Monument MPM1742 - Stone Culvert/Tunnel Pitch House Jetty

Portland stone culvert/tunnel observed during a watching brief on Pitch House Jetty in Portsmouth Dockyard in 2000. The exact date and function of this feature are not known.

A culvert/tunnel constructed from Portland stone was observed during a watching brief on Pitch House Jetty in Portsmouth Dockyard in 2000. The structure had an arch at either end. The southern arch was situated 0.6m below the surface under a layer of stone slabs, possibly decking. Only the top 1.1m of the arch was revealed. It had been constructed from faced stone and had 18 voussoirs measuring 0.6m - 0.7m long and 0.25m - 0.3m wide. The stones showed no sign of weathering, suggesting it had not been in use for long after its construction. The majority of the interior of the culvert/tunnel had silted up with brown silty clay.

It was not possible to ascertain the exact function of this feature, but it has been suggested that it may have been used as an out fall for Double Dock or Basin No. 1, or that it could relate to alterations to the Basin.

Barge, M, 2000, Phase 1B, The Jetties, HMNB, Portsmouth Report on the Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM383.