Dock in pictures 1

The opening of Southampton's Inner and Outer Docks brought much trade to the town. Towards the end of the 19th century, the size of ocean-going steamers continued to increase and a deeper dock was required in the port. The rapid expansion of the previous forty years had dented the Dock Company's finances, so construction was put off for a number of years. A depression in the 1880s reduced the company's income considerably.