North Liverpool: The North Docks, Kirkdale, Bootle and Seaforth

	Leeds and Liverpool Canal Locks at Stanley Dock The Leeds and Liverpool Canal terminates in a series of four locks, designed by Jesse Hartley, at Stanley Dock. At 126 miles (203 km), it is the longest canal in northern England. Parts of the canal date from 1774, but this final section was not completed until 1848. The railway bridge is of the same date. Commercial traffic ceased in 1964, but the canal is now used extensively for leisure pursuits. The towpath from Aintree into Liverpool is well-maintained throughout its 9 miles (14 km) and makes an interesting and peaceful, if tortuous, walk or cycle ride through the northern conurbation.
	Stanley Dock The Stanley Dock warehouses, designed, like the Albert Dock warehouses, by Jesse Hartley, were opened in 1856. What a contrast, though, here in the north docks, where the site, though a conservation area, is derelict. Not a smart boutique or gift shop (or, come to that, human being) in sight. Never mind, it is far more atmospheric in its way ('easily the most impressive and the most evocatively derelict dock in Liverpool', according to the Pevsner Guide). The warehouse on the south side of the dock was demolished and the dock partly filled in in 1901 to make way for the huge Tobacco Bonded Warehouse.
The North Docks in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) The Prince's dock, constructed under an act passed in the 51st of George III, was opened with great ceremony on the 19th of July, 1821, the day of the coronation of George IV.; it is 500 yards in length, and 106 in breadth. On the north is a spacious basin belonging to it, and on the south it communicates with the basin of George's dock: at the north end is a handsome dwelling-house for the dock-master, with suitable offices; and at the south end a house in which the master of George's dock resides. Spacious sheds called 'transit sheds' have been recently built on the west quay, into which a ship may discharge her cargo immediately on her arrival, under the surveillance of the custom-house officers, the goods to be afterwards distributed to the different owners: by this convenience, much delay is avoided. Northward of the basin belonging to this dock are three docks called the Waterloo, the Victoria, and the Trafalgar; the first was opened in 1834, and the two others in 1836: the Trafalgar dock is principally used for steam-vessels. Still further in the same direction are the Clarence dock and half-tide basin, completed in 1830, and appropriated solely to steam-vessels frequenting the port; also two capacious graving docks. Beyond these graving docks, a vast accession of accommodation is now in course of construction, under the provisions of an act passed in the 8th Victoria, consisting of eight separate docks and six graving docks, the former having an aggregate water area of above 60 acres, and quay space measuring 3 miles and 257 yards in length. These splendid docks will be capable of admitting steamers of the largest class, and will communicate, by a series of locks, with the Leeds canal, an improvement of the greatest importance.
	Stanley Dock Lift Bridge and Hydraulic Tower The octagonal hydraulic tower and pumphouse used to provide power for lifting devices, capstans, locks, bridges and tobacco presses. Hartley's frequent use of turrets, arrow slits and other trappings of the mediaeval castle for such buildings was intended to reinforce the impression of impregnability.
	Victoria Tower and Stanley Dock Lift Bridge The hexagonal, castellated Victoria Tower, designed by Jesse Hartley and completed in 1848, is a clock (one per face) and bell tower that used to give time to neighbouring docks and passing ships and ring out high tide and warnings. It also provided a flat for the Piermaster. It is seen here from the Stanley Dock lift bridge across Collingwood and Salisbury Docks.
	The Dock Wall and Entrance Gates The docks in this area were all built by Hartley between 1844 and 1858. The massive Dock Wall is of an extraordinarily intricate stone construction, reminiscent of dry stone walling in its dovetailing of irregular blocks. The periodic dock gates with their castellated gatepiers were intended to give the impression of impregnability and hence deter pilferers (not always successfully, according to local folklore).
	Hydraulic Accumulator Tower This structure at Bramley-Moore Dock, now derelict, was once used to provide hydraulic power to drive machinery. A heavy atmosphere of decay still broods over much of the North Dock area.
	The Tobacco Bonded Warehouse The vast Tobacco Bonded Warehouse of 1901 by A.G. Lyster is 12 storeys high and, with 27 million bricks, it is reputed to be the largest brick building in the world. The narrow passage between it and the adjacent warehouse, where the wind howls and the sun rarely shines, was nicknamed Pneumonia Alley.
	The Victoria Tower and Tobacco Bonded Warehouse As seen from over the water at Egremont Ferry. In a commanding position on the skyline between them, above Stanley Dock warehouse, is St. George's church, Everton.
	The Bonded Tea Warehouse Originally the Clarence Warehouses, this was Liverpool's largest warehouse when constructed in 1844. This and the Tobacco Warehouse form the last significant remnant of what was once the characteristic landscape of the dock hinterland.
