Page 8 - Gen Mag Online November 2020

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By 1972, much of Albert Dock had become in a state of
disrepair, as had many of the docks on the waterfront.

JESSE HARTLEY (1780 - 1860) Liverpool had lost much of its prowess as a port. Goods still
arrived but not to the same level as they were in Jesse
st
Jesse was born 21 December Hartley’s day. Even the big liners stopped coming.
1788, son of Bernard Hartley.
Liverpool wasn’t just a centre for goods but a centre for people
Although a civil engineer, travelling to and from other parts of the world, notably New
Hartley had no experience in York in the USA.
building docks when he was
approached to design one. The dock remained derelict until the creation of the
Merseyside Development Corporation in 1981, who decided
Originally, he was appointed to redevelop it into a tourist attraction as part of the Liverpool
as Deputy Dock Surveyor, re-generation scheme. Something that it is still to this day.
working for John Foster, a
local architect, who also The dock is also an integral part of UNESCO’s designation
designed the Liverpool of the Liverpool waterfront as a World Heritage site. This is
Necropolis. However Foster currently under threat as there is a dispute between local
resigned just 3 days after his officials in Liverpool and UNESCO as to how the area should
own appointment. be developed further.

As well as building Albert Albert Dock’s collection of buildings are considered to be the
Dock, which was named after largest collection of Grade 1 listed buildings anywhere in the
Prince Albert, husband of UK.
Queen Victoria, Hartley was
responsible for modernising INTERESTING FACTS
many of the existing buildings
on the Liverpool waterfront. In 1984, the dock was made ready for the Cutty Sark tall
ships race, with many ships arriving from many different
The industrial revolution was worldwide locations.
in its height, and Hartley
among many other Liverpool The success of the Cutty Sark races was the catalyst for
citizens were enjoying the the creation of the International Garden Festival further
fruits of their own interests. down the river at Otterspool.

Hartley died 24th August 1860. The former Dock Track Office
He left one son, J B Hartley became home to Granada
(1814 - 1869) who established Television who operated hear
himself as a well known civil for a number of years.
engineer, promoting the
docks at Birkenhead on the The Prince of Wales, prince
other side of the river Mersey. Charles officially re-opened Albert Dock Traffic Office
Albert Dock in 1988, some (home to Granada TV
Development of the Liverpool 142 years after his great great from 1984)
Dock’s area including Albert Dock great grandfather Prince Albert
still continues to this day, with did the same in 1846.
hotels, new homes - particularly
luxury apartments being built.

No doubt Jesse Hartley, while decrying the loss of his famous dock as a loading bay for goods, will
be pleased that his construction still stands and more importantly still being used, albeit for pleasure.

And what of Philip Hardwick? Well he was a notable architect specialising in railways. His best known
constructions include the now demolished Euston Arch and Birmingham Curzon Street railway
stations.

More about Philip Hardwick and Jesse Hartley in a future edition.