The old London Docks Part 2

[mossie]

I'll start this report with two street maps, which is what I should have done originally. I had forgotten I still had an old street atlas which shows the Docks as they were. Here



and this is the current version, It shows the relationship to the Tower of London, but cuts off most of Shadwell Basin, but I hope you get the general layout.



Note that most of the docks have been totally redeveloped, larger ships could not be handled in the old docks, which were not deep or big enough. Also, proximity to the city meant the surface area was far too valuable for mere docks. I suppose the newspaper magnate Murdoch started the trend with his union busting effort to move his papers from Fleet Street to the main Western Docks along Pennington St., and the rest is history.

So yesterday I made a start wandering the area, beginning by taking the bus from Liverpool St station to Pierhead which straddles the old Wapping Entrance to Wapping Basin, which is now the John Orwell sports centre.



Trespassing down a road marked "Private" I could snatch a shot what shouts London on the Thames



Close by is the 'Town of Ramsgate' pub where I had some lunch to fortify myself for the stroll



A proper old pub jammed in beside Wapping Old Stairs, which lead down to an old landing stage on the river, descend at your peril



Up the road are typical warehouses which have been rebuilt as very expensive flats, lucky to get anything under a £million here



The far side of the river has also been gentrified but just shows the remains of an old landing stage



By now I had been able to join the Thames Path and get to the river near Tower Bridge Wharf where the outlet from the old Dock still shows as a stream trickling down this old causeway



here are a collection of boats moored, including this little river barge transformed into a houseboat.



there are also views of exotic warehouse conversions on the South side of the river



here is St Saviour's Dock on the South side



On my side I pass Alderman Stairs



But we are close to Tower Bridge and the Shard



The flats get more exotic, and doubtless far more expensive here



but congregating is strictly forbidden



Some type of duck with her ducklings were snoozing at the waters edge



Now I had reached the entrance to St Katherines's Dock, which lays alongside Tower Bridge



But. Heave to, or we'll blast you out of the water!



here is the Little Mermaid playing with the Dolphin



A look at this strange lighthouse like structure across the river, looks like an architect's bad dream



and I walk under Tower Bridge



"Abandon hope all ye who enter here"



here visitors are exiting after touring the Tower of London



and I sat to admire the view and join the other happy snappers with a standard view which just has to be taken, before catching a bus back to Liverpool Street and home to bed.

[breeze]

Mossie, I'm beginning to think you're an old salt since you're drawn to the sea and shipping so often.

Those maps you started with--that's what a map should look like--clear, easy to read, colorful, different fonts and sizes of type. There's romance in a map like that.

What, no barmaids?

[mickthecactus]

I agree breeze. That map is brilliant. Lots of history there.

[mickthecactus]

Mossie, although I know London well this is absolutely excellent and fascinating.

A couple of weeks ago we went to Hoxton for a meal - what an area that has become! Once upon a time you wouldn't go anywhere near Hoxton but now it's all trendy pubs and bars and restaurants. Old London is slowly disappearing. They say Tottenham is the next area for gentrification.

[kerouac2]

You certainly get around for someone who says he can't walk. But I saw how much you walked last time in Paris!

Great pictures as always. I have never actually been that close to Tower Bridge myself. I must get to that part of the city one of these days.

[cheerypeabrain]

Excellent report young man X

[mich64]

Great photos Mossie. Particularly enjoyed the two maps.

[lagatta]

Well, he is a navigator, just an airborne one. Of course he likes maps. Beautiful little report.

I suppose a lot of people doing ill-paid service jobs in cities as dear as London must travel a long way on their commute...

[bixaorellana]

Oh, wonderful! I always love your picture reports on London then and now. (also the ones on coastal areas!) This one is classic, really showing the old and the new together. As you know, I'm a fan of how London mixes its antique and contemporary architecture, but I have to say that I really disapprove of those pink apartment arches.

I suppose that lighthouse building was there since long ago and the brick structures built around it -?-
It seems to me that I saw it, but from the other side when I was in that area. Can't find a picture to prove it, though.

[lugg]

Thanks Mossie super interesting report . I have never seen the mermaid and dolphin sculpture I will have to look out for it next time I am in that part of London. I suppose congregating is more genteel than loitering

[tod2]

I missed your report first time around Mossie - I need to come with you next time as I could never find any steps down to the river shore when the tide was out. I was longing to spot some long lost ancient coin or bracelet. I know it's forbidden to venture onto the muddy pebbles without a "mudlark' license or something but maybe an ignorant tourist could spend a few minutes scratching around.
I have walked around the Wapping area over the years and highly recommend it.

[cheerypeabrain]

The building in the picture underneath the one of the mermaid and dolphin statue is the Anchor Brewhouse building I think...OH did a lot of work in the top structure and the top floor apartment(he was a glazier) Apparently each floor is one apartment! Very luxurious and worth millions.