M Shed’s historic dockside cranes become Grade II-listed

Four instantly recognisable landmarks of Bristol’s skyline are now Grade II listed.

The electric cranes at Prince’s Wharf in front of the M Shed, and also the rails they are mounted on, have been granted listed building status and are “emblematic” of Bristol according to Historic England.

They were built in 1951 and last off-loaded timber from the Baltics in November 1974; with other goods handled by the cranes during their years of service including everything from tractors to tanks of Guinness.

Historic England’s official listing for the cranes says that they were “designed for utility, but with a resultant architectural and aesthetic quality with a strong industrial character and distinction, speaking of the historic working docks in the heart of the city”.

The listing adds that they are “a highly prominent group of structures that are a focal point of the Floating Harbour, and of a scale and monumental form that has conferred them with emblematic status.”

Bristol’s four cranes are the only group of Stothert & Pitt travelling cranes known to be in working order – photo: Historic England

The cranes were made by Stothert & Pitt and are the second largest group of cranes made by the Bath company in the UK, second only to the cranes at Royal Victoria Dock in London.

Known as ‘travelling cranes’ for their ability to move along rails, they are the only group of Stothert & Pitt travelling cranes known to be in working order, with crane driving experiences able to be booked through the M Shed.

The four cranes are the largest objects in Bristol Museums’ collection, having been saved from being sold for scrap when the docks closed in 1975.

A Stothert & Pitt steam crane, the Fairbairn crane located between the Olive Shed and Brunel’s Buttery, is Grade II* listed and a scheduled monument.

Prince’s Wharf was the final cargo wharf to remain in use before the docks closed in 1977 – photo: Historic England

Historic England regional director, Rebecca Barrett, said: “We are delighted that the iconic cranes at Prince’s Wharf have been listed at Grade II.

“They are an important link to Bristol’s maritime and industrial history and join other listed structures in the city docks in helping to tell that story.

“Their commanding presence attracts visitors to the harbourside and reminds people of how Bristol grew to be a major trading port.”

Nicola Beech, Bristol’s cabinet member responsible for strategic planning, said that the cranes are “a landmark (and) an important link to the city’s 1950s trading heyday”.

She added: “We’re thrilled that they have become Grade II listed and their significance has been recognised by Historic England in this way.”

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Read more: Behind the scenes at the M Shed

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The newly listed cranes could potentially pose problems for the next phase of Wapping Wharf, whose owners want to build towers up to ten-storeys high on Museum Street as part of Wapping Wharf North.

Wapping Wharf owners Umberslade say that the “high quality buildings… create a backdrop to M Shed, whilst being sensitive to the need to protect important heritage assets”.

But there has already been consternation about the height and location of the buildings even before the cranes received their new listed status.

After the plans were first announced in June, former mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson – also a past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects – said that the buildings would “wreck the iconic view”.

“Bristol desperately needs a skyline policy before it’s trashed,” said Ferguson, whose successor Marvin Rees has encouraged developers “to build up”.

How the new buildings in Wapping Wharf North behind the M Shed might look from Prince Street – image: Umberslade

Main photo: Historic England

Read next:

• In photos: M Shed cranes come to life
• A night in a treehouse on a crane
• ‘It’s a good design and a welcome addition if it’s just scaled down a bit’
• M Shed cranes lowered in honour of former curator
• Lofty proposal on M Shed crane

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