DUNSTON STAITHES
N 54° 57.464 W 001° 37.782
30U E 587745 N 6090947
The Staiths are reputedly to be the largest wooden structure in Europe.
Waymark Code: WMJ5T5
Location: North East England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/29/2013
Views: 7
Dunston Staiths were opened by the North Eastern Railway Company in 1893 to meet the growing output of export coal and to save the rail journey to the docks at the mouth of the river.
The staiths were 526 metres long (1725 feet) and 20 metres (66 feet) high above high water. They handled on average 140,000 tons of coal a week in the 1920s but only 3000 a week in the 1970s. Dunston staiths closed on 4 March 1980.
The Staiths, no longer in use, is now a Grade II listed building and reputedly the largest wooden structure in Europe.
In 2002, work began on a development of riverside apartments and houses designed by Wayne Hemingway. Known as Staiths South Bank. Unfortunately, in the early hours of 20 November 2003, a section of the staithes was destroyed by fire. As a result, access onto the Staithes themselves is not possible, but the structure can be viewed from the new riverside walkway constructed as part of the Staiths South Bank development. The Staiths also suffered further fire damage in July 2010.
Type: Ruin
Fee: NO
Hours:
can be viewed 24/7 but access onto the structure is not allowed.
Related URL: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Original photographs showing additional views of the Ruin/Remnant or even just its current condition are encouraged. Please describe your visit, especially if no additional photos are available. Did you like the Ruin or Remnant? What prompted you to see the Ruin or Remnant?