Monument record TQ 87 NE 1153 - The earthworks of unfinished groundwork for BP's Kent oil refinery on the Isle of Grain can be seen on aerial photographs taken in 1955

Summary

The earthworks of unfinished groundwork for BP's Kent oil refinery on the Isle of Grain can be seen on aerial photographs taken in 1955. Work commenced on this refinery in 1950 and the first oil was processed in 1953. The eastern part of the site was used for crude oil storage where oil tanks were arranged in pairs within a grid pattern of roads. The groundwork for the south-eastern line of tanks was underway by 1953 but was never completed and the earthworks can still be seen in their unfinished state on air photos taken in 1966. The abandonment of this area is likely to have been the result of the widespread flooding that took place on the night of the 31st January/1st February 1953. This area can be seen to still be underwater on air photos taken on 5th February 1953. Subsequent photos show the oil storage was then extended north-eastwards instead. The earthworks were levelled in the 1970s during the construction of Grain power station. This site was mapped from aerial photographs as part of the English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project.

Location

Grid reference Centred TQ 8816 7526 (428m by 545m)
Map sheet TQ87NE
County KENT
Civil Parish ISLE OF GRAIN, MEDWAY, KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> Unknown, 1953, NMR TQ 8679/1 RAF 30354/N1 & N2 0117 5-FEB-1953 (Photograph). SKE56066.

<2> Unknown, 1966, NMR OS 66/228 394-395 20-AUG-1966 (Photograph). SKE56065.

<3> RAF, 1955, RAF 58/1779 296-297 6-JUN-1955 (Photograph). SKE56064.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Photograph: Unknown. 1953. NMR TQ 8679/1 RAF 30354/N1 & N2 0117 5-FEB-1953. NMR TQ 8679/1 RAF 30354/N1 & N2 0117 5-FEB-1953.
  • <2> Photograph: Unknown. 1966. NMR OS 66/228 394-395 20-AUG-1966. NMR OS 66/228 394-395 20-AUG-1966.
  • <3> Photograph: RAF. 1955. RAF 58/1779 296-297 6-JUN-1955. RAF 58/1779 296-297 6-JUN-1955.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: English Heritage: Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project NMP (EKE20812)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Ref: Research Report Series no 21-2013) (EKE15020)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Hoo Peninsula, Kent. Hoo Peninsula Historic Landscape Project (Ref: Research Report Series No. 21-2013) (EKE15021)

Record last edited

May 13 2024 1:02PM