THEN & NOW MANCHESTER DOCKS

Welcome to Then and Now, where each week we compare images of Manchester streets, landmarks and buildings from bygone days with how they look in more recent times

OUR main image this week captures the hustle and bustle of Manchester Docks on a June morning in 1967. Vessels are unloading as tugs ply their trade. In the centre is the Manchester Ship Canal Company tug MSC Sovereign, built at the Appledore shipyard of PK Harris and Son in 1957.

The 147-ton Sovereign was a familiar sight on the Manchester Ship Canal until 1988 when it moved to Birkenhead. It was broken up in 2006.

Manchester Docks consisted of nine docks marking the upper reaches of the ship canal. They formed part of the Port of Manchester from 1894 until their closure in 1982.

The docks were divided into two sections – Salford docks to the west of Trafford Road swing bridge and Pomona docks to the east. Manchester was Britain’s third busiest port in 1948 after Hull suffered damage in the Blitz.

Coastal and ocean-bound ships alike used Manchester Docks, as well as liners carrying passengers to Canadian ports.

But decline set in during the 1970s as containerisation demanded bigger vessels that were simply too large for the ship canal.

After closure in 1982, the docks became derelict. Salford City Council purchased the area in 1984 and adopted the Salford Quays Development Plan in 1985.

From 1986 to 1990, the docks were transformed with new bridges, roads and a promenade. Housing, offices, a cinema and hotel were also constructed.

Our modern image from 2015 shows part of the old docks looking toward Media City in Salford.

● iNostalgia’s latest book - Manchester Then and Now - is on sale now. It’s an unmissable compilation of the past and present images that feature in the M.E.N. every Sunday.

The book is available for £12.99 on inostalgia.co.uk or on the order hotline 01928 503777.