Description

GRIMSBY

TA2711SE ROYAL DOCK, The Docks
699-1/5/128 West lock to Royal Dock including
railings and bollards

GV II

Sea lock to Royal Dock. 1849-52, by James Rendel, engineer,
with Adam Smith of Brigg as resident engineer, and Hutchins,
Brown and White, contractors, for Grimsby Dock Company. York
stone sides with late C20 steel capping. The lock, measuring
300 by 70 feet, with a 27-foot depth of water on the sill at
spring tides, flanks the west side of the island pier on which
the Dock Tower stands (qv), and is larger than the parallel
lock on the east side (qv). Ashlar walls with recesses for 2
sets of lock gates and the outer flood gates, with water depth
inscribed alongside in Roman numerals. The gates are C20
replacements. Alongside are small areas of York stone paving
incorporating channels for hydraulic gear, twin and single
cast-iron mooring bollards, and iron railings incorporating
some C19 sections with column principals with ball finials.
HISTORY: the Royal Dock (qv), opened in 1852, was used
primarily for trade with Europe and the Baltic, and its
foundation stone was laid at the site of the lock gates by
Prince Albert in 1849(commemorated by the Statue of Prince
Albert in front of the Dock Offices (qv). The gates,
originally moved by water hydraulic power provided by the
low-pressure hydraulic Dock Tower, and later by the
high-pressure accumulator tower to the west (qv), are now
powered by oil hydraulics.
The Royal Dock and its 2 entrance locks (this one and its
partner east lock) are notable for the technical innovations
in dock structure and the use of hydraulic systems. The locks
are believed to be one of the first major uses of hydraulic
power, and the only low-pressure system of this type to be
built.
(Civil Engineering Heritage: Labrum EA: Eastern and Central
England: London: 1994-: 52-4; A guide to the Industrial
Archaeology of Lincolnshire & S.Humbs: Wright NR: Lincoln:
1983-: 16-18; University of Hull Publications: Gillett E: A
History of Grimsby: London: 1970-: 214-5; Ambler RW: Great
Grimsby Fishing Heritage: a brief for a trail: Grimsby Borough
Council: 1990-: 17-18, 20-22).

Listing NGR: TA2778711314

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26660092

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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