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Docklands aerial view 1934. |
Historical
information and images of the rise, fall and regeneration
of the London Docklands.
This page covers the period from 1800 to the 1940's
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In
the early nineteenth century, companies such as the West India
Company began to build docks to allow their ships to moor
next to their own warehouses. These were very successful and
other companies quickly built new docks such as the London
docks and the East India docks.
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Barges - by Thomas Shepherd 1825. |
West India Dock 1810. |
Each
time new docks were built, trade increased and these docks
all seemed too small. At this time, England was producing
a huge range of goods in newly built factories. This period
is known as the industrial revolution.
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goods made in these factories were sold all over the world.
They had to be shipped through ports such as London. At the
same time, The British Empire grew and other goods came to London
from around the world. |
West India Dock 1840. |
Sugar sacks drying at West India Dock. |
Very
soon, the docks could not cope. The decision was made to build
new docks further downstream. These were the Royal Docks, which
started with the Royal Victoria dock, which was opened in 1855.
The Royal Albert dock was finished in 1880. |
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last of the Royal Docks to be built was the King George the
fifth dock, opened in 1921. |
Horse shunting railway carriages. |
West India Dockers loading
sugar 1930. |
Many
thousands of people worked in the docks. They loaded, moved
and unloaded the huge quantities of goods traded through the
docks. |
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things had to be moved several times. First, from the boat to
barrows or trucks. They were then put in warehouses, packed
and put on lorries or trains to be moved again. Dock work was
poorly paid and often dangerous. |
The Dockers hook. |
The K warehouse at Victoria Dock. |
The W warehouse at Victoria Dock. |
Dock company policeman
searching Docker. 1905. |
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Cranes
at King George V Dock
opening. 1921. |
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