NHER 41458 (Structure record) - Probable 19th century brick harbour wall

May-November 2004. Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey.
Inter-tidal survey (Environmental Zone 8), Context 771:
A brick harbour wall was recorded situated in the eastern part of Brancaster Staithe harbour. A number of bricks were collected and date from the 16th to 19th century. A member of the public told the survey team that it was built in the 18th century.
See assessment report (S1) for further details.
The associated archive has been deposited with the Norwich Castle Museum (NWHCM : 2017.421).
J. Allen (NLA), 16 April 2005. Amended by P. Watkins (HES), 21 July 2019.

November 2007.
The harbour wall is L shaped. In 2004 the north to south aligned section was approximately 20m long; the east to west section was about 65m long. An alcove and steps were noted in the east to west aligned section.
See (S1) and (S2).
Report (S3) states the quay was built in 1750 to service the new malthouse built to the south (NHER 1377). A date for the construction of the wall is not given.
One brick was collected by the Norfolk Coastal Survey in 2004; it was dated to the 19th century by E. Rose (NLA) in 2007.
D. Robertson (NLA), 27 November 2007.

November 2007. Field Visit.
Site visited during the construction of a new harbour/quay wall.
The north to south aligned section of the harbour wall is to be preserved in situ behind steel sheet piles and loose aggregate. The aggregate will be given a concrete cap; the concrete will not be bonded to the wall. At the time of the visit, silt had been removed in front of the north to south aligned section and a number of sheet piles had been put in place. Following the removal of the silt about 1.75m (20 courses) of wall was visible; before the silt was removed it is believed about 10 courses were visible.
The east to west aligned section is to be repaired, with at least the upper four courses of bricks relaid. This section of wall includes many pan tiles; one of the pan tiles was collected and dated to the 19th century by E. Rose (NLA).
A brick representative of most bricks in both sections of the wall was collected. These were dated to the 19th century by E. Rose (NLA).
It is most probable that the harbour wall dates to the 19th century. More recent repair works are visible, particularly at the western end of the east to west aligned section.
If a harbour wall was built when the malthouse (NHER 1377) was constructed, this may have been demolished when the probable 19th century wall was built. Alternatively, it may be concealed behind the probable 19th century wall.
D. Robertson (NLA), 28 November 2007.