The dock labourers’ strike: sweethearts and wives.

Repro ID: H4463

Description: Women played a major part during the 1889 dock strike. It was a role that was often ignored by the media. A docker's wife wrote to the 'Manchester Guardian' and outlined the views of the women. 'Because women are not in the front of the strike, it does not mean that their hearts are less...angry about the matter. They acknowledge it to be a time for "deeds not words" but none the less are they taking their share of labour in the battle of wrong against right; and if I venture to break the silence as one of themselves, I only do so to remind some, ready to condemn the strikers because of the sufferings brought upon weakly wives and innocent children, that those whom they pity rejoice to suffer. Nor is it, perhaps, too much to say that these brave-hearted women are proud to teach the children at their knee that if it is only in this way that oppression and wrong can be successfully combated, it is best to meet it thus.'

Creator: 'Illustrated London News'

Date: 7 September 1889

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London