3-053-557 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Screw colliers unloading in the Thames, 1873. 'A great improvement in the system of unloading colliers in the port of London has been introduced by Messrs. Cory, the owners of the largest fleet of screw-steamers employed in this trade. Most of the old sailing colliers...are unloaded here by the old method of setting a gang of men, "coal- whippers," as they are called, to raise the coal from the bottom of the ship's hold by their combined strength and weight...Instead of this clumsy and barbarous fashion, Messrs. Cory have stationed in the river, nearly opposite Blackwall, a derrick fitted on each side with three steam-cranes, made to turn on a pivot, so that they can, after lifting the loaded box or basket from the ship, easily carry it round and pour its contents down the shoot, through which the coal descends into lighters or barges stationed beneath. Two ships can by these means be unloaded at the same time, one at each side of the derrick, and the process is so expeditious that a cargo of 800 or 900 tons may be disposed of in about six hours. Our Illustration shows it at work, with a few of the lighters in attendance, and the steam-tug which is to tow them up the river'. From "Illustrated London News", 1873.