Building of St Katharine's Docks

The St Katharine Docks were built between 1826 and 1828 on the site of the Royal Hospital and Collegiate Church of St Katharine by the Tower, founded in 1148 by Queen Matilda. The hospital and church as well as 1,200 houses were pulled down to make way for the construction of the docks. As a densely inhabited area, over 11,000 inhabitants were displaced. Thomas Telford, the principal engineer of the docks, had to contend with a compact and awkward 23-acre site. He built two docks, linked by a basin with just one entrance lock. Philip Hardwick, the architect of the docks, designed warehouses with iron columns that rose sheer form the edge of the quayside.

This watercolour by the topographical artist Robert Schnebbelie depicts the development of the docks prior to their official opening, which took place in 1828. His work focuses on the construction of the new docks and highlights the physical labour involved by including workers in the foreground and a horse and cart nearby. The image of the city as a centre of industry and commerce is compounded by the smoke issuing from factories in the distance.

This is one of a number of watercolours by Schnebbelie in the Museum of London's collection. Schnebbelie exhibited his work at the Royal Academy and illustrated a number of publications which focused on London.