Grimsby Docks

Aerial view of Grimsby Docks

Grimsby Docks are the docks of the Port of Grimsby in the town of Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire, England.

The docks are served by the Grimsby Docks railway station.

History

Grimsby developed around a small river called the Haven, which joined the Humber and provided a safe haven for ships on the estuary. During the twelfth century, imports included coal from Newcastle upon Tyne, wine from France and Spain, and timber from Norway. The main export was wool. There were problems with silting in the fifteenth century, although imports of coal continued to increase, and grain was added to the cargos exported.^[1]

In 1796, an Act of Parliament was obtained, which authorised the construction of new quays and dredging of the Haven to make it deeper.^[1] By the middle of the century, a more radical solution was needed, and the foundation stone for the Royal Dock was laid by Albert the Prince consort in 1849. The dock covers 25 acres (10 ha) and was formally opened by Queen Victoria in 1854. The dock gates and cranes were operated by hydraulic power, and the 300-foot (91 m) Grimsby Dock Tower was built to provide a head of water with sufficient pressure by William Armstrong. Two locks connected the dock to the Humber.^[2] Opening of the No. 1 Fish Dock followed in 1856. Further construction took place in the 1870s, with No. 2 Fish Dock opening in 1877 and the Union Dock and Alexandra Dock in 1879. The fishing fleet expanded, and No. 3 Fish Dock was built in 1934.^[1]

References

Coordinates: 53°34′40″N 0°04′28″W / 53.5777798°N 0.0743294°W / 53.5777798; -0.0743294