modern detritus was observed and not retained, including modern

timbers (including Timbers 1, 2, 4 and 5). Two artefacts were retained, but were later


8


found to be 20th century in date and of no archaeological value, and have not been

retained.

3. DISCUSSION

3.1 The programme of archaeological works associated with the dredging at Millbay

Docks has identified two rebated timbers (Timbers 3 and 6) which were recovered

from just inside the northern end of the 1902 lock barrel. The rebating and metal

strapping indicates that they may have been fitted to perpendicular timbers. They

may be remnants of dock pilings or bracings, or they may be related to the remains

of two wooden gates, with associated iron strapping, which were recovered from

within the Inner Basin a short distance to the north during the previous watching

brief (CA 2011). The gates were similar in construction to those of the original

blocked entrance to the Inner Basin, located to the east of the Dredge Area,

although due to their height (5m) it is believed more likely that they were associated

with the Graving Dock which was located in the western area of the Inner Basin (CA

2011, 11).

4. CA PROJECT TEAM

Fieldwork was undertaken by Donal Lucey. The report was written by Donal Lucey.

The illustrations were prepared by Jon Bennett. The archive has been compiled and

prepared for deposition by James Johnson. The project was managed for CA by

Laurent Coleman.

5. REFERENCES

BMAPA and EH 2003 Marine Aggregate Dredging and the Historic Environment

BMAPA and EH 2005 Protocol for Reporting Finds of Archaeological Interest

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2011 Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth: Archaeological

Watching Brief and Historic Building, CA Report No. 10188

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth: Written Scheme

of Investigation for an Archaeological Watching Brief


9


Crown Estates and Wessex Archaeology (WA) 2010 Model Clauses for Archaeological

Written Schemes of Investigation: Offshore Renewables Projects

English Heritage 1991Management of Archaeological Projects 2

EH 2006 Management of Research Projects in the Historic Environment (MORPHE): Project

Manager’s Guide

IfA 2008 Standard and guidance for an archaeological watching brief

Langley, M. and Small, E. 1987 Port of Plymouth: Millbay Docks

Passmore, A. J. 2005 Archaeological recording of a 19th-century Pontoon at Millbay Docks.

Exeter Archaeology typescript report


10


APPENDIX A: OASIS REPORT FORM

PROJECT DETAILS Project Name Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth: Archaeological Watching

Brief. Short description

An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by Cotswold Archaeology during dredging of the approach channel and lock barrel of Millbay Inner Basin, Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth. Two large timbers, probably associated with dock or lock gate structures, were dredged from the northern end of the lock barrel. Two finds, which later proved to be modern objects, were recovered during the dredging works.

Project dates February 2013. Project type

Archaeological Watching Brief by Cotswold Archaeology, Site Code MDP 13

Previous work

Archaeological Watching Brief and Building Recording (CA 2011).

Future work

PROJECT LOCATION Site Location Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth Study area (M2/ha) Site co-ordinates (8 Fig Grid Reference) SX 4680 5410

PROJECT CREATORS Name of organisation Cotswold Archaeology Project Brief originator None Project Design (WSI) originator CA

Project Manager Laurent Coleman Project Supervisor Donal Lucey MONUMENT TYPE None SIGNIFICANT FINDS None PROJECT ARCHIVES Intended final location of archive

(museum/Accession no.)

Content (e.g. pottery, animal bone etc)

Physical - - Paper Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery Context sheets etc. Digital Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery Database, digital photos

etc BIBLIOGRAPHY

CA (Cotswold Archaeology) 2013 Millbay Docks, Millbay Road, Plymouth: Archaeological Watching Brief. CA typescript report 13062


11


site

City ofPlymouth

CotswoldArchaeology

Cirencester 01285 771022

Milton Keynes 01908 218320

Andover 01264 326549

w www.cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk

e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.DATE

REVISION

SCALE@A4

PROJECT NO.

DRAWN BY

APPROVED BY

N

0 1km

Site location plan

Milbray Docks, Millbay RoadPlymouth

01-03-2013001:25,000

4115JBPJM 1

Reproduced from the 2005 Ordnance Survey Explorer map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office Crown copyright Cotswold Archaeology Ltd 100002109

c

CotswoldArchaeology



Andover 01264 326549


e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.DATE

REVISION

SCALE@A4

PROJECT NO.

DRAWN BY

APPROVED BY

4

3

3 General view of lock barrel showing Dredge Area, looking south-east

4 Timber 3

Photographs


01-03-201300N/A

4115JBPJM 3 & 4

CotswoldArchaeology



Andover 01264 326549


e [email protected]

PROJECT TITLE

FIGURE TITLE

FIGURE NO.DATE

REVISION

SCALE@A4

PROJECT NO.

DRAWN BY

APPROVED BY

5

5 Timber 6

Photograph


01-03-201300N/A

4115JBPJM 5

archaeological watching brief - cotswold archaeology · 1.3 millbay docks are located to the east...

Documents