Place    From 1696  To 1969

Surrey Docks

Categories: Commerce, Transport

The south bank of the Thames used to be in Surrey, now in Southwark. The first dock created here in 1696 was initially named Howland Great Wet Dock and then Greenland Dock due to the whaling ships that used it. By the mid 1800s the Commercial Dock Company had built many other docks on the east side of the Rotherhithe peninsula and the Surrey Dock Company had done the same on the west side. In 1865 the two companies merged to form the Surrey Commercial Docks Company. The bodies of water that we can see named on the 1889 insurance map are: Globe Pond, Lavender Pond, Acorn Pond, Lady Dock, Norway Dock, Greenland Dock, South Dock, Stave Dock, Russia Dock, Island Dock, Basin, Albion Dock, Canada Dock, Canada Pond, Quebec Pond, Centre Pond, Commercial Basin, Grand Surrey Canal.

1895-1904 Greenland Dock was greatly enlarged by John Wolfe-Barry, approximately doubling in length and depth.

The docks were badly damaged by bombing in WW2, but it was the containerisation of international freight transport that brought the end of these docks - they were too small for the size of those ships.

Largely drained and filled in, the area was redeveloped during the 1980s and 90s and renamed Surrey Quays.

2025: A Short History of the Surrey Commercial Docks, 1999, by Stuart Rankin looks to be a good source.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Surrey Docks

Commemorated ati

Hydraulic lock gate engine

Hydraulic Lock Gate Engine This machinery was installed in 1902, at the time ...

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Hydraulic sluice

Hydraulic Sluice The sluice gate inside this pit was raised and lowered using...

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Lock Keepers Office

Lock Keepers Office The crews of men who worked ships in and out of Greenland...

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Norway cut swing bridge

Norway cut swing bridge This footbridge, with its granite paving, formerly st...

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Surrey Commercial Docks - relief model

{Around the rim:} London Docklands 1989 Surrey Commercial Docks 1896 Designe...

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Show all 10

Other Subjects

Caparo Group

Caparo Group

Company, based in Portland Place, founded by Lord Paul, specialising predominantly in the manufacture of steel, automotive and general engineering products.

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
William Kiffin

William Kiffin

Non-conformist minister.  Born in London.  Became rich in the wool trade.  Died in London.  Buried in Bunhill burial ground.

Person, Commerce, Religion

1 memorial
Stakis PLC

Stakis PLC

Hotel group founded in the 1960s by Reo Stakis. They bought Caxton Hall in 1986, intending to develop it as offices and flats, but by the time they were given approval, the property market had cras...

Group, Commerce

1 memorial
Pimlico Tavern & Pimlico Pleasure Gardens, Hoxton

Pimlico Tavern & Pimlico Pleasure Gardens, Hoxton

It seems likely that this tavern and pleasure gardens took the name of a publican with the foreign name 'Pimlico'.  There were many places of entertainment nearby and the whole area became known as...

Place, Commerce, Food & Drink, Music / songs, Theatre

1 memorial
Ibstock Building Products Ltd

Ibstock Building Products Ltd

From their website: "... clay and concrete building products, building the face of Britain for over 200 years."

Group, Commerce, Property

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry

Footballer. Born at Les Ulis, Essonne, France. He played for several teams and is best known for his time with Arsenal F.C. from 1999 to 2007. 

Person, Sport / Games, France

1 memorial
Royal Society of Arts

Royal Society of Arts

Founded by William Shipley as the "Society of Arts" in Rawthmell's Coffee House. They carried on meeting in coffee houses and taverns but as the society grew they needed more space. Shipley rented ...

Group, Art, Commerce

18 memorials