Geoff Topp Postcards|Birkenhead Docks

Birkenhead Docks

Docks

Bidston Dock, The Great Float, Grayson Rollo and Clover Docks, Morpeth Dock
New Tranmere Docks, Vittoria Dock

Photos are arranged in alphabetical order based on the names of the docks. Most Birkenhead docks were built around a tidal inlet that was called the Wallesey Pool. The map below shows the relationship between the various docks represented apart from Grayston Rollo and Clover Docks which were situated to the south of Woodside Landing Stage and north of the former Cammell Laird shipyard.

Birkenhead Docks Map — Extract from a 1925 map showing the Birkenhead Docks.

Bidston Dock

Bidston Dock was built at the far West end of the Great Float and was opened in 1933 to handle mainly iron ore. The dock was closed in the late 1990s and used for landfill.

The Great Float

A group of docks were built close to the river and the main body of water became known as The Great Float. It is split into two large docks - East Float and West Float that run approximately 2 miles from the Mersey with over 4 miles of quays. The docks were an important flour milling centre with huge buildings most of which have now been demolished. The remaining warehouses have been converted to apartments.

The Great Float is crossed by three road bridges; the Duke Street swing bridge divided East Float and West Float. At some time in the 1930s, the swing bridge shown below was replaced by a bascule bridge.

Duke Street Swing Bridge — A steam train crossing the Duke Street swing bridge. The date is not known.

East Float Alfred Dock — An aerial view showing East Float and Alfred Dock and locks. The date is not known.

Steam ships in East Float - believed to date from about 1929.

Tower Quay in East Float and Alfred Dock - believed to date from about 1905. The Tower was built as a hydraulic accumulator for hydraulic power used to operate the lock gates and bridges in the Birkenhead docks.

View of West Float. The date is unknown.

Flour Mills — View of Ranks and Spillers flour mills on West Float. The date is unknown.

East Float with the cargo ship **S.A. Shipper** and ICI Barnton in the background. The date is unknown.

Grayson Rollo and Clover Docks

Grayson Rollo and Clover was a ship repair facility on the River Mersey. It closed in the 1980s after which the workshops were demolished and the graving docks filled in. The area has been redeveloped with apartments, offices and small business units.

Morpeth Dock

Morpeth Dock was connected to the River Mersey via locks and also to the Great Float via Egerton Dock. The dock was completed in 1847 but has been disused for some years. Neither former access is available now so the dock is landlocked. Part of the site was filled in and is the site of a water treatment plant.

New Tranmere Docks

The postcard is captioned 'New Tranmere Docks' but I have consulted various friends and we are not sure exactly where this is. The best guess is that it is what is now the Cammell Laird Fitting Out Basin. That company took over the Tranmere Bay Development Company.

Tranmere New Docks Birkenhead — New docks at Tranmere Bay. Two warships alongside - one is probably a River Class destroyer. They were in service from 1903/4 to 1920.

Vittoria Dock

Vittoria Dock - sometimes incorrectly referred to as Victoria Dock - was completed in 1909. Between the 1920s and 1970s the dock was used by Clan Line Steamers Ltd. and Blue Funnel Line Ltd. It fell into disuse with the advent of container ships and the area is due to be redeveloped.