This is the record for the Riverside quarter of the medieval and post-medieval settlement of Gainsborough. The quarter is defined by the River Trent to the west and the line of Lea Road, Bridge Street, Caskgate Street and Ropery Road to the east. For further information on the town of Gainsborough, see also the records for the pre-industrial core (PRN 55528), and for the general settlement (PRN 55527). There is documentary evidence of Gainsborough's function as a port during the medieval period. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the port at Gainsborough grew as Torksey declined, and this growth continued into the post-medieval period as Gainsborough was a key point for transhipping the products of early midlands industry such as Nottinghamshire coal. Gainsborough was also a key point for the shipping and distribution of luxury goods from London, and many London merchants traded at its fairs. These factors brought it into competition with Hull. Improvements to the river channel, and the construction of various linking canals, during the 18th century increased the river traffic and Gainsborough's prosperity. During the 18th and early 19th century the products and raw materials of industry were shipped through Gainsborough as well as continuing trade in groceries and luxury goods from London and agricultural produce from the local area. The early 19th century was the boom period for the port of Gainsborough, and it was granted official Port status and its own branch customs house in 1840. Shortly afterwards the railways (built with materials carried by river) opened, and river trade declined. Also, the condition of the river channel was deteriorating by this time, with wrecks and shoals causing obstructions. During the 19th century there were also a number of thriving passenger travel companies offering paddle steamer trips to local towns as well as pleasure excursions. These also declined in popularity following the opening of the railways. A ferry crossing the river is first mentioned in 1281, and it is suggested that the river crossing was previously a ford. The ferry continued to run until the late 18th century, when it was replaced by a bridge (see PRN 52091). Shipyards are also known to have existed during the 19th century and probably earlier. The Lords Staithe was situated at the west end of Lord Street and was one of several common landing points or staithes where tolls were paid to the lord of the manor when goods were unloaded (PRN 55531a - SK 8128 8988). It is mentioned in late 17th century documents, and is known to have existed prior to that. It was originally constructed in wood and later rebuilt in stone. {1}{2} 19th and early 20th century maps show the riverside crowded with wharfs and industrial buildings such as numerous mills and maltings (some of these survive, or survived until recently, and have their own records). {3} A watching brief on land between Bridge Street and the River Trent recorded the remains of several 18th and 19th century structures: An 18th century building, thought to be either a warehouse or a merchant's house (PRN 55531b - SK 8147 8947), with an associated possible wharf/staithe, thought to be associated with Pillared House (see PRN 52083). The main building measured about 7.2m by at least 4.4m, built of red brick with stone cladding. The building fronted onto the river and may have extended as far as Bridge Street, on an orientation similar to other buildings of similar date in the area. Deposits built up against the walls of this building may have formed a natural shore. To the south of the main building was a series of walls, possibly part of a yard or the bases of temporary structures associated with wharfs/staithes. Pottery from the site included unfinished vessels, possibly for despatch to a painter. An early 19th century warehouse, directly adjacent to the river (PRN 55531c - SK 8147 8943). The building measured c.7m by 12m, with three walls only surviving to ground level, while the fourth wall survived to three storeys as part of a standing warehouse. The standing wall, constructed in English Garden Wall bond, contained several square hatches, windows with wooden lintels, and floor beam sockets. The west wall had two brick piers keyed into it, probably to counter the effect on it of river forces. Inside the building, a cobble surface had been sealed by a later brick floor. A second early 19th century warehouse was also recorded directly adjacent to the river (PRN 55531d - SK 8147 8942). The building measured about 12m by 7m, with three walls surviving to ground level above a deep basement. The fourth wall survived to three storeys as part of a standing warehouse, with each storey being stepped in. The standing wall, constructed in English Garden Wall bond, contained several square hatches, sockets for floor beams, and a row of beam slots. The south wall contained a possible flue, but no evidence was found to suggest an industrial function requiring a flue or chimney. It is suggested that the hatches in the east wall may indicate a commercial function for the building - possibly it contained offices or workshops. A possible 19th century merchant's house, thought to later become the Neptune Inn (PRN 55531e - SK 8147 8941). The building had a barrel vaulted basement. A semicircular wall had a gap with a stone step in it, thought to be the original access to the basement, with the step added later. Wall fragments recorded to the west of the building may be a yard or wharf. No evidence of the medieval waterfront was recorded, however. {4}{5} Other watching briefs conducted on riverfront land have also failed to find evidence of the medieval waterfront, suggesting that it lay further to the east, possibly at Bridge Street (which was known as The Causeway in medieval times). {6}{7}{8} Cut stone masonry was seen within more recent brick buildings during a site visit to land at 20-32 Bridge Street, and it is thought that these stones represent traces of earlier buildings on the site (PRN 55531f - SK 8144 8961). Evidence of earlier buildings may also remain within some of the standing buildings. {9}