West India Docks Collection

Barrels of molasses, West India Docks, London, 1926-1927. Artist: Langfier Photo
Barrels of molasses, West India Docks, London, 1926-1927. Illustration from Wonderful London, edited by Arthur St John Adcock, Volume I, published by Amalgamated Press, (London, 1926-1927)

Sugar bags hanging out to dry, North Quay, West India Docks, 1900

The new East and West India Docks at Tilbury, opened last week, 1886. Creator: Unknown
The new East and West India Docks at Tilbury, opened last week, 1886. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper Volume 33. January to June, 1886"

Port of London Authority - Map, 1937. Creator: Unknown
Port of London Authority - Map, 1937. The River Thames in London, showing Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, St Katharine Docks, Western and Eastern Docks, West India Docks, Blackwall Basin

West India Dock, 1895. Creator: Thomas Robert Way
West India Dock, 1895

Convent Garden Market, Corn Exchange, Billingsgate Market, Coal Exchange, East India Docks, St Katherine Docks
5210069 Convent Garden Market, Corn Exchange, Billingsgate Market, Coal Exchange, East India Docks, St Katherine Docks, Victoria Docks, West India Docks, London Docks (engraving) by English School

London as seen from a Balloon (engraving)
1061644 London as seen from a Balloon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: London as seen from a Balloon)

The New East and West India Docks at Tilbury, opened Last Week (engraving)
1061970 The New East and West India Docks at Tilbury, opened Last Week (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The New East and West India Docks at Tilbury)

Taking the Census (engraving)
605212 Taking the Census (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page from the Illustrated Times (published on 20 April 1861)

Bird s-Eye View of the West India Docks, London (engraving)
664926 Bird s-Eye View of the West India Docks, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bird s-Eye View of the West India Docks, London)

The Naval Reserve practising on Board HMS "Brilliant, "in the West India Docks (engraving)
2773027 The Naval Reserve practising on Board HMS " Brilliant, " in the West India Docks (engraving) by English School

Opening of a New Dry Dock in the West India Docks (engraving)
1589950 Opening of a New Dry Dock in the West India Docks (engraving) by Robinson, Charles (1840-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: Opening of a New Dry Dock in the West India Docks)

Barrels of rum stored in a warehouse at West India Docks (b / w photo)
3637375 Barrels of rum stored in a warehouse at West India Docks (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

West India Docks (coloured engraving)
811020 West India Docks (coloured engraving) by Rowlandson, T. (1756-1827) & Pugin, A.C. (1762-1832) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: West India Docks)

Carriers of Londons food: unloaded cargo boats in the south dock of West India Docks (b / w photo)
3637376 Carriers of Londons food: unloaded cargo boats in the south dock of West India Docks (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Census (engraving)
2773404 Census (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Census. Illustration for the Illustrated Times)

West India Docks, Isle of Dogs, from London and its Environs in the Nineteenth
931563 West India Docks, Isle of Dogs, from London and its Environs in the Nineteenth Century pub. Jones & Co. 1827-1829 (engraving) by Shepherd

Excavating the New South Dock, West India Docks, at the Limehouse Entrance (engraving)
1611017 Excavating the New South Dock, West India Docks, at the Limehouse Entrance (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Excavating the New South Dock)

London Dock Strike of 1889 (litho)
1596157 London Dock Strike of 1889 (litho) by Almond, William Douglas (1866-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: London Dock Strike of 1889)

The Unemployed of London (engraving)
1623163 The Unemployed of London (engraving) by Forestier, Amedee (1854-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Unemployed of London)

West India Docks, from the South East (colour litho)
815394 West India Docks, from the South East (colour litho) by Parrott, William (1813-69); Private Collection; (add.info.: West India Docks, from the South East)

The West India Docks (b / w photo)
3628446 The West India Docks (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The West India Docks)

