Great Float
Encyclopedia
The Great Float, is a body of water on the Wirral Peninsula
, England
formed from the natural tidal inlet, the Wallasey Pool
. It is split into two large docks
, East Float and West Float, both part of the Birkenhead Docks complex. The docks run approximately 2 miles (3 km) inland from the River Mersey
, dividing the towns of Birkenhead
and Wallasey
. The Great Float consists of 110 acres of water and more than 4 miles (6 km) of quays.
Unlike in Liverpool
, where the docks were built along the coastline of the River Mersey
, Birkenhead Docks were designed as an inland system by enclosing the tidal inlet of Wallasey Pool
. The construction of a coffer dam enabled land reclamation
and excavations to take place. After the establishment of the Great Low Water Basin, Morpeth Dock
and Egerton Dock
, the Great Float was formed between 1851 and 1860 from most of what remained of Wallasey Pool. The plans for its construction were originally shown in 1844 in the Liverpool Standard newspaper. Designed by James Meadows Rendel, protege of Thomas Telford
, the scheme was managed by the Birkenhead Dock Company until a financial crisis in 1847. By 1858, the rights to dock ownership and revenues were transferred to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board
, based in Liverpool.
The entrance was originally through the Great Low Water Basin, which was enclosed in 1877 as Wallasey Dock
. After this date, access from the river was provided via Alfred Dock
and Morpeth Dock.
The Resurgam
, one of the first submarines, was tested in the Great Float in 1879.
In the early 20th century, Birkenhead Docks became an important flour milling centre, with numerous companies, including Joseph Rank Ltd and Spillers
, located on the Great Float's quaysides. In the 1990s, long after the industry had gone into decline, most of these buildings were demolished. Two large warehouses remain, which have now been converted into residential apartments.
The Great Float was the site of the Warship Preservation Trust
's exhibits from 2002 until its closure in February 2006.
In addition, three graving docks existed in the Great Float for ship repairs. Bidston No.3 Dock remains in use as part of the facilities of Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd
. The other graving docks were filled in during the 1980s.
A red girdered bascule bridge
at Tower Road connects the Seacombe
district of Wallasey with Birkenhead. Known as the Four Bridges, as originally four movable bridges existed along Tower Road: two between the Great Float and Alfred Dock, one between the Great Float and Wallasey Dock and one between the Great Float and Egerton Dock. When originally built, all four were hydraulic
swing bridge
types. In the 1930s most were replaced by bascule bridges.
Joining the southern end of the Poulton
district of Wallasey with the north end of Birkenhead, Duke Street bridge is also a bascule (see-saw) bridge but with painted green girders. Originally, it was also a swing bridge.
Furthest upstream is the Penny Bridge, which crosses the head of the pool to connect Poulton with Bidston
in Birkenhead. Replacing an earlier wooden bridge of 1843, the name derives from the 1896 one penny
toll to cross in one direction. The bridge was replaced again in 1926 and provided access to Bidston Dock
. The dock itself has been filled in and the bridge was replaced by a fixed roadway in 1996.
Jesse Hartley
, who was responsible for many of Liverpool's maritime structures - including the Albert Dock
, designed the Central Hydraulic Tower and Engine House. Providing power for the movement of lock
gates and bridges at Birkenhead Docks, it was completed in 1863. The design of the building was based on the Palazzo Vecchio
in the Piazza Della Signoria, Florence
, Italy
.
The building sustained considerable damage from bombing during the Second World War and was repaired in a functional, rather than architectural style. The large lantern
at the top of the tower was not replaced. The building is now disused and in a dilapidated condition.
In March 2008, a planning application was submitted for a £12 million restoration and redevelopment of the building by Peel Holdings to be converted into a bar and restaurant. A ninety-two bed hotel complex is planned to be constructed immediately adjacent to it.
project. This would allow for a £4.5bn of investment in the regeneration of the dockland area. This equates with an investment of over £14,000 for each of the 320,000 population of Wirral. At the East Float and Vittoria Dock, the development would include several 50-storey skyscrapers, 5000000 square feet (464,515.2 m²) of new office space and 11000000 square feet (1,021,933.4 m²) for new residential apartments. A retail and leisure quarter at the former Bidston Dock site would encompass another 571000 square feet (53,047.6 m²) of space. The whole project is estimated to create over 27,000 permanent new jobs, aside from the employment required for construction and other peripheral employment.
