Canning Dock History

Active Period - 1737 to 1972

1737

What became Canning Dock is at this time the entrance to the Old Dock. It is improved to form a tidal basin. This protects wooden sailing vessels waiting to enter the main dock.

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1765 

Three graving docks are built at what will be Canning Dock. The dock will become a centre for ship repair. Two graving docks still exist today, making them the oldest such docks on Merseyside [image, new window].

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1810  

Two iron pitch boilers are installed at Canning graving docks. They are used to melt a tar-like substance (pitch) which is used for sealing the ship's seams (gaps between the wood). They are still on the dock today.

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1829

The tidal basin is fitted with outer gates, converting it into what will be Canning Dock; a wet dock. This makes the basin more useful and cargo can now be loaded and unloaded whatever the tide. Transit sheds are also built.

Pumps are fitted to the graving docks so that they can be emptied even when the wet dock is full.

1832

Canning Dock is officially named after the politician, George Canning.

Iron vessels are now visiting the graving docks. The vessels' masters have to provide thick, hardwood caps to prevent the metal damaging the graving blocks (the blocks on which the ships rest).

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1845  

A new half-tide entrance basin is built between Canning Dock and the river. It is named Canning Dock Basin. The entrance has two 45ft entrance passages separated by an island [image, new window].

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1883  

The Pilotage Building opens at Canning Pier Head. Mersey pilot boats are controlled from here.

1890s

Steam trawlers are introduced and land their catches in the southeast corner of Canning Dock. Dredgers and refrigerated ships bring fruit to the dock. Mersey flats and fishing boats are the main visitors [image, new window].

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1914 

Canning graving docks repair small ships involved in keeping the crucial North Atlantic trade flowing during World War I. The entrance is only 35ft-wide so larger ships do not fit.

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1937

The north gates of the Canning river entrance are sealed with a concrete dam. The south gates get a valve to admit river water.

1939

Pollution is killing fish. Costs are rising so much that the fishing industry at Canning Dock closes.

1945

Canning graving docks are used to repair smaller ships involved in the Atlantic convoys. The entrance is only 35ft-wide so larger ships do not fit.

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1960s

Canning Dock's main industry is now coastal trading. This includes fruit in refrigerated ships, sand and gravel. Other trades have declined. The dock is used less and less.

1965

Canning graving docks are closed. They did not have basic facilities like cranes, compressed air and ballast so they are not missed.

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1972

Canning and surrounding docks are abandoned because of the rising cost of dredging and falling traffic [image, new window].

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