3-070-536 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Princess of Wales naming the new Alexandra Dock, Liverpool, 1881. 'The scene on the river was very picturesque. The numerous vessels, including her Majesty's ships Defence and Agincourt, were decorated with gay-coloured flags. The Royal party were received at the landing-stage by Mr. T. D. Hornby, chairman of the Dock Board...the Defence manned yards, and fired a Royal salute, the crowds, which lined the pier-heads and dock-walls for miles, cheering vociferously... the Princess, to whom was handed a richly-jewelled penknife, severed a silken cord, and a bottle of champagne being broken over the bows of the Claughton the ceremony was concluded, a salvo from the war-ships announcing the fact. The penknife was then screwed into the handle of a parasol, of which it formed part, and was presented to her Royal Highness. Several large steamers, pilot-boats, and a sailing-ship were moored round the dock, their decks being crowded with spectators. The grand stand, and every point from which a view of the ceremony could be obtained, were similarly occupied. Our Illustration shows the Princess using the penknife to cut the cord, by which act she broke the bottle of wine, and therewith "christened" the Dock in her own name, "Alexandra".' From "Illustrated London News", 1881.