Discover the origin of Liverpool’s fortune, hidden beneath Liverpool ONE.
Yet another underground tour from MCS!
In collaboration with National Museums Liverpool, MCS is delighted to offer you the opportunity to take a look at the remains of Liverpool’s first dock dating from 1715.
Revealed during excavations on the site in 2001, the story of the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock is explored on this guided tour. You will discover how a brave idea and an innovative feat of engineering shaped Liverpool’s destiny forever.
When built, the Old Dock was a huge risk but it paid off handsomely, paving the way to many decades of dock expansion on both sides of the river. It was one of Liverpool’s greatest contributions to progress in world trade and commerce.
The impact of this radical structure was immense and London, Bristol and Chester lost significant amounts of trade throughout the 18th century as a result.
The Old Dock was constructed in 1715 at the mouth of the Pool which had been at the heart of the town’s successes but, with increasing numbers of ships using the port, it was struggling to cope.
In 1708 the merchants who controlled Liverpool Corporation employed Thomas Steers, one of Britain’s leading canal engineers, to find a solution.
He converted the mouth of the Pool into a dock with quaysides and a river gate. It was now possible for ships to load and unload whatever the state of the tide – a revolutionary facility.
The dock was technically very difficult to build and cost £12,000, double its original estimate. The Corporation was nearly bankrupted but its success encouraged further rapid increases in overseas trade through Liverpool.
As an added value to MCS members we have arranged for an extended time in the Old Dock so you can fully take in the exhibits.
Additionally, after we’ve visited the Old Dock, MCS Council Member, Sarah-Jane Farr, who oversaw the archaeological investigations of the Old Dock and Liverpool One scheme, 1999-2008, will provide some additional insights into the excavations and interpretation at this heart of Liverpool’s Historic Waterfront.
Tour details
The tour meeting point is in the Maritime Museum foyer on the ground floor.
On the tour, visitors are taken back in time as they see a large portion of the Old Dock rising more than 20 feet from the bed of the Pool – the creek that gave Liverpool its name. A modern bridge and walkways give grandstand views.
Our tour
Event Start Time: 14:15
Meet in the foyer of the Maritime Museum when we will meet our guide from the Maritime Museum.
Old Dock Tour: 14:30 – 15:45
Additional Archaeological Insights 15:45
Event Finish Time: 16.00
Why not join us for a snack at the Maritime Museum cafe at 1:30 where your MCS Vice Chair, Andrew Jackson, will be there to welcome you? Refreshments at your own cost.
Better still, make a day of it and spend the morning visiting the Maritime Museum galleries before they close for a while whilst important transformations are carried out.
Accessibility Information:
Please enquire but note that visitors in wheelchairs must be able to self transfer to access part of the Old Dock.
How to get there
Meet in the foyer of Merseyside Maritime Museum
Your location to Royal Albert Dock Liverpool – Google Maps
Ticket Cost: £12
(including Tour ticket for The Old Dock) plus Eventbrite booking fee
Cancellations:
As we have had to prepay for the tour tickets, tickets are not refundable on this occasion.