SPAB Essex Work-in-Progress Visit to the Treadwheel Crane at Harwich
SPAB Essex Work-in-Progress Visit to the Treadwheel Crane at Harwich
Join us on Thursday 10th March at 10am for this opportunity to visit the current project to repair the double treadwheel crane at Harwich
£7 Members and guests only
Event details
Thursday 10th March at 10am
This is an exciting opportunity to visit the current project to repair what is believed to be a unique double treadwheel crane at Harwich – the only surviving example of this kind of structure in Britain and the sole visible element of the town’s 17th-century naval dockyards.
Originally thought to have been built in 1667, but with dendro (tree ring) and further research now considered to date from 1745, this double walking wheel crane was moved to its present site at Harwich Green in 1932. Although relocated, the structure remains substantially authentic, has few modern alterations and is now a scheduled monument. The present project will see the foundations underpinned to stabilise the structure, timber repairs to the frame and work to the roof and weatherboarding to protect the wheels inside. The project includes the use of sailcloth and pine tar to the apsidal end, so is reintroducing a partly lost traditional skill.
Funded with a substantial grant from Historic England, the on-site work is being led by Toby Slater (a recent SPAB Fellow) of Dolmen Conservation & Joinery with the Morton Partnership acting as lead consultants and design engineers. Our host for the visit will be the owners Tendring District Council and we will hear talks by Leigh Alston (architectural historian), Ed Morton (of the Morton Partnership) who is leading the repairs, along with Trudi Hughes and Jess Tipper (from Historic England and from Dolmen Conservation). We will start with a talk on the history of the crane and the repairs before dividing into smaller groups to see the work underway.
The visit will start at 10am and hard hats will be required. We are able to supply some, but if you have one, please bring it with you. A map and directions will be sent to particpants nearer the time.
Multiple bookings
As long as there is space on the event, we usually allow you to book for both yourself and a guest. When completing the booking form, you will be asked to select the number of people and put in your own details on the first page, then to put in your second person's details on the next page. The event fee shown on each of these pages is for the individual person - you will be shown the total amount due once you get to the summary page.
About the Essex Regional Group
The SPAB Essex Regional Group was formed in 2000 and has been active ever since. The types of visits are fun, interesting and educational with an annual social event, normally in an historic building. Our participants vary from interested SPAB members wanting to enhance their knowledge of historic buildings to professionals using the visits as part of their continuing professional development programme.
Accessibility: please contact the Group Organiser before booking to discuss any special access requirements.