Princes Dock

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Princes Dock in 1984, looking south towards the Royal Liver Building

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How it looked in 1835

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From 'Ackermann's panoramic view' of 1847

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Photographed from the same viewpoint as the top picture, 22 years later in 2006


"Previous to this, having only seen the miserable wooden wharves and shambling piers of New York... in Liverpool I beheld long China walls of masonry; vast piers of stone; and a succession of granite-rimmed docks, completely enclosed. The extent and solidity of these structures seemed equal to what I had read of the old pyramids of Egypt. In magnitude, cost and durability the docks of Liverpool surpass all others in the world... for miles you may walk along that riverside, passing dock after dock, like a chain of immense fortresses.

Prince's Dock, of comparatively recent construction, is perhaps the largest of all and is well known to American sailors from the fact that it is mostly frequented by the American shipping. Here lie the noble New York packets, which at home are found at the foot of Wall-Street; and here also lie the Mobile and Savannah cotton ships and traders."

"Prince's Dock is generally so filled with shipping that the entrance of a newcomer is apt to occasion a universal stir among all the older occupants. The dock-masters mount the poops and forecastles of the various vessels and hail the surrounding strangers in all directions:- "Highlander ahoy! Cast off your bowline and sheer alongside the Neptune!"- "Neptune ahoy! Get out a stern line and sheer alongside the Trident!"- "Trident ahoy! Get out a bow line and drop astern of the Undaunted!" And so it runs round like a shock of electricity; touch one, and you touch all. This kind of work irritates and exasperates the sailors to the last degree.

At twelve o'clock the crews of hundreds and hundreds of ships issue in crowds from the dock gates to go to their dinner in the town. (cooking fires being strictly prohibited within the dock estate) This hour is seized upon by multitudes of beggars to plant themselves against the outside of the walls, while others stand against the curbstone to excite the charity of the seamen... The first time that I passed through this long lane of pauperism, it seemed hard to believe that such an array of misery could be furnished by any town in the world"

From 'Redburn, His First Voyage' by Herman Melville 1849

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I recently bought this period postcard on ebay, described as a view of the "Princess Dock", Liverpool, and published around 1900 (it has a stamp of Queen Victoria on it). However, the view shows the Princes Half-tide Dock. The mispelling, probably a common one (I've seen Princes Park misdescribed also) is on a similar postcard showing the same view with somewhat different lettering designating the description. The tower at the dock entrance is long gone.

Cheers

Chris :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Funny, it seems the further back in history we go, the more word spelling variations we seem to encounter; like a particular sound trying on various garments, for the bestest, snug fit.

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old liverpool dock gates by exacta2a, on Flickr
The entrances are blocked off now but the old gate is still there. The greenery on the right is normally occupied by the residential swans who have been there for a few years now
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liverpool dock by exacta2a, on Flickr

The two entrances are still there but sealed, Chris

Thanks, Joe, and everyone! Great to see.

Chris