Albert Dock 1980s Picture

[Kev]

Amazing image I'm sure you'll agree.

Source: Unknown.

[Max]

Why did they get rid of some of the buidings when they refurbished It? I can see theres some non existant houses like one near west entrance.

[gregs dad]

The Port building has scaffolding around it, in the far right corner,it must be a 25 year cleaning contract.

[Paddy]

A very dry dock

[scouse smurf]

I remember going to the Maritime museum witht the school back then and there was a capstan we used to pull a boat in a bit.

There was also a dry dock which seemed soooooo deep. ok, I was only about 9 when I went. Any idea which dock it would have been ?

[Ged]

Great pic Kev and just how I remember it in the 1970s when we used to throw rocks into the mud and watch them slowly become engulfed in mud and sink. So simple pleasures back then.

[Waterways]

Amazing image I'm sure you'll agree.

Source: Unknown.

The 1700s warehouses, bottom left at Dukes Dock, have already been demolished.

A big difference:

[Max]

Why couldn't they keep the one I marked with a red circle? That would of been awesome to have kept.

Anyone know what It was used for?

[Waterways]

The 1966 Harry Hyams, Oldham Estates plan for Albert, Dukes, Canning and Salthouse Docks - `Aquarius City`. The dock basins would be used as underground car parks. The Kings and Queens Dock's transit sheds are seen to the top left, as in 1966 they viewed these commercial docks would remain operative. The plan had much opposition for many reasons, one being too big and too tall - Liverpool's aversion to advancement which persists even today. Albert Dock was also grade 1 listed in 1952, which added to the opposition.

Harry Hyams said, "these old crocks of protected buildings at the Albert Dock are getting in the way of the world beating water city with six 50 floor glass towers. What good are they? Pull ?em down, we need glass towers."

The plan was scaled down in 1970 to a one 44 floor tower with smaller buildings around, then forgotten. Harry Hyams was the London developer shark responsible for Centre Point Tower in London.

[irishseashipping.com]

Why couldn't they keep the one I marked with a red circle? That would of been awesome to have kept.

Anyone know what It was used for?

Why didn't they retain moveable bridges to allow vessels larger than small cabin cruisers, canal boats and DUKWs access to Salthouse Dock?

John

[Waterways]

Why didn't they retain moveable bridges to allow vessels larger than small cabin cruisers, canal boats and DUKWs access to Salthouse Dock?

John

They cost more and British Waterways only understand canals and canal boats, totally not understanding the Liverpool Docks and the history. Not to allow large vessels into any of those docks is indicative of an authority with no clue whatsoever.

All the docks should have movable bridges re-instated from Brunswick to Canning. The large Brunswick river lock should be re-instated to accommodate large vessels. They can then enter at Brunswick and move down to Canning. The Canning/Albert river locks are too narrow for some ships

[Waterways]

Why couldn't they keep the one I marked with a red circle? That would of been awesome to have kept.

Anyone know what It was used for?

It is pretty clear it was office accommodation. The chimney stacks give it away.

Below: Dukes Dock.The building can be seen here, and looks used. Albert Dock to the left - 1964.


The superb delta potico Brindley warehouses, from the 1700s, were systematically demolished in the 1970s. Brindley designed the Bridgewater canal and many of the locks and bridges too.

Many Philistines were pressing for Hartley's Albert Dock masterpiece to be dynamited into the dock, for the building of the Polytechnic and its car-park.

They got their way on the Brindley warehouses adjacent. Thank God we had the likes of Quentin Hughes and Tony Moscardini who could see what was obvious to all but those in power.

Below: Albert Dock is behind the camera. This Dukes Dock warehouse was demolished in 1964.

[Ged]

Another act of vandalism which must rank alongside the usual suspects like the Sailors home, David Lewis and Customs House.

[Waterways]

Dukes Dock in 1956. Albert Dock to the left. The 1700s warehouses are already being demolished.


From English heritage.

[irishseashipping.com]

They cost more and British Waterways only understand canals and canal boats, totally not understanding the Liverpool Docks and the history. Not to allow large vessels into any of those docks is indicative of an authority with no clue whatsoever.

British Waterways only took ownership of the waterways in the south docks a few years ago. The blame for this goes back to the original redevelopment of the Albert Dock.

What I find really annoying is the negative attitude towards larger vessels.

John