Plaque

West India Docks - foundation stone

Erection date: 12/7/1800

Inscription

Of this range of buildings constructed together with the adjacent docks, at the expense of public spirited individuals under the sanction of a provident legislature, and with the liberal co-operation of the corporate body of the City of London, for the distinct purpose of complete security and ample accommodation (hitherto not afforded) to the shipping and produce of the West Indies at this wealthy port, the first stone was laid on Saturday the twelfth day of July A.D. 1800 by the concurring hands of The Right Honourable Lord Loughborough, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, The Right Honourable William Pitt First Lord Commissioner of His Majesty's Treasury and Chancellor of His Majesty's Exchequer, George Hibbert Esq, the chairman and Robert Milligan Esq the deputy chairman of the West India Dock Company. The two former conspicuous in the band of those illustrious statesmen who in either House of Parliament have been zealous to promote the two latter distinguished among those chosen to direct an undertaking which, under the favour of God, shall contribute stability, increase and ornament to British commerce.

You have to admire the 1800 skill at sentence construction, and the confidence that others wold be equally skilled at reading the results.

Site: West India Docks - foundation stone (1 memorial)

E14, Hertsmere Road

The first docks, the two northern docks, were built 1800 - 02, designed by William Jessop and formally opened on 27 August 1802.

British History Online gives "...  the foundation stone of the first warehouse, at the south-east corner of what became No. 8 Warehouse. The stone carried a commemorative inscription, later replicated at the base of the clock-turret on No. 5 Warehouse, at the centre of the north quay".  We cannot find a photo of the stone at its original location. No 8 Warehouse had been demolished by 1982 when the Billingsgate fish market moved from the City of London to its new building on the north side of the north dock, at the east end. That was probably when the, unusually large, foundation stone was retrieved and reinstalled here, close to the Museum of Docklands. No 5 Warehouse has also been lost.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
West India Docks - foundation stone

Subjects commemorated i

George Hibbert

Merchant and politician. Born in Manchester. Along with Robert Milligan, he w...

Read More

Lord Loughborough

Lawyer and Lord Chancellor. Born Alexander Wedderburn, probably in Edinburgh....

Read More

Robert Milligan

Merchant. Born in Dumfries. He grew up on his family's sugar plantation in Ja...

Read More

William Pitt (the Younger)

Born Hayes, Kent. Son of William Pitt the Elder. Tory. Entered parliament in ...

Read More

West India Docks

A series of three docks on the Isle of Dogs. Their construction was largely t...

Read More

Nearby Memorials

Druids

Druids

W1, Poland Street, 23, King's Arms

In this old King's Arms Tavern the Ancient Order of Druids was revived 28th November 1781. This commemorative plaque was placed here on ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Rose and Crown, Wimbledon

Rose and Crown, Wimbledon

SW19, High Street, Wimbledon, Rose and Crown pub

The Rose and Crown - one of Wimbledon's oldest public houses, dating from the early 17th century. It was a starting point for stage coach...

3 subjects commemorated
Lilian Harvey

Lilian Harvey

N8, Weston Park, 13

Lilian Harvey, 1906 - 1968, actress born here.

1 subject commemorated
Leigh Hunt - NW3

Leigh Hunt - NW3

NW3, Vale of Health, South Villa

The plaque is on the back of the building, visible from a footpath.

1 subject commemorated
Joyce Grenfell - SW10

Joyce Grenfell - SW10

SW10, Elm Park Gardens, 34

Joyce Grenfell, 1910 - 1979, entertainer and writer, lived here in flat no.8, 1957 - 1979. English Heritage 

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator