Evaluation by C Currie for the National Trust, in advance of works to widen the dock, indicated that the wharf has been extended on more than one occasion. A watching brief was therefore maintained on the works. A timber structure supported on large beams was identified and presumed to be used for pulling barges out of the river for repair and for lowering them back. This structure was covered by 19th century dumps of material, into which was cut a brick hearth, presumably used to boil tar etc for barge repairs. The hearth had largely been destroyed when the bank of the present dock was cut. Documentary evidence suggests that the timber dock identified could date from the late 17th or early 18th century, soon after the construction of the Wey Navigation. (301)
Year:
1994-5
ID:
1425
NGR:
SU992502
Periods:
Borough:
Organisation: