George's Dock, Liverpool

Part of Liverpool Docks

George's Dock was a dock, on the River Mersey, within the Port of Liverpool. It was connected to Canning Dock to the south and George's Basin to the north.

Construction of the dock began in 1762, and was known as North Dock prior to completion. The dock, which opened in 1771, was designed and built by Henry Berry and named after the reigning monarch, King George III. The dock basin originally covered an area of slightly more than 3 acres (1.2 ha).

The Goree Warehouses were built to the east of the dock in 1793, and severely damaged during a fire in 1802 which caused over £320,000 of damage. The dock was rebuilt and expanded between 1822-5, after losing its American and Caribbean shipping to Prince's Dock, being expanded by John Foster, Sr. Following the rebuild and expansion, the dock was mainly used by schooners carrying perishable goods.

1845 'Erection of a New Swing Bridge at the George’s Dock.— The Dock Committee have completed the erection of new swing bridge at the north end of the George’s Dock, for the convenience of the crowds of persons passing to and from the Cheshire shore. In principle it is somewhat similar to the swing bridge at the Salthouse Dock. There are two carriage ways, one for vehicles going to, and the other for vehicles returning from, the pier; and we know of no better plan which could have been adopted, provided the drivers are made to keep their respective sides, which is not always done, for the prevention of accidents and the speedy transit of passengers and luggage. In order that the carriage ways and side paths may be sufficiently spacious for a thoroughfare likely to become more populous now than ever it has been heretofore, the bridge has been made considerably above the ordinary width. It has an almost imperceptible inclination from the centre, and will be opened in an incredibly short time, for the ingress and egress of vessels, means of four orancks, one of which is fixed at each corner. The whole of the iron work and machinery has been manufactured at the Haigh ironworks, near Wigan, and, for strength and durability, cannot be excelled.'

The adjoining George's Basin was filled in 1874. In 1899-1900 the dock was filled in to create what is now the Pier Head, to provide one central place for Liverpool Docks' offices, which before were scattered across different sites. A section of the original George's Dock wall is still visible in the basement of the Cunard Building which stands on the site. The Goree Warehouses, which had been named after Gorée, a slaving port in West Africa, were destroyed by bombing during World War II. Interesting information and illustrations here.

By March 2009, work was completed on a £22 million extension of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on the site of the former basin. The canal extension provides a further 1.4 miles of navigable waterway.

See Also

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Sources of Information

• Wikipedia