Parkeston Quay (EHER 46236)

Parkeston Quay was originally a speculative development by the Great Eastern Railway (GER) Company. It ran for a distance of 550m across the mudflats west of Harwich, and opened in 1883. It was initially known as 'the Stour Quay', but in October 1881 the GER Board resolved to name it 'Parkeston Quay' in honour of their Chairman C.H. Parkes who was the leading force behind the company's expansion at this period.

In 1874 an Act was obtained authorising the construction of a new 550m (1,800 feet) long quay on the mudflats west of Harwich. The work was done in 1879-83, with J.S. Macintyre and John Wilson as the Engineers. The new quay was generally referred to as 'the Stour Quay' initially, but in October 1881 the GER Board resolved to name it "Parkeston Quay" in honour of their Chairman C.H. Parkes who was the leading force behind the company's expansion at this period. The new loop line opened in 1882, and the quay and passenger station on 15th March 1883. It included 'Parkeston Quay Hotel' block, which had the station offices incorporated in the ground floor. It has served as port offices since 1965. <1> 3 colour prints of aerial photographs from March 2006 <2> NRHE data import: Labelled Parkeston Quay on <3>. Parkeston Quay. Opened 1883. Originally a speculative development by the Great Eastern Railway Company (chairman, Charles Parkes) on 600 acres (243 hectares) of wasteland, involving of curved embankment for 2.5 miles around the north of Ray Island. Now [1992] used by British Rail Sealink Ferries. <4>