Deal porters carrying timber on their shoulders. That was a common sight here at The Surrey Docks. Welcome to what was once a bustling hub of international trade. Today, we’re exploring the history of The Surrey Docks. The Surrey Docks operated from 1696 to 1969.
Let’s journey back to the origins of The Surrey Docks. This area was once marshland. It wasn’t good for farming. However, its location near the City of London made it perfect for docks. In 1620, the Mayflower even set sail from Rotherhithe. It headed to Southampton for supplies before its voyage to New England.
In 1696, the Howland Great Wet Dock was created. It was named after the family who owned the land. At the time, it was the largest dock. It could hold 120 ships. By the mid-18th century, the dock became a base for Arctic whalers. It was then renamed Greenland Dock.
The 19th century brought huge changes to The Surrey Docks. Trade increased with Scandinavia, the Baltic, and Canada. The docks expanded to accommodate the growing number of ships. Eventually, 85% of the Rotherhithe peninsula was covered by docks. There were nine docks, six timber ponds, and a canal. Some docks were named after the origins of their cargo. Names like Canada Dock, Quebec Pond, Norway Dock, and Russia Dock appeared. The Grand Surrey Canal opened in 1807. It was meant to connect the docks inland. However, it was not very successful. Only a few miles were ever built.
The Surrey Docks developed a unique working culture. It was different from the Isle of Dogs across the river. The deal porters were a common sight. These dockers carried huge timbers on their shoulders. They even wore special headgear to protect themselves.
After World War II, The Surrey Docks began to decline. The docks suffered heavy damage from air raids. The South Dock was used to build concrete caissons for the Mulberry Harbours used on D-Day. The final blow came with containerization. The docks could not handle the larger container ships. The Surrey Docks closed in 1969. The Grand Surrey Canal closed in 1971. The area became derelict. Warehouses were demolished and most of the docks were filled.
But the story of The Surrey Docks doesn’t end there. In 1981, the London Docklands Development Corporation was formed. Its goal was to redevelop the area. During the 1980s and 1990s, The Surrey Docks were transformed into Surrey Quays. Over 5,500 new homes were built. South Dock became a marina. It is now the largest in London. Greenland Dock became a water sports center. Canada Water and Russia Dock were turned into wildlife reserves. Norway Dock was re-excavated as a water feature. The Albion Channel was created to link Canada and Surrey Waters. In 1988, the Surrey Quays shopping center opened. The nearby Underground station was renamed Surrey Quays.
Today, The Surrey Docks is a vibrant residential and leisure area. It still retains the name Surrey Docks for the electoral ward. While much has changed, the echoes of its maritime past remain. They are a reminder of London’s rich trading history.