Wharf just downstream of Rochester Bridge. It was the site of the Ross Shipyard (Charles and Mary Ross) which between 1795 & 1814 built ten ships for the navy ranging from 12 to 74 guns, as well as a number of merchant ships including some for the Hudson Bay Co. In 1814 Mary Ross died and the yard passed to John Foord & Sons, general contractors. It is not known when shipbuilding stopped at the yard. The gridiron and slipways are still in existance on the 4th Ed OS, but not visible on 6" 1961 aerial photograph. (1 - 2)

Mary Ross in fact lived well into the 19th century. There is a picture of her in the reprint edition of Edwin Harris "The Riverside".
Warship building ended with cessation of hostilities with France. It is possible that the site was utilised by some of the bargebuilders who operated in this area in the 19th century.

Jim Preston Personal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE13236.

Jim Preston Personal Communication (Verbal communication). Ske13236.

The Riverside (Bibliographic reference). SKE13232.

The Riverside (Bibliographic reference). Ske13232.

R Ratcliffe, 2000, Rochester Riverside Areas of Archaeological Interest (Unpublished document). SKE7911.

R Ratcliffe, 2000, Rochester Riverside Areas of Archaeological Interest (Unpublished document). SKe7911.

AOC Archaeology Group, 2005, Rochester Riverside, Rochester, Medway, Kent: Historic Environment and Industrial Archaeology Report (Unpublished document). SKE15868.

AOC Archaeology, 2008, Archive Report on Archaeological Works (Phases II-IV): Rochester Riverside Kent (Unpublished document). SKE31289.

<1> Philip Banbury, 1971, Shipbuilders of the Thames and Medway, p 43 151 & 152 (Monograph). SKE7910.