Monument record MDO20117 - St John's Works, New Zealand, Bridport

St John’s Works was a large covered ropewalk and other buildings owned by Thomas Tucker and Co. The works were constructed c. 1902 and continued in use as a rope works until 1947. The buildings were demolished in the mid-1990s.

St John’s Works belonged to Thomas Tucker, who also had a warehouse at 45 South Street (1). The works must have been constructed between 1901 and 1903, as they are not shown on the 1902 Ordnance Survey map, but St John’s Works, Church Street are mentioned in trade directories from 1903 (1) (2). The works are shown on the 1930 Ordnance Survey map, with several buildings on the street frontage with a long covered ropewalk stretching behind down to the river through the former Hide and Skin yard that existed to the rear of the works (3). In 1947, Thomas Tucker and Sons was taken over by Joseph Gundry and Co. and the works were closed down.

The works were later used as a boat works by Newbridge Boats Ltd. The ropewalk is a Grade II Listed Building. The works were demolished in the mid-1990s.

<1> Bone, M R, 1985, 'The Bridport Flax and Hemp Industry' Bristol Industrial Archaeological Society Journal, p28 (Article in serial). SWX1452.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1902, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.10 (Map). SDO10517.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1930, Dorset Sheet XXXVIII.10 (Map). SDO10518.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2024 11:18AM