Investigating the maritime history of Rotherhithe - Kieron Heard

In the mid 17th century a timber river wall allowed occupation
of marginal land. The site was used as a timber yard and then
developed as a commercial wharf, with new waterfronts constructed
in deeper water. In the second half of the 18th century the
Woolcombe family of shipbuilders developed a new river frontage
and a wet dock. In the early 19th century the Beatson family
adapted the site as a ship-breakers' yard and built a fashionable
dwelling house overlooking the wet dock and a warehouse. The
findings at Pacific Wharf provide important insights into
post-medieval woodworking techniques, and other key aspects of
ship-building technology. This concise and extensively
illustrated volume documents these processes in their
archaeological context, providing an illuminating account of
Southwark's maritime history.