Tilbury
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Tilbury | |
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| Population | 12,091 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Unitary authority | Thurrock |
| Ceremonial county | Essex |
| Region | East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TILBURY |
| Postcode district | RM18 |
| Dial code | 01375 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| UK Parliament | Thurrock |
| European Parliament | East of England |
| List of places: UK • England • Essex | |
Tilbury is located on the north bank of the River Thames, in the borough of Thurrock in England, at the point where the river suddenly narrows to about 800 yards/740 metres in width.
Tilbury has a deep water port, a fort and was the site of an important ferry to Gravesend on the south bank of the river. Over recent years Tilbury has gained a large travelling community.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] History
Until the 12th century, the area on which the present town of Tilbury is built was a natural salt marsh. Around 1200, the land was protected from the tidal Thames, but was still an unhealthy place to live - Daniel Defoe [1] who lived here for a while writes about "the Essex ague".
The first permanent fort at Tilbury was built in 1539 by Henry VIII to defend London from ships sailing up the Thames. It was here in 1588, that Queen Elizabeth I came ashore to review her main army at West Tilbury (see Speech to the Troops at Tilbury)
Following the coming of the railways (initialy the London Tilbury and Southend Railway which later was taken over by the London Midland and Scottish Railway, a few houses were built for railway workers. The major expansion followed the building of Tilbury Docks at the end of the 19th century.
[edit] Docks
For many people Tilbury dock was their point of emigration to Australia under an assisted passage scheme established and operated by the Australian Government. The “Ten Pound Poms” as they were known in Australia, embarked on to ships such as RMS Mooltan and set of for a new life. The docks at Tilbury operated as London's passenger liner terminal until the 1960s, and were reopened by the Port of Tilbury group as the London Cruise Terminal [1]. The London Cruise Terimnal takes many bookings each year.
Today the port handles a variety of cargo, container, and passenger liner traffic and remains, along with Southampton and Felixstowe, one of Britain's three major ports.
Near the Dockmaster's office, on New Lock, is a memorial to Captain Peter de Neumann, GM, who was killed there in an accident on 16 September 1972.
[edit] Transport
Thurrock Council operates a ferry between Tilbury and Gravesend, together with Kent County Council.
Tilbury has one railway station on the c2c (London, Tilbury and Southend) rail route:
Tilbury Riverside railway station was closed November 29th 1992 and a bus service now connects Tilbury Town railway station and the ferry to Gravesend.
A form of transport in the 19th century as alluded to by Patrick O'Brian in his book "Desolation Island", page 40, "the post-boy...feigned interest in a passing tilbury, calling out to its driver 'that the knacker's yard was only a quarter of a mile along the road...'"
[edit] Appearances in Films
The docks at Tilbury stood in for those of Venice during the boat chase scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Scenes for the film Batman Begins were also filmed here, as well as a scene in the 2004 Jude Law film Alfie. There was also an episode of londons burning (A fireman drama show) which was shot in the Old Firestation, In Civic Square in Tilbury
[edit] Notes
- ^ A Tour Round the Whole Island
