Cinque Port Wreck House, James and Stone Shipyard (EHER 34252)

The Cinque Port Wreck House is believed to be last example of such a wreck house within the former area of jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports and a rare surviving example of this type of building. It was built in the late 18th century in Flemish bond red brick. In 1934 it was taken over as part of John James Shipyard.

Warehouse built in the late 18th century in Flemish bond red brick, partly rendered with a hipped slate roof. It is of rectangular plan, aligned N-S. It is two storeys with four bays on main façade, expressed by pilasters with elliptical arches. It has 20th century windows and a high level inserted 20th century doorway in the southernmost bay on east façade. Two bay end walls have similar pattern of pilasters with elliptical arches. History: The building is called the "Cinque Ports Warehouse" in the 1829 parish Rate book - a reference to the status of Brightlingsea until 1811 as the only limb of the Cinque Ports north of the Thames Estuary. The Lord Warden of these ports was entitled to a third of the value of all wrecks within his area. In 1850 there had been an inscription made over the upper doorway by its owner James Argent, formerly Receiver of the Wrecks for the town also giving this title. Subsequently known as "Old Wreck House". In the late 19th to early 20th century it was used by the Bridges family block making concern. In 1934 it was taken over as part of John James Shipyard. It is believed to be last example of such a wreck house within the former area of jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports and a rare surviving example of this type of building. (C Dove, The Liberty of Brightlingsea, 1974 and other notes 1988). <1>. <2>