More information : Dyance Beck, which flows from the northwest into the River Tees, supplied the garrison (of the fort at Piercebridge - NZ 21 NW 2) with water by an aqueduct. In 1730 some coal draughts on the highway penetrated through it disclosing a cavity, circa 1 yd wide and 1 1/4 yds deep. Distinct traces of the reservoir and the stones of the aqueduct are visible in field 73 (shown at NZ 20881607 on OS 25" 1914). The aqueduct appears to be making for the northwest angle of the ditch. (1-2)
A channel 1 ft 1 in by 9 ins, formed of slabs of stone, was found by G H Richardson in 1948 on the hillside, along the stream to the northwest of the fort, well above the water level. It appears to lead to the northwest corner of the fort where a small section of water channel was found in 1938. From there it probably branched off to the latrine and the bath building. (3)
NZ 20671631 to NZ 20871603. The course of the aqueduct was indicated to the FI by Mr Richardson of Ivy House, Piercebridge, who discovered it. Nothing now remains of the feature, the entire area having been mutilated by surface quarrying. (4)
Additional reference. (5)
Documented. (6) |