Port Origins
Port origins
Why a port beginsPorts begin life for a variety of reasons, but trade always
comes first. Whether it is Roman soldiers posted to another corner
of the empire, Burgundy wine flowing in from France, Welsh coal
going to fuel South America`s railways, or Brent crude oil for
refining, people or goods need to be moved in our out of the
country. Only then is a port born. Next to trade, a port needs enough water. Ships should be able
to come and go for as much of the twenty-four hours as possible.
Southampton has a big advantage in having four high tides each day
rather than the usual two. A port also needs sheltered water for
loading and unloading. Ports up rivers can usually offer this.
Harbours right on the coast need breakwaters [definition] to give
protection from waves. 
 Impression of Southampton (1250AD) |
Communications are also important. Unless passengers or goods
begin or end their journey right in the port, they need to move
inland. This is why many ports are built on or near rivers. Before
the railways, water offered the easiest way to move goods. As
Britain industrialised, first canals, then railways and finally
better roads were built. Many of these connected ports with the
industries or communities they served. Ports often encouraged these
developments, as their trade benefited from better
communications. Exactly where a port was situated might well depend on river
crossings. For instance, London was the furthest point east on the
River Thames where existing technology allowed a bridge to be
built. Expanding and growing with its regionPorts themselves stimulate the growth of local industries and
communities. Industries that need to import raw materials or export
their products will often set up near a port to reduce their
transport costs. Flour millers would often build their mills near
ports importing grain. Many steel works were built near to
facilities for bringing in iron ore. A more recent example is the
oil industry. All major refineries have
port facilities to import crude and ship out refined products.
These industries attract people who want jobs, and the local
community grows. With people and trade moving, communications
improve. With more industry, more people and better transport, the
port itself develops.
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