The Port of Goole

Goole - 'The UK's Premier Inland Port'. Ever since the construction of Goole Docks started in 1824 the Port has had to promote itself, and over its history Goole's record for increasing trade has led to it been considered one of Britain's leading Ports. Part of the secret of this success is publicising the services of the Port in film and print. Over the past 100 years and more the owners of the Port have printed trade leaflets, which provide an insight into services on offer in the Port and what made Goole a success. Outlined below is a copy of a trade leaflet issued by the then operators of Goole Docks the British Transport Docks Board, which promotes the services of the Port.

Front Page

Back Page

The Official Sales Pitch - "Where is Goole? - What are the transport links? - What vessels can visit the Port? - What Equipment and Services are on offer? - Dock Improvements! - A Contintental Trading Port!"

Map of the the Goole Dock Estate. The leaflet probably dates from the early to mid 1970s as the late 1960s works to Ouse Dock and Bond Island have been completed. The blue area marked the extent of the Dock areas in the 1970s. It is interesting to note that previously residential areas such as Albert Street, South Street and areas of Bridge Street are as Dock areas. The map also helpfully labels the 1970s Shed and Berth numbering systems which is an excellent resource for locating pictures and documentation, especially considering so little of the historic dock buildings survive today. Just above Albert Street is one of the pre-'Goole' farms which was demolished to make way for the by-pass road.

Illustrating A Working Dock - Modern Equipment and a Busy Trade

Facts and Figures - 8 Docks, 3 Locks, 3 Dry Docks, 4,235m Commerical Quays, transhit sheds, warehouses, open storage, 27 cranes, mobile bulk conveyor loader, 2 compartment boat hoists and 1 Railway Wagon Coal Hoist (several hundred dockers and a score or more pubs!).





Just some of the goods handled on Goole Docks (and it doesn't even mention that a Goole Docker never went without Carlsberg lager or Danish bacon!)



Goole's trade - Coal, Bulk Cargo and Heavy Lifts. The pictures show the handling of Swedish Steel in and Renault Cars in West Dock.

The leaflet illusrates just a small insight into the Port of Goole, who's Dockers had a reputation for a fast turn around and for not striking.

In the name of progress and development, changing industries and also neglect Goole Docks bears little resemblence to the 1970s Port of Goole, and over time the blog will explore these changes and examine what is left of Goole Docks.

If you want to view more Goole advertising material then visit the Yorkshire Film Archive website or visit the archives of the Goole and Yorkshire Waterways Museums.