Building dock at

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This dry dock, measuring 560 x 90 x 10 metres deep, was constructed in 1969. It was and remains the largest of its kind in the UK. It has two sets of sea doors. A second ‘portable’ set can be inserted within the dock to create two chambers for two entirely separate projects.

Historical information

Evolving from a small shipbuilding company owned by Robert Hickson, Harland and Wolff officially came into being on the 11th of April 1861 with the signing of a formal partnership between Edward Harland and Gustav Wolff. . The company steadily rose in size and strength to the mid 20th century when it employed some 65,000 men in plants throughout the UK; at the time it was known as ‘Shipbuilders to the World’.
In the later half of the 20th century the focus of shipbuilding steadily moved to the away from the UK. In an attempt to remain competitive, in the late 1960s Harland and Wolff undertook a bold redevelopment programme which included the construction of two large bridge cranes, a huge dry dock and two large industrial workshops.
The cranes were designed and constructed by Krupp a German heavy engineering manufacturer. It is ironic to note that during WWII Krupp manufactured munitions for the war German effort. A small part of those efforts were directed against the Belfast ship yards during a number of air raids. Some 25 years after the end of the conflict Krupp came to Belfast to build these magnificent new cranes.

The dry dock was constructed in 1969 and to be used in conjunction with the bridge cranes. Goliath, which stands some 196 metres high was constructed in 1969. Samson, which stands at 206 metres was constructed in 1972.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

Extremely large dry dock constructed in conjunction bridge cranes with a , between 1969. This dry dock is protected through scheduling.