The West India Docks, c.1894

Original description by George Birch in 1894

These docks, nearly 300 acres in extent, lie between Limehouse and Blackwall to the North of the Isle of Dogs, which is formed by a sudden bend in the river. They are large enough to contain at one time more than 450 West India merchantmen. Some of the chief lines of steamers load and discharge their cargoes in these docks, where there are huge warehouses extending in long rows along the banks of the Thames, and everything necessary for the loading, unloading, storage, and safe custody of goods. The docks are not municipal or public property, but are owned by private companies. Permission to visit the warehouses and vaults may be obtained from the Secretary of one of these Companies.

Other observations

The docks operated from 1803 to 1980. For the history of the docks see wikipedia or portcities. The area is now occupied by the Canary Wharf business district.

Geolocation

Impossible to divine the location or orientation of this picture, the docks originally having two long, parallel rectangular areas of water. We seem to be looking along one of them, with warehouses on its left side. View direction would be ESE or WNW approx.

Subject at centre of picture: TQ 375 802
Camera position: ??
Camera height: -
View direction: ??
View angle: ??° approx.
Focal length (35mm equiv): ??mm approx.

Nearest similar geograph

Technical information

See here.

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Peter Facey, Winchester, England
20110130

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