'Why were the docks built in London during the 19th century?'
Answer: The old wharves were no longer able to cope with the volume of traffic. By the end of the 18th century, London was the victim of its own success. The expansion of trade meant congestion, with too many ships using the wharves. Some vessels had to wait weeks before they could unload. Some perishable cargoes were ruined by the delays, and many valuable goods were stolen from the ships. For the port to grow, new facilities for loading and unloading goods had to be built.