Unloading at Shadwell New Basin

The New Basin and Entrance were opened in 1858. The Basin handled general cargo mainly from the continent. However before the Second World War, from the eastern quay, there were regular sailings to Manchester.

A cargo handled in the early years of the twentieth century was ice from Scandinavia, seen here covered in sacking being discharge from a sailing vessel. The windmill pumped melted iced water overboard from the hold to stop the vessel from flooding.

In the background is the spire of St Paul s Church, Shadwell. It was this quay in front of the Church that Charles Dickens describes in "The Uncommercial Traveller". He also witnessed the boarding of a ship by a group of Mormons who were bound for America.

The London Docks closed in 1969. In the 1980s the Basin was redeveloped with housing being built on the quay area and the basin itself used for sailing, canoeing and fishing.