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Manouevring a concrete caisson JLP01_01_064_42
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Manouevring a concrete caisson JLP01_01_064_42
TILBURY DOCKS, CHADWELL ST MARY, THURROCK, ESSEX. A view of the cooling water intake caisson for Coryton Oil Refinery leaving the lock at Tilbury Docks, with people on the side of the lock using ropes to guide the structure towards the gate.
During the Second World War, John Laing & Son Ltd built some of the floating caissons for the Mulberry harbour which were used in the D-day landings. This 4, 200 ton concrete water intake caisson was built along the lines of the Mulberry harbour and was towed 8 miles down the Thames from Tilbury Dock to be installed as part of Coryton Oil Refinery in March 1952. It was built between 1951 and 1952
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 24180668
© Historic England Archive. John Laing Photographic Collection
1950s Concrete Lock Lock Gate People River Transport Water Transport Work Caisson
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a historic moment at Tilbury Docks in Chadwell St Mary, Thurrock, Essex. The image showcases the impressive sight of a concrete caisson being maneuvered through the lock gate with the help of ropes and dedicated individuals. Dating back to March 1952, this 4,200-ton water intake caisson was constructed by John Laing & Son Ltd along the lines of the Mulberry harbour used during the Second World War's D-day landings. This remarkable structure was towed for 8 miles down the Thames from Tilbury Dock to be installed as part of Coryton Oil Refinery. The photograph not only highlights the sheer scale and complexity of this engineering feat but also pays tribute to those who worked tirelessly to make it possible. As onlookers gather on one side of the lock gate, they skillfully guide and navigate this colossal caisson towards its destination. Transporting such an enormous concrete structure through waterways required meticulous planning and execution. It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and determination in overcoming challenges posed by large-scale infrastructure projects. This snapshot from the 1950s offers us a glimpse into an era where river transport played a vital role in shaping industrial landscapes. The image beautifully encapsulates both progress and history while showcasing how collaboration between people can achieve extraordinary feats in construction and navigation alike.
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