The Winding Engine

The steam engine that was used in the Winding House has been restored and is currently situated on the side of the marina. The renovation of the Winding House and the development of an Education Trail around the dock may provide the opportunity of bringing the Engine back home. Here are a few facts that you probably didn't know about the Engine:

The Engine was built in Leith, Scotland, in 1866.

The Engine is so large that the Winding House actually had to be built around it.

The Engine weighs about 5 tons.

It was last used in 1967 to pull a barge up from the Humber

The Engine was dismantled and removed in 1971 at a cost of £200

The Engine was restored by members of the industrial and archaeological evening classes of Hull University

After restoration the Engine was kept in storage until it was erected on the Marina side in 1987. When the Winding House is complete, this will, hopefully, be returned to its original place of work – although it will not be possible to put it back into exactly the same location within the building – at least it will be home!



Brian Hayton, Head of Hull Museums has confirmed that it is a possibility that the Engine could be returned to Victoria Dock and Arthur Credland keeper of maritime history at the museums stated that "it would be marvellous if it could be returned to its original site!"

History of the Citadel

The stone structure opposite the Winding House is an original watchtower from the Citadel. The Citadel was the fort that stood on the Victoria Dock site for more that 200 years.

• The Citadel was built between 1681 and 1685.
• The Citadel was one of the largest and most important forts in Britain. It covered more that 29 acres.
• During the Napoleonic Wars the Citadel housed over 15,000 troops.
• The Citadel was once considered "the strongest fort in England" and indeed was never taken.
• The Citadel was pulled down in 1864 to make way for the development of Victoria Dock.
• Large sections of the Citadel's walls remain intact just a metre or so below ground level.
• The Citadel has been described by the Head of Hull Museums as "the most important historical site in Hull."