Handling Cargo
Dockers` origins
 A dock rat-catcher at work |
Dock work tended to attract unskilled people who were prepared
to work hard in return for a higher than average wage. Typically,
they came to the port from areas of high unemployment. For
instance, the growing port of Liverpool attracted many fleeing the
poverty and potato famines of 19th century Ireland. In the Second World War (1939-45), dock work was a reserved
occupation. Dockers did not have to be called up to fight in the
armed forces. However, they had to be ready to move. Docks in
London handled far fewer ships, because of the dangers of enemy
action. So ships were diverted to safer ports and harbours on the
west coast, especially those on the River Clyde in Scotland.
Naturally, the dockers had to move there to work on the
ships. Southampton saw more work towards the end of the war, as it was
well placed to handle traffic for the invasion of France in June
1944. To help out in the docks, many volunteers came over from
neutral Ireland. Dockers were also sent to work on the artificial harbours that
were constructed in the Southampton area to handle ships supplying
the invasion forces. Code-named Mulberry Harbour and Gooseberry
Harbour, these were intended to allow war materials to be landed
before the invasion forces had captured a major port. They
consisted of rows of damaged or worn-out ships sunk to form a
breakwater. They also had floating or fixed structures onto which
the cargo was landed. These harbours were vulnerable to enemy
attack and to the unseasonal storms which blew up soon after D-Day
in June 1944.
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