General view of the Victoria Dock.

Repro ID: H5229

Description: An 'Illustrated London News' engraving of the Royal Victoria Dock, opened by Prince Albert in 1855. It was built because the upstream docks were too small for the newer and larger steamships. Situated slightly to the east of the mouth of the Lea, the dock covered almost 45 hectares (100 acres) of water with a total length of 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles). As originally constructed the sides of the docks were largely earthen banks. The dock was extensively rebuilt in the late 1930s.

Creator: 'Illustrated London News'

Date: 16 February 1856

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London