Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Operating the [Hamilton] Dock

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 14, 2019

1. Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker

Inscription.

'Our harbour now stands among the finest in the United Kingdom.'
Belfast News Letter, 2 October 1867

Hamilton Dock was filled at high tide and emptied at low tide.
[Photo caption reads]
Above This cross-section plan shows the dock basin, high and low water marks, valves and pump well at Hamilton Dock.
[Orange inset reads] This is the location of the Pump House

Step by Step:
How did Hamilton Dock work?
Getting a ship into the dry dock for repairs or fit out was a difficult operation and required a considerable amount of coordination.

1 Keel blocks are arranged in a bed according to a docking plan for each ship
2 The dock is filled with water and the caisson is pumped empty and floated out
3 The ship is guided into the dock and moored over the keel blocks
4 The caisson is floated back into position, filled with water and sunk into its slot to plug the mouth of the dock
5 A diver inspects the position of the keel blocks before the ship comes to rest on them
6 The ship is held steady by adjusting the mooring ropes and the ship gently lowers into position as the dock is pumped dry

[Ship photo caption reads]
Right Portavogie moored at Hamilton Dock

[Yellow inset caption reads]
The caisson in place at Alexandra Dock

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 2, 1867.

Location. 54° 36.387′ N, 5° 54.686′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Ireland’s Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon,

and in Belfast.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

on the Island of Ireland,

on the Celtic Fringe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Features of the Dock (here, next to this marker); Nomadic in Hamilton Dock (here, next to this marker); Keel Blocks (a few steps from this marker); Hamilton Dock Stone Construction (a few steps from this marker); Bigger Ships and Bigger Docks

Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker - Step by Step image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 14, 2019

2. Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker - Step by Step

(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Hamilton Dock Stone Construction (a few steps from this marker); The Dockside: A Hive of Activity (a few steps from this marker); Building the Dock 1864-1867 / Hamilton Dock (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belfast.

Also see . . . The Hamilton Graving Dock. Titanic Belfast website entry (Submitted on June 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker - Portavogie moored at Hamilton Dock image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, Undated

3. Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker - Portavogie moored at Hamilton Dock

Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker - Caisson Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown, Undated

4. Operating the [Hamilton] Dock Marker - Caisson Photo

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 13, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.