3-052-785 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Royal Victoria and Albert Docks, North Woolwich, [south-east London], 1880. '1. Entrance-Lock Gates; 2. Manor Way Passage, showing Swing Bridge; 3. General View of New Royal Albert Dock...These docks, which extend across Plaistow Level, three miles below the entrance to the East India Docks at Blackwall, having their eastern entrance nearly opposite the Artillery Practice Butts, which are adjacent to Woolwich Arsenal, have been constructed by the London and St. Katharine's Docks Company...The docks are lighted at night by Siemens's electric light. The contract for this extensive work has been carried out by the well-known firm of Lucas and Aird, under the able superintendence of Mr. A. C. Andros, the company's engineer, whilst the general management has been undertaken by Mr. J. Colson. Under one part of the docks, or rather under a channel connecting the new dock with the old, the North Woolwich branch of the Great Eastern Railway passes by a tunnel of 1800 feet long; while, at another point, the East Ham-road (the Manor-lane or "Manor-way"), and a double line of railway pass over the new works by one of the largest swing-bridges in the kingdom. It is 90 feet wide, and weighs over 860 tons'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.