Guano storage shed (Alnmouth)
Old guano shed, Alnmouth.
Guano storage shed, C18 extended in late C18 or early C19. Rubble with cut quoins and dressings except for brick rear elevation; Welsh slate roof except for C20 roofing felt on north part. Long low rectangular building. East side shows right-of-centre boarded double doors under segmental arch, blocked doorway and 3 blocked windows; row of blocked rectangular vents at mid-height. Left part of wall, and each return, have triple-stepped batter. Coped end gables. Returns show similar blocked vents and slits in gables. Rear elevation shows similar openings; right end part is stone, with stepped batter; left-of-centre joint and set-back marks extension.
Interior. Late C18 or early C19 strapped king-post trusses, carried on wall posts at rear.
Included for historical interest. Alnmouth imported guano (used as a fertiliser) in the C18, which due to its smell was stored as far as possible from the main harbour. Following the 1806 flood and the change of course of the River Aln the former estuary silted up and the shed passed to its present use as a barn. (1)(2)
The building is long and low, and built mainly of sandstone with a brick west wall. The roof and a considerable amount of fabric from the building have now either tumbled or been re-used elsewhere. The building stands on a terraced platform that was in existence by at least the 1780s.
Although the shed is commonly attributed to the 18th century, it seems likely from map evidence that it was only built after the mid 19th century. This revised date would not preclude it from use as a guano store as import of this material into Alnmouth continued until the 1870s. However, there are no features or fixtures in the building which relate to this use. During the course of research no other British examples of guano sheds were found.
Later, ad hoc, developments to the building include the insertion of a number of rifle slits, almost certainly during World War II, to defend the coast from German attack. (3)
Importation of guano to Alnmouth is unlikely to have started any earlier than 1843, and sea-borne trade to Alnmouth was already in decline by that time. It is most unlikely that any vessel that could get into Alnmouth would have brought its cargo all the way from Peru - it must have been trans-shipped at some intermediate port. There is little evidence when the Guano Shed was built. It is most likely the shed was built as an agricultural building of some sort, perhaps in the late 18th or early 19th century. It could well have been used as a store for guano, as could may other buildings along the coast.
A reference to guano is made in a newspaper report in 1864 about the first road bridge over the Aln. Its rapid deterioration is attributed to heavy traffic "consisting chiefly of timber, slates, guano, corn, coals and other heavy material." This raises a problem because the reputed guano shed was on the other side of the river anyway - which way was the guano travelling over the bridge? (4)
The Guano store, Alnmouth: a long barn like 18th century structure is situated on the old pre-1806 bank of the Aln. (5a)
Interior. Late C18 or early C19 strapped king-post trusses, carried on wall posts at rear.
Included for historical interest. Alnmouth imported guano (used as a fertiliser) in the C18, which due to its smell was stored as far as possible from the main harbour. Following the 1806 flood and the change of course of the River Aln the former estuary silted up and the shed passed to its present use as a barn. (1)(2)
The building is long and low, and built mainly of sandstone with a brick west wall. The roof and a considerable amount of fabric from the building have now either tumbled or been re-used elsewhere. The building stands on a terraced platform that was in existence by at least the 1780s.
Although the shed is commonly attributed to the 18th century, it seems likely from map evidence that it was only built after the mid 19th century. This revised date would not preclude it from use as a guano store as import of this material into Alnmouth continued until the 1870s. However, there are no features or fixtures in the building which relate to this use. During the course of research no other British examples of guano sheds were found.
Later, ad hoc, developments to the building include the insertion of a number of rifle slits, almost certainly during World War II, to defend the coast from German attack. (3)
Importation of guano to Alnmouth is unlikely to have started any earlier than 1843, and sea-borne trade to Alnmouth was already in decline by that time. It is most unlikely that any vessel that could get into Alnmouth would have brought its cargo all the way from Peru - it must have been trans-shipped at some intermediate port. There is little evidence when the Guano Shed was built. It is most likely the shed was built as an agricultural building of some sort, perhaps in the late 18th or early 19th century. It could well have been used as a store for guano, as could may other buildings along the coast.
A reference to guano is made in a newspaper report in 1864 about the first road bridge over the Aln. Its rapid deterioration is attributed to heavy traffic "consisting chiefly of timber, slates, guano, corn, coals and other heavy material." This raises a problem because the reputed guano shed was on the other side of the river anyway - which way was the guano travelling over the bridge? (4)
The Guano store, Alnmouth: a long barn like 18th century structure is situated on the old pre-1806 bank of the Aln. (5a)
N13512
DESK BASED ASSESSMENT, The Guano Shed, High Buston 2003; Alan Williams Archaeology
FIELD SURVEY, North East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment - Phase 2 2010; Archaeological Research Services
FIELD SURVEY, North East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment - Phase 2 2010; Archaeological Research Services
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