Barrels of molasses at West India Docks (b / w photo)
3637377 Barrels of molasses at West India Docks (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Barrels of molasses at West India Docks)

Trades in Regency Ireland and England: Cork, Dublin and London Docks
6340324 Trades in Regency Ireland and England: Cork, Dublin and London Docks by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: Trades in Regency Ireland and England: Cork, Dublin and London Docks)

The Ship "Tory, "in the West India Docks (engraving)
1101548 The Ship " Tory, " in the West India Docks (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Ship " Tory, " in the West India Docks)

Carriers of Londons Food: Unloaded Cargo Boats in the South Dock of the West India Docks, c1935. Ships at the Isle of Dogs on the River Thames in London

View of West India Docks, Poplar, London, 1802

Plan of proposed docks at the Isle of Dogs, now the site of West India Docks, London, 1820

Proposed canals and docks, London, 1800. Plan of a proposed canal and wet docks for the Isle of Dogs, to aid West India trade

View of West India Docks from the south east, 1840. Artist: William Parrott
View of West India Docks from the south east, 1840. Showing figures making repairs to ships and boats or handling cargo

West India Docks, Poplar, London, 1830. Artist: William Parrott
West India Docks, Poplar, London, 1830; view of a ship being fitted out by caulkers, shipwrights, riggers and sailors

West India Docks, Poplar, London, c1830. Artist: Thomas Barber
View of West India Docks, Poplar, London, c1830; with vessels on the water

West India Docks, Poplar, London, 1802. Artist: William Daniell
View of the newly constructed West India Docks, Poplar, London, looking north, 1802

West India Dock, London, 19th century. Artist: J Woods
West India Dock, London, 19th century. Sailing ships on the Thames

Dockers unloading sugar at West India Docks, London, 1889. Each docker wheels a trolley carrying a single sack which is recorded and marked

Unloading frozen meat from Australia, South West India Dock, Millwall, London, 1881. Interior of the hold of the Catania, which sailed on 28 August from Sydney with nearly 120 tons of meat

West India Docks, London, 1808-1810. Artist: Augustus Charles Pugin
West India Docks, London, 1808-1810. The docks were built in 1799-1802. The chief engineer was William Jessop, and the warehouses were built by George Gwilt (1746-1807)

West India Dock, illustration from History of London: Illustrated by views of London
XJF444367 West India Dock, illustration from History of London: Illustrated by views of London and Westminster by John Woods, engraved by John Woods, publishe 1838 (engraving) by Topham

West India Docks, UK, Isles of Dogs, London, engraving 1881 - 1884

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The West India Docks in London have a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. This bustling hub of maritime activity was once home to various markets and docks, each with its own unique charm. One can only imagine the sights and sounds that filled these docks during their heyday. From barrels of molasses being transported from ships to warehouses, to sugar bags hanging out to dry on the North Quay, there was always a sense of industry and commerce in the air. They were not alone in their importance. They were part of a larger network of docks including East India Docks, St Katherine Docks, Victoria Docks, and even London Docks. Engravings from that era depict these vibrant centers as they bustled with trade and activity. London itself could be seen from a different perspective - high up in a balloon. An engraving captures this bird's-eye view, showcasing the city's sprawling landscape dotted with iconic landmarks like Convent Garden Market, Corn Exchange, Billingsgate Market, and Coal Exchange. In 1926-1927, Langfier Photo captured an image that showcases barrels of rum stored within one of the warehouses at West India Docks. The black-and-white photo adds an element of nostalgia as we glimpse into this bygone era. But it wasn't just about trade; there was also room for leisure activities. The Naval Reserve would often practice on board HMS "Brilliant" within the confines - an impressive sight indeed. Over time, new developments took place within these historic docks. Tilbury saw the opening of new East and West India Docks - an event celebrated through engravings capturing this momentous occasion. And let us not forget about infrastructure improvements. Another engraving depicts the grand opening ceremony for a new dry dock within West India Docks - progress at its finest.