Dock System at Y Felinheli

The dock system at Y Felinheli is approximately 500 metres long, built along the line of a former natural inlet. At the outer, western end of the system is an entrance lock constructed from dressed grey stone, with two wooden lock gates and walkways above, featuring iron posts and chain railings. The inner dock walls are made of red brick and have large stone capstones and dressings, with some capstones replaced with concrete. Ladders are set into the sides of the dock. The dock widens inside the lock before narrowing at a single-leaf bascule bridge. This steel bridge pivots at its southern end and was modified in 1912 with the addition of an electric drive motor. The sloping parapets of the bridge become semi-circular towards the southern end, with teeth that engage with the raising mechanism. East of the bridge, the dock curves and varies in width, following the course of the natural inlet. At the inner end of the system is a dry dock, or graving dock, which can be sealed by a steel caisson. The dry dock has stepped side walls and a polygonal eastern end.