Kirkdale in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) The township derived its name from its position midway between the town of Liverpool and the parish church of Walton-on-the-Hill, which, previously to 1700, was the parish church of Liverpool: as the road from the town to the church lay through a hollow part or gentle vale across this township, the place was called Chirkdele, now Kirkdale. Of the families which held lands here soon after the Conquest, was one of the local name. The Waltons were connected with the township in the reign of Henry III.; and the family of More, or de la More, established themselves here in 1280, and built a seat near Liverpool, called More Hall, which, with Bank Hall, was in their possession for upwards of twenty generations. The latter mansion was situated near the sea; it was a curious model of the style of architecture that prevailed five centuries ago, and was then esteemed a very grand structure. [...] Bank Hall was totally demolished in 1778, and a neat farmhouse was built on its site: the house and farm are now the property of the Earl of Derby. [...] The vicinity of Kirkdale to Liverpool, with which town it is now joined, has greatly and rapidly increased the population, and the value of the land, on which several hundred houses have been erected within the last fifty years. [...] On an elevated spot here, opposite the mouth of the Mersey, and distant from it about half a mile, stands the County Gaol and House of Correction, covering an area of five acres, and surrounded by a wall 27 feet high, the western portion of which was blown inwards by the hurricane of January 6th, 1840, but immediately restored. [...] The whole of the prison is in course of being rebuilt on the plan of the model prison at Pentonville [...]. The new building consists of four wings projecting at right angles from a great central hall, each wing having accommodation for 120 prisoners in separate cells, besides workrooms, baths, &c., on the basement. The chapel stands between two of the wings, near the hall, and the interior, arranged as the segment of a circle, affords space for 400 prisoners, each in a separate stall, so as to prevent them from seeing each other, while all are visible to the chaplain and the officers of the gaol, in front.
Kirkdale in the Victoria History of the County of Lancaster (1907) With a frontage to the Mersey of a mile in length, Kirkdale [...] occupies the level ground between Everton and the river, a large part of which was formerly sandhills, and the village lay at the foot of the hill, on the north-west side of the road from Liverpool to Walton. To the north rose a brook which ran down to the river by Bank Hall. [...] Like other townships absorbed by the growth of Liverpool, Kirkdale is a mass of buildings, chiefly small cottage property, the dwellings of the working classes, mixed up with factories and warehouses, railways, and shops. There are no natural features left, scarcely a green tree to relieve the monotony of ugly buildings and gloomy surroundings, save in some old enclosure that was once a garden. [...] The Overhead Railway runs along the line of docks, with several stopping places; and the Liverpool tramway system has many lines in and out of the city and across. A large part of the shore side of the township is occupied with railway sidings and stations in connexion with the dock traffic. The portion of the dock system within the township limits includes Sandon Dock, with its large graving docks; Huskisson Dock, with two long branches, and Canada Dock with its branch.
	Christ Church, Bootle This elegant and imposing church was completed in 1866.
	Old Cottage, Bootle Yes, Bootle does still have a few remnants of older times. As a settlement, it goes back to Saxon times and the name appeared in the Domesday Book. By the end of the 18th century it was something of a seaside resort. This cottage, opposite Christ Church, looks as though it might be 17th century.
Bootle cum Linacre in Liverpool, Enfield (1774) Bootle cum Linacre lies near the sea on a very sandy soil and contains some well-built houses. A very copious spring of fine, soft, pure water rises near it, which about half a mile below turns a mill and soon after falls into the sea at Bootle Bay. [...] Linacre, a pretty rural village, is a distinct township, but a member of the manor of Bootle. It lies adjacent to the sea, on the west.
Bootle cum Linacre in Stranger in Liverpool (1812) The ride along the beach was, in the summer, remarkably pleasant and much frequented. The sands were hard and smooth, and the wind, especially if westerly, cool and refreshing.
Bootle cum Linacre in Baines's Lancashire Directory (1824) A pleasant marine village [...] much resorted to in the summer season as a sea bathing place.
Bootle in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) At this place are some works for supplying the town of Liverpool with water, from a spring which formerly discharged itself at Bootle bay, on the coast, after turning a mill within half a mile of its source. [...] Anciently there were paperworks and flour-mills at Bootle; the latter were destroyed by fire some years ago. The township is beautifully situated on the shores of the Mersey, at its mouth. [...] The beach is firm, of great extent, and much resorted to for bathing, and horse exercise. The village is well built; there are numerous elegant villas, and ranges of houses inhabited by the merchants of Liverpool, and some excellent hotels and lodging-houses with every accommodation for visiters. The expansive views of the sea, the Cheshire coast, mountains of Wales, &c., are highly attractive in this quarter.
Bootle and Linacre in the Victoria History of the County of Lancaster (1907) This township has a frontage to the Mersey of nearly a mile and a half in length and extends landward about two miles. [...] The land rises from the river eastward, until near Walton an elevation of 150 ft. is reached. [...] There is scarcely a square yard of ground left that is not covered with crowded streets, railways, timber-yards, canal wharfs, and, last but not least, extensive docks and quays. A forest of masts and funnels takes the place of green trees, and solid stone walls reflect themselves in the River Mersey instead of grassy slopes. Huge warehouses rise up on every side. The hum of machinery mingles with the cries of flocks of seagulls and the rush of passing and repassing vessels of all descriptions. The North Wall lighthouse and the battery are conspicuous objects along the river wall. [...] The Liverpool Overhead Railway, opened in 1893, runs by the docks, having its terminus at Seaforth. [...] Linacre village was situated on the present Linacre Road [...]. The shoreward portion of the township was called Linacre Marsh; Marsh Lane led down to it. The northern boundary was Rimrose Brook; the southern was another brook rising in Bootle and flowing to the river parallel to the mill stream. [...] At the beginning of last century [...] the spring had become one of the chief sources of the Liverpool water supply. Within the last fifty years the growth of Liverpool trade has turned the seaside summer resort into a busy town. The sandy shore has been reclaimed for the largest of the Mersey Docks, namely the Brocklebank; Langton, opened in 1881; Alexandra, with three branches, 1881; and Hornby. To the north of the latter is a large open space, in the northwest corner of which is the Seaforth Battery. On the river wall at the Hornby dock gate is a lighthouse. There was a sandstone quarry in Breeze Hill. There are large dye works, corn mills, and jute works, but the occupations of the inhabitants are principally connected with docks and railways, the timber-yards and grain stores. An outbreak of plague occurred in 1652.