Moving goods

Tea being delivered from Hay's Wharf bonded warehouse. © NMM

The movement and delivery of goods from and to the wharves, docks and warehouses of London also necessitated a large workforce.

At first the transportation of goods was carried out by horse and cart and canal barge. Later the development of railways and lorries accelerated the process.

Railways and motor vehicles

Union Castle lorry by the Kenya Castle in King George V Dock. © NMM

The Royal Victoria Dock was the first in London to be directly connected with the national railway system. This meant that imported goods could be moved around the country faster than before.

Lorries also became a regular feature of the port. Many of the larger shipping companies had their own fleet of vehicles.

Shown here is a Union Castle lorry parked alongside the Kenya Castle at the King George V Dock.

Traditional methods remain

Station Yard at the Surrey Commercial Docks. © NMM

Although motor vehicles gradually took over, horse-drawn wagons loaded with goods from the docks were a regular sight in the streets of maritime London well into the 20th century.

Loading paper at the Surrey Commercial Docks, c. 1922. © NMM

This image shows paper being loaded onto wagons at the Surrey Commercial Docks in 1922.

One of the main British sources of paper was Scandinavia, which was also a vital supplier of timber.