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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 the 1940's to today.
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| During
the 1960s workers demanded better pay and conditions. This made
the docks more expensive to run. At the same time, companies
were looking for more efficient quick ways of dealing with the
vast quantities of goods. Container lorries were invented.
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Royal Victoria Dock
1965. |
Albert Dock - lighters
1958. |
A
container is a large metal box, which is lifted by a crane and
fixed onto the back of a special lorry. Containers are packed
at the factory and locked so the goods cannot be stolen. Containers
are loaded on and off ships quickly in large numbers using cranes.
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| Fewer
people can move larger quantities. They can be moved on lorries
or trains to any destination very easily. You will see very
large numbers of container lorries on the roads if you look
out for them. This new way of moving goods has meant that the
large number of dockworkers is no longer needed. |
Albert quayside late1950s.
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Albert North quay
1905. |
The
River Thames and the docks along the river are too difficult
and too crowded to use for the very large ships, which carry
the containers. The dock companies decided to use other ports
such as Tilbury and Felixstowe, which are next to the sea and
are not crowded by poor roads and a large city. |
| The
docks along the River Thames, including the Royal Docks closed
in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the loss of thousands
of jobs. |
Cranes King George
V Dock opening 1921. |
The Mauretania 1939.
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Uses
have gradually been found for the docks. The Royal docks, where
the bridge project is based, still form the largest contained
area of dock water in the world. Today many new uses are being
found for the areas along the sides of the Victoria, Albert
ands King George V docks. |
| These
include housing, London City Airport, the university of East
London and a new international exhibition centre. The water
itself has been cleaned and is a very good watersports area.
This includes an Olympic rowing course and a sailing school.
The docks are an exciting place, which form the site for the
project. |
The Mauretania, berthed
1939. |
Banana cargo at King George V Dock 1935. |
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The Axel Johnson & containers at Tilbury 1973. |
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The Dockers hook. |
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