Discharging paper from Canada into a lighter in the Royal Docks.

A lighter in the Royal Docks. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: H0357

Description: Despite the continued air attacks during the war, the docks remained in use. Athough the majority of shipping went elsewhere, the Royals still received a few ships from the Dominions. In this photograph a lighter is being loaded with paper from a Canadian merchant vessel. The discharging of goods directly into lighters - the so-called 'overside delivery' was always a notable feature of the port of London. Thanks to the 'free water clause' allowing lightermen accesss into the docks, even ships berthed in the docks discharged much of their cargo in this way.

Creator: Unknown

Date: 1941