The Wirral Waters Baseline Study of July 2008 has been endorsed by Wirral Borough Council
. In February 2009 the first stage of the planning application for the first major mixed use development masterplan/quarter was submitted. The development would be expected to take up to 30 years.
Wirral Peninsula
Wirral or the Wirral is a peninsula in North West England. It is bounded by three bodies of water: to the west by the River Dee, forming a boundary with Wales, to the east by the River Mersey and to the north by the Irish Sea. Both terms "Wirral" and "the Wirral" are used locally , although the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
formed from the natural tidal inlet, the Wallasey Pool
Wallasey Pool
Wallasey Pool was a natural tidal inlet of water that separated the towns of Wallasey and Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Originally flowing directly into the River Mersey, it was converted into the sophisticated Birkenhead Dock system from the 1820s onwards by land reclamation, with...
. It is split into two large docks
Dock (maritime)
A dock is a human-made structure or group of structures involved in the handling of boats or ships, usually on or close to a shore.However, the exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language...
, East Float and West Float, both part of the Birkenhead Docks complex. The docks run approximately 2 miles (3 km) inland from the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
, dividing the towns of Birkenhead
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool...
and Wallasey
Wallasey
Wallasey is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, in Merseyside, England, on the mouth of the River Mersey, at the northeastern corner of the Wirral Peninsula...
. The Great Float consists of 110 acres of water and more than 4 miles (6 km) of quays.
History
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, where the docks were built along the coastline of the River Mersey
River Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
, Birkenhead Docks were designed as an inland system by enclosing the tidal inlet of Wallasey Pool
Wallasey Pool
Wallasey Pool was a natural tidal inlet of water that separated the towns of Wallasey and Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Originally flowing directly into the River Mersey, it was converted into the sophisticated Birkenhead Dock system from the 1820s onwards by land reclamation, with...
. The construction of a coffer dam enabled land reclamation
Land reclamation
Land reclamation, usually known as reclamation, is the process to create new land from sea or riverbeds. The land reclaimed is known as reclamation ground or landfill.- Habitation :...
and excavations to take place. After the establishment of the Great Low Water Basin, Morpeth Dock
Morpeth Dock
Morpeth Dock is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. Built between 1844 and 1847, it also consisted of a smaller branch dock to the east...
and Egerton Dock
Egerton Dock
Egerton Dock, is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. Named after Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton who laid the foundation stone in October 1844, the dock was completed in 1847...
, the Great Float was formed between 1851 and 1860 from most of what remained of Wallasey Pool. The plans for its construction were originally shown in 1844 in the Liverpool Standard newspaper. Designed by James Meadows Rendel, protege of Thomas Telford
Thomas Telford
Thomas Telford FRS, FRSE was a Scottish civil engineer, architect and stonemason, and a noted road, bridge and canal builder.-Early career:...
, the scheme was managed by the Birkenhead Dock Company until a financial crisis in 1847. By 1858, the rights to dock ownership and revenues were transferred to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board
Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company , formerly the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board , owns and administers the dock facilities of the Port of Liverpool, on the River Mersey, England...
, based in Liverpool.
The entrance was originally through the Great Low Water Basin, which was enclosed in 1877 as Wallasey Dock
Wallasey Dock
The Wallasey Dock, was a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It opened in 1877, replacing the Great Low Water Basin, which had opened directly onto the River Mersey to the east...
. After this date, access from the river was provided via Alfred Dock
Alfred Dock
Alfred Dock is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. The dock covers an area of and provides access to the Great Float from the River Mersey. Of the existing two river entrances, only the north locks remain operational. Tower Road, which links Birkenhead with the Seacombe area of...
and Morpeth Dock.
