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The Albert
Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool,
England. Designed by
Jesse Hartley and Philip Hardwick, it was opened in 1846, and was the
first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and stone,
with no structural wood. As a result, it was the first non-combustible
warehouse system in the world.
At the time of its construction the Albert Dock was
considered a revolutionary docking system because ships were loaded and
unloaded directly from the warehouses. Two years after it opened it was
modified to feature the world's first hydraulic cranes. Due to its open
yet secure design, the Albert Dock became a popular store for valuable
cargoes such as brandy, cotton, tea, silk, tobacco,
ivory and
sugar.
However, despite the Albert Dock's advanced design, the rapid development
of shipping technology meant that within 50 years, larger, more open docks
were required, although it remained a valuable store for cargo.
Today the Albert Dock is a major tourist attraction in
the city and the most visited multi-use attraction in the
United Kingdom, outside of London. It is a vital component of
Liverpool's UNESCO designated World Heritage Maritime Mercantile City and
the docking complex and warehouses also comprise the largest single
collection of Grade I listed buildings anywhere in the UK. |
