The Kent History Forum
Maritime History => Harbours and Dockyards => Topic started by: MartinR on February 26, 2020, 05:03:45 PM
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Has anyone come across references to "Magnus Wharf" in Chatham Intra? It may be an old name, no longer used. It may be in the vicinity of the old Ship Pier (at the end of Ship Lane) and was, I believe, used for coal.
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The only Magnus I can think of is Simon Magnus, who built the synagogue which is very near to the location you mention. Some possible connection?
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The first modern Jewish settlement in England is considered to be at Chatham Intra and established around 1750. The two prominent families that arose out of that were Magnus and the Isaacs; with Lazarus Magnus and his son both being Naval Agents and coal merchants. So its almost certain they would have had wharves at Chatham Intra.
The son went on to build railways and became the Mayor of Queensborough.
The jetty or remains could be right opposite the synagogue. Although Magnus bought the site from the hospital a passageway from the hospital to a landing stage was leased from the hospital that allowed egress for lepers coming ashore for treatment.
Maybe try to find an old navigational chart which should have it marked?
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@Smiffy - a very strong connection, I'm researching the Magnus family and the Synagogue for a small article. I've "heard tell" that it was known as "Magnus' Wharf" within living memory, but I need some sort of reference to confirm it. @Shoot99 - the Synagogue still pays 5p per year for a yard-wide strip of land to the west of the site. It's still visible if you look carefully, but the gate is back now after the vandalism of last year and bolted shut.
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I believe the wharf by the Ship Pier was Sufferance Wharf and was used for storing articles that hadn't had the Customs Payment made?
Among others there was one called Coal Wharf which was the West side of Sun Pier..... The only other coal jetties or wharves were behind the old Rochester Station and Chatham Central Station.
If you Google : Star Hill and Sun Pier Conservation Area Appraisal V5........ You will arrive at a very interesting and lengthy read about Chatham Intra.
It is too large to upload?
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I remember coal being unloaded, to the East of the Sun Pier, right where B&M NEW store is now.
Crane`s worked with `grabs`to take the coal out of a ship, pre 1939 war, & later.
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Thanks Keith, I found the document and it is most interesting.