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What is left of the old port: The West India Docks
| The West India Docks, opened in 1802, were the first of the enclosed docks. They were literally enclosed - being cut off from the surrounding area by a high wall and a moat. Much has survived, despite wartime destruction and the building of the massive Canary Wharf complex on part of the dock site. |
Guard House. |
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| The round Guard House, one of two built in 1802-03. This served as an armoury and lock-up. It was outside the original perimeter moat, but was linked to the dock by a drawbridge. | |
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No 1 Gate. |
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| The original No 1 Gate. This was the main entrance to the West India Docks and was the scene of the daily 'call-on' - where dock labourers would be taken on for a day's work. | |
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Constables' cottages. |
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| These cottages in Garford Street, designed by John Rennie and built in 1819, were for the constables of the West India Dock Company. | |
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Commemorative wall tablet. |
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| The wall tablet that once graced the original entrance to the docks. It heaps praise on the 'public spirited individuals' who had promoted the docks. | |
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The Dockmaster's House. |
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| This building served many functions. It has been an excise office, the Jamaica Tavern, and even the Dockmaster's House. It is now a public house. | |
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Replica of original entrance gate. |
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| A modern replica of the original entrance gate demolished in 1932. On top of the original gate was a sculpture of the 'Hibbert' a vessel engaged in the West India trade, and named after the chairman of the West India Dock Company. | |
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Warehouses at the Import Dock. |
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| The impressive warehouses on the North Quay of the West India Dock Import Dock. Designed by George Gwyllt, these are the most important surviving early dock warehouses in London. | |
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