Grimsby Docks are the docks of the town of Grimsby

Grimsby

Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...

 in North East Lincolnshire

North East Lincolnshire

North East Lincolnshire is a unitary authority in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, bordering the unitary authority of North Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

.

The docks are served by the Grimsby Docks railway station

Grimsby Docks railway station

Grimsby Docks railway station serves the Freeman Street area of Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire, England. This is one of the oldest parts of the town, close to the Freeman Street Market and the town's docks both commercial and fish, the railway entrance to both being over the level crossing at...

.

History

Grimsby developed around a small river called the Haven, which joined the Humber

Humber

The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. It is formed at Trent Falls, Faxfleet, by the confluence of the tidal River Ouse and the tidal River Trent. From here to the North Sea, it forms part of the boundary between the East Riding of Yorkshire on the north bank...

 and provided a save haven for ships on the estuary. During the twelfth century, imports included coal from Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...

, wine from France and Spain, and timber from Norway. The main export was wool. There were problems with silting in the fifteenth century, although imports of coal continued to increase, and grain was added to the cargos exported.

In 1796, an Act of Parliament

Act of Parliament

An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...

 was obtained, which authorised the construction of new quays and dredging of the Haven to make it deeper. By the middle of the century, a more radical solution was needed, and the foundation stone for the Royal Dock was laid by Albert the Prince consort

Prince consort

A prince consort is the husband of a queen regnant who is not himself a king in his own right.Current examples include the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , and Prince Henrik of Denmark .In recognition of his status, a prince consort may be given a formal...

 in 1849. The dock covers 25 acres (10.1 ha) and was formally opened by Queen Victoria

Victoria of the United Kingdom

Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....

 in 1854. The dock gates and cranes were operated by hydraulic power, and the 300 feet (91.4 m) Grimsby Dock Tower

Grimsby Dock Tower

Grimsby Dock Tower is a hydraulic accumulator tower and a famous maritime landmark in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, England. It was completed on 27 March 1852 with the purpose of containing a 30,000 UK gallon hydraulic wrought iron reservoir at a height of , to provide hydraulic power to...

 was built to provide a head of water with sufficient pressure by William Armstrong. Two locks connected the dock to the Humber. Opening of the No. 1 Fish Dock followed in 1856. Further construction took place in the 1870s, with No. 2 Fish Dock opening in 1877 and the Union Dock and Alexandra Dock in 1879. The fishing fleet expanded, and No. 3 Fish Dock was built in 1934.