Copper-plate engraving entitled 'West India Docks', from the artist Samuel Owen's 'The Thames' series, 1809-11. These docks were built in 1799-1802.
A view across the import dock with warehouses in the distance. Extensive warehousing was needed to accommodate thousands of tons of cargo, which included sugar, rum molasses, coffee, spices and hardwood. In the foreground is a crane which would have been used to unload goods onto the quayside prior to their transportation to the extensive storage facilities.