Monument MPM1910 - Mill Pond, Gunwharf

Surviving evidence of the Mill Pond which powered the King's Mill (see MPM1013) was observed during a watching brief at the East Side Plaza, Gunwharf, in 2005. The Mill Pond was a natural inlet which had been dammed in order to power the mill. It was backfilled during the late-19th century.

The ponds fill contained occasional fragments of brick and a number of dressed blocks of Portland stone. The latter related to the demolition of Mill Redoubt (see MPM24) and the Mill Pond Wall (see MPM). Three large timbers were also recovered, presumably deposited when the pond was backfilled as they did not relate to any structure.

The only finds recovered from the fill were a large mortar round and a dump of 19th-20th century pottery. The round was for a 13 inch mortar. It was corroded but the remains of the lugs and hole for the 'bursting charge' were still visible.

Keyte, Jim, 2005, East Side Plaza, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth: Report on Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM518.