Liverpool Old Dock and Custom House

[Kev]

I was reading some information about Liverpool's Old Doc/ Steer's Dock that is currently beneath the new bus station and part of the Paradise Street Development opposite the Police Headquarters.


How the area looked before the dock was constructed, Liverpool Castle still visible.

Apparently there has been something there since the 17th century and it wasn't until the Dock Act was passed in 1709 did Thomas Steers start the work on the recognisable dock as seen on the maps. It was partially opened in 1715 for shipping.


The dock is visible here, by now the castle was gone (1715)

Steers was supposed to have used the old bricks and stone from the Liverpool Castle ruins to construct the dock.


You can see the developing area around the dock



In the years to come, Liverpool and its docks expanded and by the 19th century, problems became apparent, the small size of the dock plus its now isolated position with the north and south docks meant that with the introduction of the 1811 Liverpool Dock Act, the dock could be filled in. It stayed open until it was filled in a few years after.

Now this is where I became interested in Liverpool's Old Custom House that was built on the site. Certainly a candidate for the great lost buildings from Liverpool's past.




Salt House Dock in the foreground


You can see its proximity to the Albert Dock

How this building was lost is beyond me, it was heavily bombed during the war but the shell remained for many years afterwards. It should have been saved, no doubt


1941

Since then there has been a period of poor buildings being constructed once gems have been destroyed, something we are all regretting in this conservation conscious environment in 2006.



Remember this in the years that came? Then in 2001 came the big clear-up for the forth coming PSD.


Chavasse Park in the distance

Its almost heart wrenching when you suddenly realise how important historical dock locations are being filled in. The developers have promised to put a section of the Old Dock on show with a viewing gallery.