Bull Head Dock

Bull Head Dock in Rotherhithe on the River Thames, London, formerly Bullhead Drydock, subsequently converted into a wet dock for barges and lighters, was either named after the Great Bull's Head pub, closed 1888 or the Half Moon & Bull's Head pub closed around 1985 by which time it had become known as Cooper's. In the later 18th and early 19th centuries, the shipyard here was run by successive members of the Woolcombe family, sometimes in partnership with others. Some small warships were built here, as were six East Indiamen. From 1810 to around 1814, William Beatson & John Beatson were in partnership here with McGhie of Upper Globe dock, although the Beatsons were replaced by McGhie's other partners from there. By 1815, David Beatson was operating as a ship breakers at Surrey Canal Wharf. The size of the Bullhead Dockyard was gradually reduced, and a large strip of land adjacent to the drydock was occupied by Mr. William Caudery, Guano Merchant and Manure Manufacturer.

In 1838 Bullhead Dock became a general engineering shop, under the title Thames Bank Ironworks, run first by John Hague, later by Christie, Adams & Hill. Under this last partnership between October 1848 and December 1849, six railway locomotives were built for the London & South Western Railway. Towards the end of the 19th century, the yard became Vestry Wharf, and was used for sending refuse away by barge. More recently Bullhead Dock was used by SandS Films.

See also

• Shipbuilding in Rotherhithe

Further reading

• Shipbuilding in Rotherhithe - An historical introduction by Stuart Rankin, Bib Id 488375
• Shipbuilding in Rotherhithe - Bull Head Dock to the Pageants Part 1 by Stuart Rankin, Bib Id 594173