The Tour
The West India Docks and East India Docks sound like a matching pair, but they couldn’t be more different. This is a story of maritime trade, going to Blackwall and Beyond as England extended its trading reach throughout the world.
A Jamaican Plantation 1820
Seal of the Virginia Company of London
When the West India Docks opened in 1802, London entered a new phase of maritime trade.
They were the largest public development the world had seen.
And into the docks flowed sugar, rum and molasses – the products of slave labour.
When the East India Docks opened in 1806, Blackwall was a maritime hamlet which had served shipping for centuries. Ships set out to find the Northwest Passage – and to found England’s first overseas colony: Jamestown, Virginia.
And from 1617 it was a home for the Honourable East India Company.
This tour sees the East India Company as importer of luxuries and provider of pastoral care to its employees.
It considers the dominance over its neighbours conferred on Poplar by its maritime status.
Most of all it celebrates the new dimension of maritime trade brought about by the establishment of London’s Docklands.
For a taster follow the link HERE for an item about the East India Company in Poplar.
Details – To Blackwall and Beyond
Please go to the SCHEDULE to see whether this tour is currently on offer, and for booking details.
MEET: In front of the Ledger Building, JD Wetherspoon Public House, 4 Hertsmere Road E14 4AL (nearest station West India Quay and Canary Wharf DLR Stations).
Duration: Two hours (approximately).
If you have any questions about this walk, please contact me
Pictures sourced from Wikimedia Commons
