The Thames and its docks

A LECTURE BY ALEX R FORROW ( Of the East and West India Dock Company )
Delivered at the East and West India Dock Company’s Literary Institution, December 18, 1876. Chairman: Percival Bosanquet, Esq., Chairman of the East and West India Dock Company.—Also at City of London College, Leadenhall Street, February 8, 1877. Chairman: George H. Chambers, Esq., Chairman of the London and St. Katharine Docks Company
LONDON PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SPOTTISWOODE & CO., 38 ROYAL EXCHANGE And to be had of All Booksellers 1877
TO J. L. DU PLAT TAYLOR, Esq. SECRETARY EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK COMPANY THIS LITTLE WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE WRITER
At the urgent request of many who have heard this lecture, I have been induced to publish it. I have had considerable hesitation in doing so, because, as its structure sufficiently indicates, it was never written with a view to publication. It is a sketch, and nothing more, of a great subject, condensed into a two hours’ address. As, however, it contains some curious information of considerable interest, otherwise difficult of access, it has been considered worthy of preservation in its present form. With a view to placing the readers of this lecture, as far as possible, in the position of hearers of it, I have accompanied it with some of the rarest and most interesting of the plans with which it was illustrated. Whatever may be its shortcomings in other respects—and I am conscious they are many—I venture to hope that this feature of it will prove generally acceptable.
A. Forrow.
Woodford: February 1877 .
THE THAMES AND ITS DOCKS.
The subject of this evening’s lecture is so vast and discursive, that to attempt, within the brief period of a lecture, to give more than a sketch of a particular portion of it, would be manifestly absurd. Moreover, as a visit to any of the Docks will result in the attainment of more practical information than could be imparted in a dozen lectures, we may very consistently dispense almost entirely with reference to contemporary dock history; and I intend doing so except in so far as incidental reference to that part of the subject may appear necessary. My object, in this lecture, is to convey some interesting information respecting the origin and growth of the facilities which have been provided in the river, from time to time, to meet the requirements of the mercantile marine of the port; to trace the steps by which its commerce has gradually been emancipated from its ancient river-side restrictions, and then lead up to notice the establishment of the magnificent system of docks, to which it so largely owes its marvellous growth. I propose to deal with this portion of the subject in preference to any other, because it is one of which, although exceedingly interesting, the literature is singularly scarce, fragmentary, and difficult of access. It is, however, obvious that the ground which we have to cover necessitates such rapid travelling, that it will be necessary to omit many interesting particulars to which I should, otherwise, have invited your attention.