2007:AD23 - BELFAST: Titanic Quarter, Queen’s Island, Down

Monitoring of the site was carried out over February–April 2007. Investigations took place to expose the remains of Hamilton Quay wall; the modern concrete and timber deck extension was removed carefully and pulled away so as not to damage the wall, using a machine fitted with a toothed bucket. As part of the planning permission, a topographic/laser survey was carried out of the quay wall prior to removal.

Three features associated with the quay wall construction were found during the ground-reduction process. A culvert was uncovered which was used to help facilitate the draining of the area for the construction of the quay wall; remains of a coffer dam construction were uncovered behind the main quay wall, and a wall was uncovered running behind and parallel to the main quay wall, and tied into it by a series of metal tie rods. The function of this ‘tie-rod’ wall was to help secure the main quay wall. The remainder of the deposits relate to the modern occupation and use of the site.