Monument record TQ 87 NW 1130 - Wiggins & Co. Oil Refinery

Summary

Berry Wiggins oil refinery is visible on aerial photographs taken in 1952. This refinery was constructed in 1931 and was the first oil refinery to be built on the Hoo peninsula. It reused a number of buildings that were formerly part of RNAS Kingsnorth including the jetty via which the crude oil was delivered. This was superseded by Bees Ness Jetty which was opened in 1937 and ran for over 2.5km over Stoke Saltings and Stoke Ooze to the deep channel of the Medway. A third jetty called Oakham Ness Jetty was constructed in 1964 to be jointly used with Kingsnorth power station. The 1952 photographs also show a pipeline running between the refinery and a small 19th century wharf on Damhead Creek. An aerial photograph taken in 1942 shows the oil storage tanks painted with a camouflage pattern. The Berry Wiggins refinery continued in use until at least 1978 but has since closed and the majority of the site has been demolished. A building through which pipes were directed from both the refinery and Bees Ness jetty can still be seen on aerial photographs taken 2007. Bees Ness jetty also survives although it is in a derelict state as does the later Oakham Ness jetty, presumably still in use by Kingsnorth power station. This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 8233 7266 (3859m by 1981m)
Map sheet TQ87SW
County KENT
Civil Parish HOO ST WERBURGH, MEDWAY, KENT
Civil Parish STOKE, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (2)

Full Description

<1> RAF, 1952, RAF 58/856 4105-4106 24-APR-1952 (Photograph). SKE57295.

<2> RAF, 1952, RAF 58/856 3103-3104 24-APR-1952 (Photograph). SKE57296.

<3> RAF, 1932, RAF HLA/542 2065-2066 18-MAY-1942 (Photograph). SKE57297.

<4> RAF, 1946, RAF 106G/UK/1444 3034-3036 1-MAY-1946 (Photograph). SKE56115.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1966, OS/66133 9-10 4-JUNE-1966 (Photograph). SKE57298.

<6> Ordinance Survey, 1966, OS/66133 53-54 4-JUNE-1966 (Photograph). SKE57299.

<7> Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ8373 21-APR-2007 (Photograph). SKE57300.

<8> Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ8073 21-APR-2007 (Photograph). SKE57301.

<9> Ordnance Survey, 1978, OS/78124 140-141 18-AUG-1978 (Photograph). SKE57302.

<10> English Heritage, 2013, Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Bibliographic reference). SKE31432.

Sources/Archives (10)

  • <1> Photograph: RAF. 1952. RAF 58/856 4105-4106 24-APR-1952. RAF 58/856 4105-4106 24-APR-1952.
  • <2> Photograph: RAF. 1952. RAF 58/856 3103-3104 24-APR-1952. RAF 58/856 3103-3104 24-APR-1952.
  • <3> Photograph: RAF. 1932. RAF HLA/542 2065-2066 18-MAY-1942. RAF HLA/542 2065-2066 18-MAY-1942.
  • <4> Photograph: RAF. 1946. RAF 106G/UK/1444 3034-3036 1-MAY-1946. RAF 106G/UK/1444 3034-3036 1-MAY-1946.
  • <5> Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1966. OS/66133 9-10 4-JUNE-1966. OS/66133 9-10 4-JUNE-1966.
  • <6> Photograph: Ordinance Survey. 1966. OS/66133 53-54 4-JUNE-1966. OS/66133 53-54 4-JUNE-1966.
  • <7> Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ8373 21-APR-2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ8373 21-APR-2007.
  • <8> Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ8073 21-APR-2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: TQ8073 21-APR-2007.
  • <9> Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1978. OS/78124 140-141 18-AUG-1978. OS/78124 140-141 18-AUG-1978.
  • <10> Bibliographic reference: English Heritage. 2013. Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Nov 22 2024 3:03PM