Nicodemus Knob

Nicodemus Knob is a 30-feet pillar of Portland stone, left as a landmark and quarrying relic at East Cliff on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. A similar artificial pillar formed through quarrying is Pulpit Rock at Portland Bill.[1]

## History

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Nicodemus Knob and the surrounding area.

Nicodemus Knob was left as a pillar within the former Admiralty Quarries, which provided stone for the breakwaters of Portland Harbour between 1849-72. It marks the extent to which the convicts excavated stone from the quarries; some six million tonnes of stone was taken from the area, using convict labour from the nearby Portland Convict Establishment.[2]

The stack's intended purpose is uncertain. Some believe that it was left as a seamark, while other suggest it was a memorial to the efforts of those who moved so much stone from the site, or that it was simply to highlight the amount of stone quarried, thereby recording the natural ground level.[3] Near to Nicodemus Knob are a number of small fields, enclosed by drystone walls. Adjacent to the stack are some flat rectangular areas once used by Portland Port Ltd as an industrial storage site.[4] The area is noted as being "botanically rich", while migrant birds are frequently spotted in the area.[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Bob Ford, Nature Portfolio. "Nicodemus Knob by Bob Ford". Bobfordphotography.com. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
2. ^ "Quick facts about the Jurassic Coast". Jurassiccoastline.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
3. ^ "Nicodemus Knob, Portland, Dorset". Geoffkirby.co.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
4. ^ "Isle of Portland Quarries - Geology by Ian West". Southampton.ac.uk. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
5. ^ Archer, Mike (September 2010). Bird Observatories of Britain and Ireland - Mike Archer, Mark Grantham, Peter Howlett, Steven Stansfield - Google Books. A&C Black. ISBN 9781408110409. Retrieved 24 November 2012.

50°33′28″N 2°25′40″W﻿ / ﻿50.5577°N 2.4278°W﻿ / 50.5577; -2.4278

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Isle of Portland

Settlements and areas|

* Castletown
* Chiswell
* Clay Ope
* Easton
* Ferry Bridge
* Fortuneswell
* The Grove
* Portland Bill
* Portland Harbour
* Southwell
* Tophill
* Underhill
* Victoria Square
* Wakeham
* West Cliff
* Weston

Beaches and coastal features|

* Balaclava Bay
* Cave Hole
* Chesil Beach
* Chesil Cove
* Church Ope Cove
* Freshwater Bay
* Hallelujah Bay
* Little Beach
* Mutton Cove
* Portland Raised Beach
* Pulpit Rock
* Salt Pans
* Wallsend Cove

Attractions|

* Broadcroft Quarry Nature Reserve
* Chiswell Earthworks
* Culverwell Mesolithic Site
* Fancy's Family Farm
* Jurassica
* King Barrow Quarry Nature Reserve
* Nicodemus Knob
* Perryfield Quarry Nature Reserve
* Portland Museum
* Royal Manor Theatre
* Tout Quarry Sculpture Park
* Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

Military|

* Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment
* Blacknor Fort
* East Weare Battery
* East Weare Camp
* East Weare Rifle Range
* HMS Osprey
* Inner Pierhead Fort
* MOD Portland Bill
* Portland Breakwater Fort
* RAF Portland
* RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey)
* Royal Naval Hospital
* Verne Citadel
* Verne Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
* Verne High Angle Battery

Castles|

* Pennsylvania Castle
* Portland Castle
* Rufus Castle

Lighthouses, daymarks and NCI|

* NCI Portland Bill
* Old Higher Lighthouse
* Old Lower Lighthouse
* Portland Bill Lighthouse
* Portland Breakwater Lighthouse
* Trinity House Obelisk

Prisons|

* HM Prison Portland
* HM Prison Weare
* HM Prison The Verne

Gardens|

* Chiswell Walled Garden
* Easton Gardens
* Governor's Community Garden
* Victoria Gardens

Buildings and houses|

* The Captain's House
* The Cove House Inn
* The George Inn
* Queen Anne House
* St George's Centre

Churches|

* All Saints Church
* Avalanche Memorial Church
* Church of Our Lady and St. Andrew
* Conjurer's Lodge
* Easton Methodist Church
* Southwell Methodist Chapel
* St Andrew's Church
* St George's Church
* St. John's Church
* St. Peter's Church
* Underhill Methodist Church
* United Reformed Church

Memorials|

* Portland Cenotaph
* Royal Naval Cemetery

Industry|

* Durdle Pier
* Folly Pier
* Folly Pier Waterworks
* Grove Lime Kiln
* King's Pier
* Portland stone
* Portland Windmills
* Red Crane
* Southwell Business Park
* Sureline
* Verne Cistern

Working and disused quarries|

* Bowers Quarry
* Broadcroft Quarry
* Coombefield Quarry
* King Barrow Quarry
* Perryfield Quarry
* Tout Quarry
* Yeolands Quarry

Railway|

* Merchant's Railway
* The Old Engine Shed
* Portland Branch Railway

Sports|

* Portland United F.C.

Events|

* Easton Massacre
* Great Southwell Landslip

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