Port city: London on the river – in pictures
A new exhibition examines the impact of the Port of London on our capital city, exploring the complex operations that have connected London to the rest of the world, from the final days of the 18th century to the creation of the huge London Gateway megaport at Thurrock in the Thames estuary
- London: Port City runs from 22 October 2021 to 8 May 2022 at the Museum of London Docklands, itself part of West India Docks, London’s first enclosed dock system
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Tea samples being packed in the Commercial Road warehouses, c1930-1945
Photograph: Fox Photos/PLA Collection/Museum of London
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A sample of tobacco is inspected by a customs official at Royal Victoria Dock, c1930-1940
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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A raftsman manoeuvring floating timber, c1930-1945
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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Aerial view of the gauging ground at London docks, showing the huge amount of wine barrels that passed through, November 1920
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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Dockers unloading crates of potatoes into a large basket, North Quay, West India Docks, 1948
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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Trucks bound for Mombasa being loaded for shipment at Royal Albert Dock, 1955
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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Horse-drawn van loaded with goods on the south side of King George V Dock, 1942
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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Passengers on the Tilbury landing stage on 14 July 1934. Smartly dressed and carrying hand luggage, they may be about to board the unidentified vessel alongside
Photograph: Museum of London
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The first group of six female recruits to the PLA police force, shown walking in line at the Royal Docks, 1954
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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A man holding up two giant Mediterranean sponges for auction at Cutler Street warehouse, 1933
Photograph: Fox Photos/PLA Collection/Museum of London
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The Pool of London, 1927. This evocative shot shows the port in its heyday. In the centre, two lightermen manoeuvre their barge with sweeps in the traditional way
Photograph: A.G. Linney/Museum of London
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Animals landed from the SS Medic at Tilbury Docks, c1915-1925
Photograph: PLA Collection/Museum of London
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The diver Alfred Yates, with assistants, prepares to go down for underwater repairs in April 1930, in the passage between Norway and Lady docks
Photograph: A.G. Linney/Museum of London
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Few workers possessed alarm clocks, so the services of this ‘knocker up’ were in demand. Mary Smith’s clients were roused by her shooting peas at their windows. East End of London, 1927
Photograph: John Topham / TopFoto
