London Docklands History for GCSE

The Dockers
Worksheet 3

1. Why was the work of the ordinary docker regarded as unskilled?

2. Use Sources A, C, D, E, F, G and H to explain what sort of work the casual dock labourer might be required to do.

3. What effect do you think this type of work would have on the health of the docker?

4. The stevedore was the only worker in the docks who possessed any real skills. Do you think this statement is true? Explain your answer.

5. A social survey is being conducted on the working practices and conditions that exist in docks in the early 1880s. You are a casual dock labourer who has agreed to take part in the survey. You have been asked to give information on and your thoughts and feelings about the aspects of dock work listed below:

• the call-on
  
• how the gangs worked and how they were chosen
  
• the difference between the stevedores and other dockers


• the different sorts of work involved in unloading a ship
  
• some of the jobs you have done
  
• the hours you worked as a casual and how you were paid
  
• the conditions in which you worked.

If you wish you may set this out in the form of questions and answers.

SURVEY Q
How did you get token on each day to work in the docks and what was it like when you arrived first thing in the morning at the dock gates?

A _____________________________________

Go back to The Dockers menu |

Picture A


Picture C

Picture F

Picture G

Picture H

 

Home |
Index |
Introduction |
Glossary |
The Origins |
Building the Docks |
In Operations |
On the Waterfront |
The Dockers|
The Strikes of 1889 |
In the 20c |
In the WW2 |
The Closure |

 

Contact
Nigel Sagar
Design and Technology
London Borough of Barking
and Dagenham

Email: nigel.sagar@lbbd.gov.uk

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and Dagenham