Sunderland, Lancashire

Sunderland, commonly known as Sunderland Point, is a small village among the marshes, on a windswept peninsula between the mouth of the River Lune and Morecambe Bay, in the City of Lancaster district of Lancashire, England. It was used as a port for slave ships and cotton ships but its importance declined as other ports such as Lancaster were opened up.

Sunderland
  • Sunderland Point
Village
Sunderland from across the River Lune
Sunderland is located in the City of Lancaster district
Sunderland
Sunderland
Location in the City of Lancaster district
Sunderland is located in Lancashire
Sunderland
Sunderland
Location within Lancashire
OS grid referenceSD426562
Civil parish
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townMORECAMBE
Postcode districtLA3
Dialling code01524
PoliceLancashire
FireLancashire
AmbulanceNorth West
UK Parliament

Strictly speaking, "Sunderland Point" is the name of the tip of the peninsula on which the village of Sunderland stands, but the name is frequently applied to the village itself.

Geography

Sunderland is unique in the United Kingdom as being the only community to be on the mainland and yet dependent upon tidal access. The only vehicular access to the village is via a single-track road from Overton 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away crossing a tidal marsh. The road is covered by water at every high tide. Among other effects, this results in the children of Sunderland sometimes being required to arrive late at school in Overton or to leave early to avoid being cut off by the tide.[1]

History

It was developed as an outport for Lancaster by Robert Lawson, a Quaker, at the beginning of the 18th century.[2] Reportedly, stonework from the ruined Cockersand Abbey just across the river was utilised in the construction of the quay and buildings. Lawson finally went bankrupt in 1728, which began a steady decline until it was totally surpassed by Glasson Dock, which opened in 1787.[3]

Ships could unload here, or wait for the tide before moving up to the main docks at St. George's Quay in Lancaster and registering at the Customs House. Sailors were known to press-gang new recruits at the Three Mariners public house, just off the quay in Lancaster, and at the Golden Ball on the way back along the river at Snatchems.[4]

Sambo's Grave
Main article: Sambo's Grave

The Port of Lancaster, once the third-largest in the country, was part of the slavery triangle. The master of a slave or servant called Sambo left him at Sunderland Point whilst he travelled on to Lancaster to undertake his business in the rest of Britain. Sambo died in 1736 in the old brewery, which still stands on the corner of the pathway that leads to his grave. Sambo's Grave on the unconsecrated (as he was not a Christian) and windswept shoreline of Morecambe Bay is still a local tourist attraction today. The grave almost always bears flowers or stones painted by local children.[5]

Today

Along the quay at Sunderland Point are a number of late 17th century and Georgian dwellings which are well protected against the weather, one of which is a former hostelry.[6] There is also an early-18th-century gatepier on the quay that Pevsner thought worthy of note. The hamlet was featured in the TV drama The Ruby in the Smoke with Billie Piper and Julie Walters in December 2006.[7]

Many properties at Sunderland Point suffer regular flooding, with individual properties made resilient to the effects.[8]

Sunderland Point, the tip of the peninsula, is on the left. Sunderland village is centre and right. (Scroll to see whole image.)
  • Sunderland from the south
    Sunderland from the south
  • Sunderland view
    Sunderland view
  • River Lune at Sunderland Point, looking towards Glasson Dock on opposite river bank
    River Lune at Sunderland Point, looking towards Glasson Dock on opposite river bank
  • Sambo's Grave, west of the village
    Sambo's Grave, west of the village
  • Sunderland point signs in snow
    Sunderland point signs in snow
  • Horizon Line Chamber by Chris Drury, to the west of the village
    Horizon Line Chamber by Chris Drury, to the west of the village
  • Sculpture by Ray Schofield on the wharf at Sunderland Point
    Sculpture by Ray Schofield on the wharf at Sunderland Point

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sunderland, Lancashire.
  1. "Tidal Roads". wetroads.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  2. "Robert Lawson". Facing The Past. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. Skempton, Sir Alec; et al. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: Vol 1: 1500 to 1830. Thomas Telford. p. 454. ISBN 978-0-7277-2939-2.
  4. "A smuggler's ghost at Snatchems – the Golden Ball?". In Pure Spirit. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  5. Anon (2007). "Sambo's grave at Sunderland point". Pandora's box. Little Frank. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  6. Villages by the Sea: Sunderland Point, BBC2, 2 April 2020.
  7. "The Ruby in the Smoke". IMDB. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  8. Flood resilience pilot areas announced, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 22 June 2007, Defra/NW/026/07, archived from the original on 7 August 2011, retrieved 18 May 2008
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