05/07/2026
A rare colour photo of work underway on the inner dock mouth widening and gate replacement in 1971. The work was done partly because new lock gates were needed but also by widening, by 8ft, it allowed larger vessels to enter, commercially extending the use of the port for a further three decades. The gates were also electrified at the time, consigning to history "Gate-Ho !", the call for estate workers to drop tools and help wind the capstans that manually opened the dock gate. (Credits & Thanks: History Group. CHG/SM1047/P1002). ,