Building record LWT 338 - Former ESSO jetty

2015: A historic building record was made for the Esso Waterside adjacent to the former Oulton Broad Bulk Plant, Harbour Road prior to its demolition. The jetty and associated fuel storage depot was constructed c. 1901 for Esso’s predecessor, the Anglo-American Oil Company Ltd. The timber jetty, which was built to facilitate the unloading of wooden petroleum barrels, was originally fitted with a wooden sheerleg lifting device. By 1904 the sheerleg had been replaced with a steel swing-jig crane mounted on the south-eastern end of the jetty. There was an extant crane in this position, but it had been re-mounted at some point and it is unclear if it was an original feature or a later replacement. Although the jetty retained its basic form, decay caused by the harsh intertidal environment had necessitated extensive rebuilding, which included the complete replacement of the south-eastern end of the structure and the addition of new piles along its entire length. At least two major phases of rebuilding are evident; it is unclear when the first rebuild occurred, but the second is likely to be contemporary with the construction of mooring dolphins and associated steel walkways in the 1970s or 80s (S1).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2015 (S2).