The Resurgam
Resurgam
Resurgam is the name given to two early Victorian submarines designed and built by Reverend George Garrett as a weapon to penetrate the chain netting placed around ship hulls to defend against attack by torpedo vessels....
, one of the first submarines, was tested in the Great Float in 1879.
In the early 20th century, Birkenhead Docks became an important flour milling centre, with numerous companies, including Joseph Rank Ltd and Spillers
Spillers
Spillers Ltd is a defunct British company that owned flour milling operations in the United Kingdom, operated bakeries and also sold pet food.Winalot is a popular brand of dog food sold by Spillers.The name was first used in 1927 for dog biscuits...
, located on the Great Float's quaysides. In the 1990s, long after the industry had gone into decline, most of these buildings were demolished. Two large warehouses remain, which have now been converted into residential apartments.
The Great Float was the site of the Warship Preservation Trust
Warship Preservation Trust
The Warship Preservation Trust was based in Birkenhead, Wirral, England and hosted Europe's largest collection of preserved warships.The collection was brought to Birkenhead in 2002 and was moored in the West Float of the Birkenhead docks complex....
's exhibits from 2002 until its closure in February 2006.
Docks
The following docks were originally accessible from the Great Float:| Dock | Opened | Closed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred Dock Alfred Dock Alfred Dock is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. The dock covers an area of and provides access to the Great Float from the River Mersey. Of the existing two river entrances, only the north locks remain operational. Tower Road, which links Birkenhead with the Seacombe area of... |
1866 | Entrance from/exit to River Mersey. | |
| Bidston Dock Bidston Dock Bidston Dock, was a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It was situated to the west of the Great Float, between Bidston and Poulton.-History:... |
1933 | 2002-3 | Filled in. |
| Egerton Dock Egerton Dock Egerton Dock, is a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. Named after Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton who laid the foundation stone in October 1844, the dock was completed in 1847... |
1847 | Not used. Passage to Great Float closed. | |
| Vittoria Dock Vittoria Dock Vittoria Dock is a dock in Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It was built between 1905 and 1909 within the Great Float.-The name 'Vittoria':The dock is named after the Battle of Vittoria, fought on 21 June 1813 and was designed by A.G.Lyster.... |
1909 | ||
| Wallasey Dock Wallasey Dock The Wallasey Dock, was a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It opened in 1877, replacing the Great Low Water Basin, which had opened directly onto the River Mersey to the east... |
1877 | 2001 | Filled in. Site is part of the Twelve Quays Twelve quays The Twelve Quays ferry terminal is located on the River Mersey at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It is used for transporting passengers and freight between Merseyside and Belfast, Northern Ireland and Dublin, Republic of Ireland... development. |
In addition, three graving docks existed in the Great Float for ship repairs. Bidston No.3 Dock remains in use as part of the facilities of Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd
Cammell Laird
Cammell Laird, one of the most famous names in British shipbuilding during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, came about following the merger of Laird, Son & Co. of Birkenhead and Johnson Cammell & Co. of Sheffield at the turn of the twentieth century.- Founding of the business :The Company...
. The other graving docks were filled in during the 1980s.
Bridges
Three road bridges cross the Great Float:A red girdered bascule bridge
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
at Tower Road connects the Seacombe
Seacombe
Seacombe is a district of the town of Wallasey, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively, Seacombe is a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation in 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Wallasey, within the geographical county of...
district of Wallasey with Birkenhead. Known as the Four Bridges, as originally four movable bridges existed along Tower Road: two between the Great Float and Alfred Dock, one between the Great Float and Wallasey Dock and one between the Great Float and Egerton Dock. When originally built, all four were hydraulic
Hydraulic machinery
Hydraulic machines are machinery and tools that use liquid fluid power to do simple work. Heavy equipment is a common example.In this type of machine, hydraulic fluid is transmitted throughout the machine to various hydraulic motors and hydraulic cylinders and which becomes pressurised according to...
swing bridge
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
types. In the 1930s most were replaced by bascule bridges.
