Monument record SLY 065 - Post Medieval boat hard in the River Orwell, Shotley.

The remains of a Post Medieval boat hard are visible as a possible timber structure, at TM24803611. The remains of the boat hard are visible as a fragmentary structure on an aerial photograph from 1987 (S1), extending approximately 90m eastwards into the River Orwell from the oyster pits in the saltmarsh to the north east of Crane's Creek (see SLY 064). The structure may be built of timber posts but it is not possible to be certain from the aerial photograph. The boat hard is marked on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map of circa 1884 (S2) and the 2nd Edition of 1904 (S3), suggesting a Post Medieval date for the structure. The location of the boat hard suggests that it was constructed to service the oyster pits it abuts, which are thought to be of a similar date (see SLY 064) (S3). This may be supported by the existence of a wreck associated with the boat hard (see SLY 066).