Condition

3
Wreck and Wharf Remains
147063
Fife

Description

Wharf and Building Remains (NO397263): A substantial area of wharfs, hulks, and building foundations was located just to the east of the Tay Railway Bridge at NO397623. This site is located on a rock and shingle foreshore backed by high cliffs. It consists of a line of square stones running parallel lines to the cliffline and probably marking an old stone quay. At the western end of this quay, three parallel lines of substantial timber piles mark the remains of a second quay or landing stage. Substantial brick foundations and collapsed walls are visible towards the back of the foreshore at the western end of the site, adjacent to a timber frame wharf which has been built onto a natural rock spur and the working lifeboat slip and shed. Aerial photographs (1946:10,000) show the quays and associated buildings fairly clearly although most of the site area is obscured by shadow. The site was initially thought to be that of Woodhaven Seaplane base (NO42NW85) but Guy has identifed an alternative site 1 mile SW of Newport Harbour at the existing Woodhaven harbour site (NO40752700) where he points out a slipway which was used for launching sea-planes (Guy, 1992-4, 127). The base was used during WWII for anti-submarine patrols. Wreck (NO32NE8147): The NMRS lists a wreck visible on the aerial photographs which is situated just to the east of the main wharf area at NO39822645 (NO32NE8147). The remains of this substantial vessel are 25 metres in length, and the ship appears to be listing to starboard and facing inshore. Her ribs and outer planking are exposed. The planks appear to be fastened to the ribs mostly by treenails though iron bolts were visible at the bow timbers. Fragments of red roofing tiles found between the frames of the ship may indicate the nature of the vessel's function and trade. The existence of this wreck nearby to the wharfing area may suggest that the site was not only used as a sea-plane base but for offloading cargos for transport inland. Threat: Heavy growth of seaweed over the wreck and wharf remains suggest that the site is stable and will if anything be protected by the accretion of mud evident along this part of the Tay estuary. However, this interesting collection of industrial remains has been inadequately recorded to date and deserves further attention. Recommendations: Unknown wharf and harbour remains (NO397263): Survey Wreck (NO32NE8147): Survey ShoreUPDATE 5 June 2014 As described. The remains of the boat, and the wooden posts which were originally part of a quay are heavily overgrown with seaweed. The boat has been identified as a barque which worked on the salvage and rebuilding following the Tay Bridge disaster. The site sits on intertidal mud on the foreshore of the Tay, in a fairly sheltered low-energy environment.

Location

339820.00
726450.00
27700
56.4264030
-2.9772794

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Wormit general view of the foreshore towards the wharf and wreck 05/06/2014 Wormit general view of the foreshore towards the wharf and wreck training1
Wormit general view of the foreshore towards the wharf and wreck
Wormit, showing the wreck thought to be the salvage barque 05/06/2014 Wormit, showing the wreck thought to be the salvage barque training1
Wormit, showing the wreck thought to be the salvage barque
Wormit looking along the foreshore over the timber posts towards the wreck 05/06/2014 Wormit looking along the foreshore over the timber posts towards the wreck training1
Wormit looking along the foreshore over the timber posts towards the wreck
Wormit, showing the lines of timber posts 05/06/2014 Wormit, showing the lines of timber posts training1
Wormit, showing the lines of timber posts
Wormit, showing brick walling at base of cliffs 05/06/2014 Wormit, showing brick walling at base of cliffs training1
Wormit, showing brick walling at base of cliffs
Wormit, showing the lines of timber posts 05/06/2014 Wormit, showing the lines of timber posts training1
Wormit, showing the lines of timber posts
Wormit, detail of stone walling built onto bedrock 05/06/2014 Wormit, detail of stone walling built onto bedrock training1
Wormit, detail of stone walling built onto bedrock
Wormit wreck of boat thought to be salvage barque 05/06/2014 Wormit wreck of boat thought to be salvage barque training1
Wormit wreck of boat thought to be salvage barque

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1873 05/06/2014 training1
Tidal state Low
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge Intertidal
Coastally eroding? accreting
Threats structural damage/decay
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Access accessible on foot (no footpath)
Local knowledge has local associations/history
Description ShoreUPDATE 5 June 2014 As described. The remains of the boat, and the wooden posts which were originally part of a quay are heavily overgrown with seaweed. The boat has been identified as a barque which worked on the salvage and rebuilding following the Tay Bridge disaster. The site sites on intertidal mud on the foreshore of the Tay, in a fairly sheltered low-energy environment.
Although in the intertidal zone, the features are not eroding, though there appears to be some accretion. Reassign priority 3, the remains have been recorded by Maritime Fife. Monitor.

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