Purpose
The building of the docks around the Thames had become necessary out of various reasons. Around 1800 the Thames was congested: It has been calculated that 1775 vessels were using the water which was only suitable for 545 ships, not to mention the 3500 barges, which were mooring in the proximity. This congestion caused not only severe delays of up to weeks, but it was also a question of security, since the ships mooring on the river were an easy target for river pirates. In addition there was not enough storage for the increasing amount of trading goods. Therefore it is no surprise that merchants and warehousemen pressed for a solution. Finally the passing of the West India Dock Company Act in 1800 enabled the building of more docks and initiated significant changes of the landscape of London and made room for more cargo traffic, that enabled the British people to get even the most exotic goods..
Measure against Congestion
The new havens of the Thames provided a multiple of wharves compared to the possibilities of the river banks alone.
Already the Howland Great Wet Dock in 1769 could hold up to 120 large sailing ships and the Surrey Dock, which was built at the same place, consisted of 186 hectar of dock waters, almost 20 times more than its predecessor. And this was just one of many more docks to come throughout the 19th century. The new situation had a profound influence on the discharging of the ships, since it could be done in three to four days as opposed to a month under previous conditions.
The new havens of the Thames provided a multiple of wharves compared to the possibilities of the river banks alone.
Already the Howland Great Wet Dock in 1769 could hold up to 120 large sailing ships and the Surrey Dock, which was built at the same place, consisted of 186 hectar of dock waters, almost 20 times more than its predecessor. And this was just one of many more docks to come throughout the 19th century. The new situation had a profound influence on the discharging of the ships, since it could be done in three to four days as opposed to a month under previous conditions.
Security
Since security became a greater concern, it was not only paid attention to creating save buildings, but a securer environment for the whole trading process in London. When the ships where entering the Thames at Gravesend their hatches were nailed or tied down, in order to keep unauthorized persons away from the load. It was forbidden for porters or carts to enter the new quays, since they were suspected of pilfering and the docks themselves were equipped with walls at a height of 20m. The walls around the docks altogether were said to be longer than the former town wall. And last but not least a new police force was established, specialised on the protection of the river traffic.
Since security became a greater concern, it was not only paid attention to creating save buildings, but a securer environment for the whole trading process in London. When the ships where entering the Thames at Gravesend their hatches were nailed or tied down, in order to keep unauthorized persons away from the load. It was forbidden for porters or carts to enter the new quays, since they were suspected of pilfering and the docks themselves were equipped with walls at a height of 20m. The walls around the docks altogether were said to be longer than the former town wall. And last but not least a new police force was established, specialised on the protection of the river traffic.
Specialisation/Storage
In order to organise the commerce and to optimise the given space every dock was used for the trade with a different part of the world. Within the docks then, there were often whole warehouses just for one type of trading good. In Wapping at the London docks for example, there was a tobacco warehouse, which was said to have more space under one roof than any other building in the world, except the pyramids of Egypt. There were over 35000l of rum and 4,5 million l of wine stored at the West India Dock, while the Surrey Docks handled the biggest part of London's timber import.
Other imported goods of which London got vast amounts were sugar and other spices like pepper and cinnamon, indigo, tea, coffee, rubber, dates and canned meats. 40 per cent of Britain's luxury goods was handled in the London docks.
In order to organise the commerce and to optimise the given space every dock was used for the trade with a different part of the world. Within the docks then, there were often whole warehouses just for one type of trading good. In Wapping at the London docks for example, there was a tobacco warehouse, which was said to have more space under one roof than any other building in the world, except the pyramids of Egypt. There were over 35000l of rum and 4,5 million l of wine stored at the West India Dock, while the Surrey Docks handled the biggest part of London's timber import.
Other imported goods of which London got vast amounts were sugar and other spices like pepper and cinnamon, indigo, tea, coffee, rubber, dates and canned meats. 40 per cent of Britain's luxury goods was handled in the London docks.
Picture Header: Inside St. Katharine's Dock