Description and History of Site:-
Grimsby Dock was the first major dock to use hydraulic power to operate lock gates, cranes etc. The power was supplied from a 33,000 gallon (150,000l) elevated storage tank in the 303ft (92.35m) high Hydraulic Tower of 1851 into which water was pumped by a steam engine. Designed by J W Wild the Hydraulic Tower is modelled on the campanile of the Palazzo Public in Siena.

In 1892 the low pressure hydraulic system was superseded by a high pressure accumulator based system which is housed in the 78ft (23.77m) tower on the west side of the entrance locks at TA 27791 11371 The 1892 system was replaced in 1980 by the installation of an electrically driven oil-hydraulic system.

The low-pressure system was retained to supply water to provide wash down water for the fish pontoon. The Hydraulic Tower also supports communications aerials.

Further Reading and References:-
Wright N, Lincolnshire's Industrial Heritage - A Guide, Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, 2004,NE8-p42
Labrum E A, Civil Engineering Heritage - Eastern and Central England, Thomas Telford, 1994, HEW 776, p52
Pevsner N Harris J Antram N, The Buildings of England - Lincolnshire, 1989, p343

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Key Words :- hydraulic tower locks dock

Viewing the Site :- Can be seen from many vantage points. Access to the docks is restricted

Address :- Wharncliffe Road North, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, DN31 3PA
Grid Ref :- TA 27845 11348
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.583143 , Long -0.070307
Local Authority :- North East Lincolnshire Council
Pre 1974 County :- Lincolnshire - Lindsey
Site Status :- Listed - Grade I
Historic England List No - 1379870, 1543050,
Site Condition :- Site in alternative industrial use
Site Dates :- 1851 - current
Record Date :- 24 September 2016

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © John Suter