Monument record MDO7513 - Ower Passage, Medieval port

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Summary

Ower is a former medieval port. It flourished during the medieval period as an outlet for the Purbeck marble and stone industry, but as the channels became silted in the 18th century the trade was gradually transferred to Swanage.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Ower Passage mentioned as `the way of passage to Ower Key in 1698 which, according to Hutchins, `seems to have been formerly the chief port in the Isle of Purbeck, and it was the principal, if not the only, quay for the exportation of stone and marble, the volume of this traffic being suggested by `the remains of the deep tracks and roads leading across the heath from Ower towards the town of Corfe (see ST 98 SE 19 for centre of marble industry). <2>

Ower flourished during the Middle Ages as an outlet for the Purbeck marble and stone industry, but as the channels became silted in the 18th century the trade was gradually transferred to Swanage.<3-4>

A house and landing stage occupy the site. <6>


<1> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1925 (Map). SWX1540.

Ower Passage (NAT)

<2> Mills, A D, 1977, English Place-Name Society : the survey of English place-names [county volumes] Dorset, p23-24 (Monograph). SWX2586.

<3> Hudson, K, 1965, Industrial Archaeology of Southern England, 78 (Monograph). SWX1424.

<4> Page, W (Ed), 1908, The Victoria History of the County of Dorset 2, 337 (Monograph). SWX1805.

<5> Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology, 1983, Isle of Purbeck Survey, IOP 563 (Index). SDO147.

Ower: Ower passage - medieval port. Lies on heathland. See OS SY 98 NE 15. A house and landing stage occupy the site. 7/7/D

<6> Stewart Brown Associates, 2001, Portland Castle: Archaeological Evaluations, Watching Briefs and Building recording 1999-2001 (Unpublished document). SWX8582.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 456642 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Sources/Archives (7)

  • <1> Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Map 6in. 6 inch to 1 mile. 1925.
  • <2> Monograph: Mills, A D. 1977. English Place-Name Society : the survey of English place-names [county volumes] Dorset. Part 1. p23-24.
  • <3> Monograph: Hudson, K. 1965. Industrial Archaeology of Southern England. 78.
  • <4> Monograph: Page, W (Ed). 1908. The Victoria History of the County of Dorset 2. 2. 337.
  • <5> Index: Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology. 1983. Isle of Purbeck Survey. Form AM107. IOP 563.
  • <6> Unpublished document: Stewart Brown Associates. 2001. Portland Castle: Archaeological Evaluations, Watching Briefs and Building recording 1999-2001.
  • <7> Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 456642.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Location

Grid reference SY 99749 86194 (point)
Map sheet SY98NE
Civil Parish Corfe Castle; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 6 008 265
  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SY 98 NE 15
  • Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 456642

Record last edited

Apr 22 2023 6:45AM

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