Canada Dock History

Active Period - 1859 to present

1859

Canada Dock opens, away from other docks because of the risk of fire from its main cargo - timber. Ships are tied with their bow (front) on the quay so that the long pieces of timber can be dragged ashore. Visiting ships are a mix of sail and steam including transatlantic liners. Its entrance is 100ft-wide [image, new window].

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1862

A half-tide basin is added to Canada Dock to improve access.

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1879

The half-tide dock at Canada Dock is renamed Brocklebank Dock in honour of Ralph Brocklebank. He was Chair of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board from 1863-9 [image, new window].

1890

The entrance to Canada Dock is in the wrong place on the river. Winds make it difficult and dangerous to enter the dock. Silting in the half-tide dock is also a problem. Sluices (sliding gates) are built to deal with the problem but are not totally successful.

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1893

A major fire causes around £50,000 in damages to Canada Dock (this is worth around £3,333,000 today).

1896

A branch dock is added to Canada Dock. This makes more space for ships to moor.

1899

A graving dock is added to Canada Dock so that ships can be repaired.

A new river entrance opens at Sandon Dock. This allows much larger and deeper ships to visit Canada Dock.

1903

Another branch dock is added to Canada Dock. This gives even more space for mooring and unloading.

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1914 

World War I breaks out. The liner, Lusitania, is sent to Canada Dock where she is fitted with twelve 6-inch guns. However, they do not protect her against a submarine's torpedo and she sinks on May 7th 1915. 1198 people die [image, new window].

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1920s

Canada Dock still has problems with silting and a dangerous entrance so rebuilding begins. The new entrance will be closed to save money but will reopen when World War II breaks out in 1939.

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1950 

Fire almost destroys the sheds at Canada South 3 dock.

1950s

Trade patterns change. The Canada Dock is modernised and moves into cargo liners with companies like Harrison Line.

1962

Canada Dock's new entrance and basin are opened. These make it safer to sail from the open river into the dock.

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Today 

Canada Dock is still an important part of the Liverpool dock system. It has ro-ro berths and facilities for oil and general cargoes. The dock is also used as a scrap metal depot.

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