The Albert Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool, England. Designed by Jesse Hartley and Philip Hardwick, it was opened in 1846, and was
the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and
stone, with no structural wood. As a result, it was the first non-combustible
warehouse system in the world.
At the time of its construction the Albert Dock was considered a revolutionary docking system because ships were loaded and unloaded directly from/to the warehouses. Two years after it opened it was modified to feature the world's first hydraulic cranes. Due to its open yet secure design, the Albert Dock became a popular store for valuable cargoes such as brandy, cotton, tea, silk, tobacco, ivory and sugar. However, despite the Albert Dock's advanced design, the rapid development of shipping technology meant that within 50 years, larger, more open docks were required, although it remained a valuable store for cargo.
During the Second World War, the Albert Dock was requisitioned by the Admiralty serving as a base for boats of the British Atlantic Fleet. The complex was damaged during air raids on Liverpool, notably during the May Blitz of 1941. In the aftermath of the war, the financial problems of the owners and the general decline of docking in the city meant that the future of the Albert Dock was uncertain. Numerous plans were developed for the re-use of the buildings but none came to fruition and in 1972 the dock was finally closed. Having lain derelict for nearly ten years, the redevelopment of the dock began in 1981, when the Merseyside Development Corporation was set up, with the Albert Dock being officially re-opened in 1988.
Today the Albert Dock is a major tourist attraction in the city and the most visited multi-use attraction in the United Kingdom, outside of London It is a vital component of Liverpool's UNESCO designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City and the docking complex and warehouses also comprise the largest single collection of Grade I listed buildings anywhere in the UK.
Pierhead
The Pier Head is the World Heritage site in Liverpool, that features three striking buildings known as the Three Graces:
The Royal Liver Building;
The Cunard Building; and
The Port of Liverpool Building.
The buildings form a row along the north bank of the River Mersey, flanked by several miles of docks.
There are several memorials at the Pier Head including those to Captain J. F. Walker and to the engineers who heroically remained at their posts during the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
At the time of its construction the Albert Dock was considered a revolutionary docking system because ships were loaded and unloaded directly from/to the warehouses. Two years after it opened it was modified to feature the world's first hydraulic cranes. Due to its open yet secure design, the Albert Dock became a popular store for valuable cargoes such as brandy, cotton, tea, silk, tobacco, ivory and sugar. However, despite the Albert Dock's advanced design, the rapid development of shipping technology meant that within 50 years, larger, more open docks were required, although it remained a valuable store for cargo.
During the Second World War, the Albert Dock was requisitioned by the Admiralty serving as a base for boats of the British Atlantic Fleet. The complex was damaged during air raids on Liverpool, notably during the May Blitz of 1941. In the aftermath of the war, the financial problems of the owners and the general decline of docking in the city meant that the future of the Albert Dock was uncertain. Numerous plans were developed for the re-use of the buildings but none came to fruition and in 1972 the dock was finally closed. Having lain derelict for nearly ten years, the redevelopment of the dock began in 1981, when the Merseyside Development Corporation was set up, with the Albert Dock being officially re-opened in 1988.
Today the Albert Dock is a major tourist attraction in the city and the most visited multi-use attraction in the United Kingdom, outside of London It is a vital component of Liverpool's UNESCO designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City and the docking complex and warehouses also comprise the largest single collection of Grade I listed buildings anywhere in the UK.
Pierhead
The Pier Head is the World Heritage site in Liverpool, that features three striking buildings known as the Three Graces:
The Royal Liver Building;
The Cunard Building; and
The Port of Liverpool Building.
The buildings form a row along the north bank of the River Mersey, flanked by several miles of docks.
There are several memorials at the Pier Head including those to Captain J. F. Walker and to the engineers who heroically remained at their posts during the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
Unsure how to contact you but just curious on some of the places you have been on the secret to getting in them - mainly for the Royal Mail and West Tower in Liverpool - I have been in the royal mail near the end of last year. but it has since been secured on the entry we had amazing place but just seeing if you or know anyone who has more recently been in and how?
ReplyDeleteAlso the big main one for me been trying the west tower for a long time and just dont understand how... is it just luck??? haha - tried the old going in the lift with actual residents and getting of a floor and to the top got to the roof door but there was a big yellow camera haha big girl me hahah