Commercial London in 1900: Dockers

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Of the human element in the docklands, the "docker," as he was called, much has been written and said - there was such a pathetic side to his vocation, apart from the distress that fell upon him when severe weather stopped him earning his daily bread.

A perpetual demand for unskilled labour existed in the East End, concentrating at the docks, and often three hundred men were employed per day in one dock alone.

No certificate of character was needed, the sole qualification being that of muscular strength.

There were professional dockers and casual dockers.

In the ranks of the latter were individuals of all classes: lawyers, parsons, doctors, master-mariners, civil engineers, accountants, and merchants - social derelicts, absolute failures in life's struggle, and others who had nearly succeeded.

Apart from circumstances over which they may be said to have had no control, Fate, Destiny, Ill-Luck - call it what you will - their woful position could in most cases be attributed to want of persistency in fighting against misfortune, to irresolution, to drink, and - more frequently than is generally supposed - to unhappy marriages.

Next: Commercial London in 1900: London Shipping