Liverpool Photo Gallery - The Docks

Liverpool's first dock was built in the early 18th century, and soon the city became a major seaport in the triangle of trade between Africa, the Americas, and England. Slaves were brought to the US to work in plantations, while goods produced by these plantations were exported to England. Eventually, Liverpool's docks extended some 7 miles. Royal Albert Dock opened in 1846 and was once used to accept and store valuable commodities such as tobacco, sugar, silk, and tea. It employed revolutionary technology at the time with fireproof warehouses and hydraulic cranes to move the heavy cargo, reducing unloading and turn-around times. The dock closed in 1972 as containerisation changed the face of shipping. Silt built up as the dock was abandoned in 1981. However, regeneration took place through the 1980s, with the Merseyside Maritime Museum being the first public building to open in 1986. This red brick building dates from 1874 and was previously the docks' pumping station. Now a pub, it also has an outdoor seating area to enjoy a pint with the view. There are plenty of water views around and a long promenade along the River Mersey coastline.