Sailortown

1840-1850

Warehouse of the World

1880-1939

First Port of Empire

1840-1880

Discover when London was the hub of the world’s largest empire

As British power and trade spread across the globe, so the port of London grew and prospered. Wooden sailing ships gave way to iron steamers, and the docks became the centre of world trade.

Not to be missed on your visit

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Loading carts in the Docklands First Port of Empire gallery.

Walk into the warehouse

Trolleys, barrows and baskets set out on the wooden floor of the warehouse. The painting by Charles Deane shows the river at Westminster with the new Waterloo bridge, opened in 1817.

The sign of the St. Paul's Seamans' Church.

St Paul’s Dock street sign

The church of Saint Paul began as a 'floating church' on board a ship, the 'Brazen' moored close to the Thames Tunnel. It was replaced by a church built in Dock Street in 1846-47.

Model of the SS Great Eastern

Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the ship was built at Millwall on the Isle of Dogs. At the time of her launch in 1858, she was the largest ship ever built in the world.

The fish stall c.1830 by William Kidd

Billingsgate was London’s main fish market. Here a women fishmonger is about to prepare a large cod. Next to the smoked fish on the left, there are Billingsgate bills.

Painting of the Tooley Street fire, 1861

The fire started in a warehouse at Cotton’s Wharf south of the river, and spread rapidly. Tragically, James Braidwood, the chief fireman, died when a wall fell on him while he was fighting the fire.

Street sign reading Mandarin Street, on display in the Museum of London Docklands.

Mandarin Street sign

During the 19th century, Chinese sailors settled in east London. They eventually formed a thriving community, echoed in road names such as Mandarin Street and Canton Street.

Sketch of the docks at Limehouse, London, mid-19th century.

Limehouse, 1859, by James Abbott MCNeill Whistler

This etching shows the riverfront around the east London district of Limehouse, including the harbourmaster's office on the right.

Model of the clipper ship Torrens, c.1875

This is a sailor-made model of the sailing ship Torrens, built in 1875 for the wool trade between England and Australia. It was the ship on which the writer Joseph Conrad sailed from 1891-92.

Recreation of a blacksmith's forge used to make parts for ships and warehouses in the Port of London.

Reconstructed blacksmith's forge

Making everything from ship's nails to warehouse tools, blacksmiths kept the London docks working.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the warehouse

Winches like this one were used in the days when the museum building was still a working warehouse, filled with valuable cargo from around the world.

Gallery access

The gallery is open during the museum's normal hours:

10am – 5.30pm

The gallery is on the second floor and can be accessed by lift.

Entry free, no ticket required.