12. Blackwall Basin Information & History
The Blackwall Basin was opened in 1802. The entrance lock into Blackwall Basin formed the most critical point of the original dock system, constructed to provide greater control over water levels. Its hasty construction however, proved troublesome. The collapse of the outer wing wall in 1851 highlighted the dependency of dock operations on this principal entrance and provided a catalyst for the enlargement of the South Dock east entrance in 1870. The Blackwall entrance subsequently fell into disrepair, its operation confined to level tide. By the 1890s, the South Dock entrance was obsolete and the reconstruction of the Blackwall entrance was commissioned between 1892-1894. The entrance was reopened in 1894. The Blackwall entrance closed between 1940-50 and reopened to service barge traffic only. Last used in 1968, the LDDC removed the middle gate and hydraulically-operated bridge in 1987. More at wikipedia | Also read portcities.org.uk >
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