The Boat Float

DARTMOUTH

SX874510 THE QUAY 673-1/8/264 (East side) The Boat Float

GV II

Enclosed moorings. Parts may date as early as 1585, the north side is probably c1685; major works c1889 by WN Bidder, engineer, whose original plans and elevations, dated 1879, are on display in Dartmouth Museum. Built of limestone with some granite, mostly coursed blocks with ashlar kerbs and steps, includes a cast-iron bridge. The Boat Float is a trapezoidal enclosure for mooring small boats. It is surrounded by reclaimed land on the north, west and south sides and the South Embankment of c1889 forms the east side, and here the road bridges a channel connecting the float to the River Dart. A flight of steps lead down to the water on the west side and there is a ramp down the east side. Walls are made of roughly-cut blocks laid to courses but there are several changes of style. Most obviously the west wall employs larger blocks and it is vertical down to a projecting plinth whereas the other walls have slight batters and no plinths. On the east and south sides the kerb has been replaced with C20 concrete; the northern kerb remains but has been covered with concrete; the intact western kerb is granite and includes sandstone slabs over the bridge. Towards the west end of the northern wall there is a small blocked arch. The gap through the east side has been lined with C20 concrete. The bridge above is carried on a pair of large cast-iron girders fashioned with a flat segmental arch below. The Boat Float is the focus of the Quay/Butterwalk part of Dartmouth. It is also of considerable historic interest. The southern and western sides were the main quay of Dartmouth from 1585; the southern side was known as Spithead in the C18 and C19; the area to north was reclaimed c1685. The float was finally enclosed c1889 with the building of the South Embankment.

Listing NGR: SX8787351391