HotpixUK-2019
2-365-087 Dusk at Gloucester Docks
The Main Basin at Gloucester was constructed as the terminus of the ship canal with an entrance from the Severn estuary at Sharpness. As the work was nearing completion, there was concern that the basin would not be large enough for the trade expected, and so an additional Barge Arm was constructed to ensure that the Main Basin could be kept free for sea-going ships. In addition, the Canal Company built a warehouse at the north end of the basin. The canal was formally opened on the 26 April 1827, and a huge crowd gathered to watch the first two vessels enter the basin amid the firing of guns and the ringing of church bells.
Warehouses were built around the Main Basin, an earlier dry dock was enlarged, and an engine house was built to augment the canal's water supply by pumping from the River Severn. To extend the quay space, Bakers Quay was constructed along the canal, and this was mainly laid out for timber yards. Large storage yards were necessary as the timber loading ports were iced-up during the winter and most of the imports arrived during the summer and autumn. Several of the yards were surrounded by high fences and were locked up under customs supervision so that foreign timber could be stored there without paying import duty. Some of the ships bringing timber from North America were locally owned, and they often carried emigrants on the outward journey.
In recent times, the survival of the old warehouses made the Main Basin an ideal location for filming historical drama, and many scenes for the popular television series The Onedin Line were filmed in front of Biddle Warehouse. New uses have been found for the warehouses, and the docks are developing as a popular leisure and residential area.
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Have a look at my archived photography, from ten years back at www.flickr.com/photos/hotpixuk/
All images (c) Tony Smith - @HotpixUK - No images to be used without express permission
2-365-087 Dusk at Gloucester Docks
The Main Basin at Gloucester was constructed as the terminus of the ship canal with an entrance from the Severn estuary at Sharpness. As the work was nearing completion, there was concern that the basin would not be large enough for the trade expected, and so an additional Barge Arm was constructed to ensure that the Main Basin could be kept free for sea-going ships. In addition, the Canal Company built a warehouse at the north end of the basin. The canal was formally opened on the 26 April 1827, and a huge crowd gathered to watch the first two vessels enter the basin amid the firing of guns and the ringing of church bells.
Warehouses were built around the Main Basin, an earlier dry dock was enlarged, and an engine house was built to augment the canal's water supply by pumping from the River Severn. To extend the quay space, Bakers Quay was constructed along the canal, and this was mainly laid out for timber yards. Large storage yards were necessary as the timber loading ports were iced-up during the winter and most of the imports arrived during the summer and autumn. Several of the yards were surrounded by high fences and were locked up under customs supervision so that foreign timber could be stored there without paying import duty. Some of the ships bringing timber from North America were locally owned, and they often carried emigrants on the outward journey.
In recent times, the survival of the old warehouses made the Main Basin an ideal location for filming historical drama, and many scenes for the popular television series The Onedin Line were filmed in front of Biddle Warehouse. New uses have been found for the warehouses, and the docks are developing as a popular leisure and residential area.
If you are on Twitter, do add a follow there and I will follow back in return mobile.twitter.com/HotpixUK
Have a look at my archived photography, from ten years back at www.flickr.com/photos/hotpixuk/
All images (c) Tony Smith - @HotpixUK - No images to be used without express permission