Joshua Byers Manufacturers handled lead brought into the town; his works were instantly recognisable by his tall, square chimney. This trade imported lead from the upper Teesdale mines, Swaledale and upper Pennines. Imported into Stockton from Worsall, the lead was destined for onward transmission to London. It was shipped into Stockton as a cheaper means of transport as roads were expensive where turnpikes were used. Lead wharfs were built at the end of Finkle Street to handle the trade.
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
I am intrigued by the two “bottle ovens” on the horizon. Such ovens are named after their shape, and were actually kilns used in the pottery industry. Occasionally such ovens were used for drying timber, and seeing the stack of timber on the riverside I wonder if this was the purpose of these ovens? Does anybody know whereabouts on the river this photo was taken?
That gable end looks like what was Jack Skinner’s fabric maintenance shop at Head Wrightsons. Could be wrong. The towers could be on the Crosthwaites site. I know if I am right that to the left of the gable end would be Richardson Ducks slipway but this picture maybe before that time..