Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Hamilton Dock: Refurbishment and Restoration
In 2009, work began to restore the dock, now a NIEA Scheduled Monument and the oldest visible legacy of ship building on Queen's Island. The dock was drained and a new watertight gate was built to replace the caisson at its entrance. The caisson, an important industrial artefact, was moved from its original position to prevent further corrosion from the sea.
The pump house's concrete cladding, which had been applied during the Second World War to fortify it against bombing raids, was removed to reveal original brick and stonework. The boiler and engine house section of the building was re-built.
The original cobbles and square setts have been lifted and relaid, while the stone flagging and stone-work below the former water line of the dock basin has been carefully cleaned and re-pointed.
The dock is now preserved as a symbol of Queen's Island's pivotal role in the story of Belfast.
[Photo captions, from top to bottom, read]
Top Hamilton Dock before restoration
Above A crane was used to put the new caisson in place in 2009
Above The pump house's original stonework was revealed as a layer of concrete cladding was removed
Below Workmen pumping concrete to strengthen the floor of the dock in the 1940s
Left Cobbles were laid along the dockside during its construction in the 1860s
Below During the restoration, the cobbles were lifted so that new service ducts could be laid and the surface could be levelled. Then they were carefully replaced in their original positions.
Above The Harbour Commissioners meticulously planned the laying of a new strip of concrete on the dock floor in the late 1940s. Each section was pumped according to this prescribed timetable.
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Hamilton Graving Dock had become derelict before it was given a new lease of life. It has now been carefully restored to its original splendour.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 54° 36.394′ N, 5° 54.677′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Marker is on Queens Road, on the left when traveling north. Part of the Titanic Belfast complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Hamilton Dock, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT3 9DT, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Dockside: A Hive of Activity (here, next to this marker); Bigger Ships and Bigger Docks (here, next to this marker); On Board SS Nomadic (here, next to this marker); Keel Blocks (here, next to this marker); Features of the Dock (a few steps from this marker); 1908 Harland and Wolff Shipyard (a few steps from this marker); Operating the [Hamilton] Dock (a few steps from this marker); First Port: Views of Belfast (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.
Also see . . .
1. The Hamilton Graving Dock. (Submitted on June 17, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Shipbuilding in Belfast. (Submitted on June 17, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.