Joining the southern end of the Poulton
Poulton, Merseyside
Poulton is an area of the town of Wallasey, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. It is bordered by Liscard to the north, Seacombe and Egremont to the east and the Wallasey Pool - which gave the area its name - to the south.-History:...
district of Wallasey with the north end of Birkenhead, Duke Street bridge is also a bascule (see-saw) bridge but with painted green girders. Originally, it was also a swing bridge.
Furthest upstream is the Penny Bridge, which crosses the head of the pool to connect Poulton with Bidston
Bidston
Bidston is a suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England. Administratively, it is also a ward of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Before local government reorganisation on 1 April 1974, it was part of the County Borough of Birkenhead, within the geographical county of Cheshire...
in Birkenhead. Replacing an earlier wooden bridge of 1843, the name derives from the 1896 one penny
Penny
A penny is a coin or a type of currency used in several English-speaking countries. It is often the smallest denomination within a currency system.-Etymology:...
toll to cross in one direction. The bridge was replaced again in 1926 and provided access to Bidston Dock
Bidston Dock
Bidston Dock, was a dock at Birkenhead, Wirral Peninsula, England. It was situated to the west of the Great Float, between Bidston and Poulton.-History:...
. The dock itself has been filled in and the bridge was replaced by a fixed roadway in 1996.
Central Hydraulic Tower
Jesse Hartley
Jesse Hartley was Civil Engineer and Superintendent of the Concerns of the Dock Estate in Liverpool, England between 1824 and 1860.-Hartley's career:...
, who was responsible for many of Liverpool's maritime structures - including the Albert Dock
Albert Dock
The Albert Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool, England. Designed by Jesse Hartley and Philip Hardwick, it was opened in 1846, and was the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and stone, with no structural wood...
, designed the Central Hydraulic Tower and Engine House. Providing power for the movement of lock
Lock (water transport)
A lock is a device for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. The distinguishing feature of a lock is a fixed chamber in which the water level can be varied; whereas in a caisson lock, a boat lift, or on a canal inclined plane, it is...
gates and bridges at Birkenhead Docks, it was completed in 1863. The design of the building was based on the Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence, Italy. This massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany...
in the Piazza Della Signoria, Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
The building sustained considerable damage from bombing during the Second World War and was repaired in a functional, rather than architectural style. The large lantern
Lantern
A lantern is a portable lighting device or mounted light fixture used to illuminate broad areas. Lanterns may also be used for signaling, as 'torches', or as general light sources outdoors . Low light level varieties are used for decoration. The term "lantern" is also used more generically to...
at the top of the tower was not replaced. The building is now disused and in a dilapidated condition.
In March 2008, a planning application was submitted for a £12 million restoration and redevelopment of the building by Peel Holdings to be converted into a bar and restaurant. A ninety-two bed hotel complex is planned to be constructed immediately adjacent to it.
Wirral Waters
Peel Holdings announced on 6 September 2006 the Wirral WatersWirral Waters
Wirral Waters is a large scale £4.5bn development that has been proposed by the company Peel Holdings for Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula, England...
project. This would allow for a £4.5bn of investment in the regeneration of the dockland area. This equates with an investment of over £14,000 for each of the 320,000 population of Wirral. At the East Float and Vittoria Dock, the development would include several 50-storey skyscrapers, 5000000 square feet (464,515.2 m²) of new office space and 11000000 square feet (1,021,933.4 m²) for new residential apartments. A retail and leisure quarter at the former Bidston Dock site would encompass another 571000 square feet (53,047.6 m²) of space. The whole project is estimated to create over 27,000 permanent new jobs, aside from the employment required for construction and other peripheral employment.
The Wirral Waters Baseline Study of July 2008 has been endorsed by Wirral Borough Council
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 311,200, and encompasses of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of...
. In February 2009 the first stage of the planning application for the first major mixed use development masterplan/quarter was submitted. The development would be expected to take up to 30 years.