Grimsby Dock Tower

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (June 2008)
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Grimsby Dock Tower

Aerial view

Grimsby Dock Tower is a famous maritime landmark in North East Lincolnshire, England. It was built in 1852 with the purpose of containing a 30,000-UK-gallon (136 m³) water reservoir, which was originally used to provide hydraulic power to the lock gates and cranes of Grimsby Docks. The tower was designed by J. W. Wild and was based around the design of the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena. It was built under the supervision of J. M. Rendell, who was the engineer in charge of construction of the Royal Dock. The tower was opened by Queen Victoria.

The tower is Grade I listed. It is 309 feet (94 m) high, 28 feet (8.5 m) wide at the base, and tapers gradually to 26 feet (8 m) below the first projection; its walls are 4 feet (1.2 m) thick and narrow to 3 feet (0.9 m) at the string course under the corbels. Local legend has it that the tower was built on a foundation of cotton wool; in reality, bales of sheep's wool were used to absorb water that could not be bailed out from the foundations. It is believed the bales were left in the foundations during construction.

During the Second World War, there were plans to demolish the tower, as it acted as a beacon for German Luftwaffe heading towards Liverpool. Later, a plaque was placed on the bricks paying tribute to the minesweeper crews of the war.

In 1900, hydraulic accumulator towers were introduced—whereby the water pressure was created by compressing the water with a 300-tonne weight. This effectively spelled the end to practical use of the Dock Tower. However, for many Grimbarians, the structure will remain the true monument to the town's maritime heritage. Today, people abseil down the side of the tower twice a year to raise money for charity by the Grimsby Rotary Club. It is possible to climb the tower to see the views over the whole of Grimsby and Cleethorpes, although it is generally not open to the public.

There is a model of the Grimsby Dock Tower entirely constructed of Lego, at Legoland in Windsor. While the tower itself is correct, a large building has been incorrectly added to the base of the tower.