Dock - in pictures 3

The Outer Dock, as it was known, opened on 1 July 1843. Many ships were now using the dock, so three dry-docks were built nearby between 1846 and 1854. They could hold the largest steamers of the day. The first vessel to use the dry dock was the Royal Mail Steam Packet's Forth on 27 July 1846. Shipping from the dock increased quickly because of the nearby railway line so a new Inner Dock was built in 1851.