Overshore cottages were once pretty isolated, perhaps built for brick field workers? Later they became integrated within the Falcon cement works.
I have seen these before Smiffy but forgotten about them. I think when the cement factory continued to expand it surrounded the cottages on Coveney Lane. Prior to the cement factory arriving, the cottages were for Wakeley brickfield workers. Most of the entries in the 1891 census confirm this. Coveney Lane was the only way in and out for transport. Workers used a footpath from Otterham Quay which joined Coveney Lane. All cement left via the cement company wharf and Wakeley's brickworks material left by their own wharf.
I walked close to the site recently, which is fenced off and was the subject of a planning application. The main wharf, is still there but remains of the cottages. In recent years, the site was used as a concrete crushing plant. The resulting material was used along the Hoo side of the river, to support the river bank.
I have a request in with the owners asking them about it's history but I am sure they will answer they don't know anything. I have old Barron clay maps from 1900 which shows where clay was removed for cement. These show the best detail and clearly show in Otterham Creek that usable clay was running out. This together with the start of WW1 would cause the surprise closure of the site. Wakeley Brothers had built barges on the site for years. It then became a repair only yard, mainly for their own fleet of barges. I think it was stopped completely about 1930.
I have a picture of Otterham Cottage residents dressed up for a Sunday outing. Several residents moved from the cottages to Otterham Quay, some Luton and a great deal moved into Upchurch village. I would still like to see a picture of the old cottages if possible.
Thanks to everyone for their feedback and help. My quest continues............
ADD: Strangely when Wakeley Brothers went out of business, everything was sold off, orchards, land the old brickfield site. They forgot about the access road, which was owned by Wakeley's. Today no one is sure who owns the access road to the existing Woodger's Wharf. It was a major problem when Peter Woodger wanted to develop the area into a marina with housing. The application failed on this point. Although the owner of the nearby caravan park/stables will quickly tell you the road is private property. It is, I guess but the owner is unknown, according to a great deal of research for the last planning application. I will continue to walk and use the lane, like workers have done since at least 1855. Today it still provides access to the Overshore caravan park, Plantation House, Admiralty Tip, Woodger's Wharf and of access to the river where Reginald Wells did his seaplane testing. ( See what I did there? The topic has returned to where we started some months ago.)
It is an interesting site. TBA
Mike