Grimsby’s iconic Grade I listed Dock Tower
Listed Building Consent has been sought for conservation works on Grimsby’s iconic landmark, the Dock Tower.
The Grade I listed structure owned by Associated British Ports (ABP) is the only one of its kind in the country and the work will include key structural repairs on the parapets, building of a new staircase, and drainage.
If approved by North East Lincolnshire Council, work could start on the historical structure later this year in the hope it can reopen to the public.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “It was during some routine maintenance work that it was picked up some of the further works that needed to be done to ensure the tower remains safe and accessible for the future.
“The Dock Tower is the jewel in the Port of Grimsby. It has been a beacon to so many over the years and for Grimbarians it is a symbol of home. As its custodians we have over the years spent time and money maintaining it, as it has such architectural historic value, and will be here for many more years to come once these essential works are carried out.”
Standing 309 feet (94.2m) tall to the top of the lantern, the tower was completed on 27 March 1852 to power the hydraulic machinery of Grimsby docks. Its height was to achieve the sufficient pressure needed to operate the machines.
It was built by James Meadows Rendel, the civil engineer who constructed the docks at Grimsby between 1844 and 1853 and opened by Queen Victoria when she visited the port in October 1854. Designed by James William Wild, an architect born in Lincoln, he also contributed to the Great Exhibition of 1851 and spent several years in Egypt, and you can see the middle eastern influence on the lantern at the pinnacle.
Jenny Bulmer, Conservation Engineer of Alan Wood & Partners said: “Opportunities to work on such a unique and historically significant building as this come about rarely. Being able to discover some of the building archaeology and the history of its use throughout the process is a real privilege. Getting to see the tower brought back to life with a renewed purpose is something we can all look forward to.”
The Dock Tower is a massive feat of Victorian engineering. She is one of a kind and means so much to Grimbarians and it’s hoped to open the tower annually for tours to the top for what is surely the best view in Grimsby.
The ground floor of the tower was lined with pink, white and blue drapery when Queen Victoria visited the structure. Her Majesty gave permission for Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal to accompany engineer James Rendell in the hydraulic lift to the gallery running around the tower above the water tank. The lift is no longer in existence with access to the top currently via a spiral staircase.
The current plans submitted include:
- Insertion of a new staircase
- Installation of internal lighting
- Brickwork repairs
- Metalwork repairs
- Paintwork
- Roofing
- Floor repairs
- Drainage
- Interpretation panels
A series of events will be held during the work schedule to celebrate the tower and all that she symbolises, including a talk about the Tower at this year’s Heritage Open Day on the port on Saturday 14th September. You can view a video of the Dock Tower here.
