Trading Places - a history of Liverpool Docks

The River Mersey

Why were Liverpool docks needed? Why were they so successful when they were built? See below for the explanation

Why were the docks needed?

Mainly because the River Mersey is a tidal river. Liverpool is very close to the point where the river reaches the Irish Sea. There is a big difference between the height of the river at low tide and at high tide - as much as 11 metres (33 feet) [image, new window].

This was not a problem when the ships were small. They could just rest on the mud when the tide went out and be unloaded before the tide came in again. But as ships got bigger, resting on the mud damaged their hulls. So they anchored in the river and were unloaded by smaller craft: an expensive and time wasting method that sometimes damaged or lost cargo.

Add to that strong winds, swift currents and over 20,000 acres of shifting sandbanks and you can see that the Mersey was not the ideal place for large ships to rest. Docks that could keep the vessels permanently afloat and safe from the wind and current were required.

Why were Liverpool docks successful?

There were a number of reasons.

• Firstly the high tide allowed ships of a deep draught to reach the port and enter the docks. Other ports with a lower tide could not deal with such large ships.
• Secondly, Liverpool was very convenient for the American trade being on the west coast of England. Ships out of Liverpool could even sail north round the top of Ireland to avoid French privateers further south.
• Thirdly, the docks were in the town centre, so merchants were very close to the Customs house, offices and warehouses etc. and could get their goods quickly to market.
• Fourthly, Liverpool is very close to local markets in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
• Finally, the Trustees of the Liverpool Docks were often also the people who ran the town so it was in everyone's best interest to make sure that the two worked closely and well.

Back to the top | Back to main page