Deal Porters Sculpture

Amidst the gentle ripples of Canada Water, the Deal Porters Sculpture commands attention. The Deal Porters Sculpture stands as a testament to the men who once toiled on these very docks. These men, known as deal porters, were a specialized breed of dockworker in London. They handled massive baulks of softwood, also known as “deal.” Imagine stacking these heavy timbers up to 60 feet high in the quayside warehouses. This was no easy feat. It demanded strength, dexterity, and a remarkable head for heights. Their skills earned them the nickname “Blondins,” after the famed tightrope walker Charles Blondin. The Deal Porters Sculpture captures the essence of these daring men. Two bronze figures are perched upon oak trestles and beams. A curving steel element completes the composition. It evokes the precarious nature of their work. These men risked life and limb daily. The New Survey of London Life and Labour, published in 1928, described their work as “heavy and dangerous.” It acknowledged that only experienced men could undertake such a task. The survey noted that a deal porter’s shoulder developed a callus. This callus allowed them to bear the immense weight and friction of the planks. Even with this hardened shoulder, their task remained unenviable. Imagine carrying a bundle of slippery planks across a shaking plankway. A fall would almost certainly result in serious injury. The deal porters were true specialists. Most of these men worked at the Surrey Commercial Docks in Rotherhithe. These docks specialized in timber. The Port of London Deal Porters’ Union represented the workers. Sadly, their trade eventually became obsolete in the 1940s. Mechanization offered a safer and more cost-effective way to move timber. Less arduous jobs became available elsewhere. The Deal Porters Sculpture ensures that these men are not forgotten. It serves as a lasting tribute to their hard work and bravery.