B/W print; Royal Docks in North Woolwich, Aerofilms Ltd, circa 1928

The Royal Docks in North Woolwich. During 1920s and 30s, the London Docks handled increasing volumes of cargo in spite of the Depression, which significantly affected world trade. In part, this was because the Port of London Authority (P.L.A.) had amalgamated the docks in 1909. Previously they had been run by private enterprise. The P.L.A. immediately began much-needed modernisation. This included building the George V Dock at North Woolwich, the last of the Royal Docks to be built. It was completed in 1921, and at the time was the largest area of enclosed water in the world. The population of North Woolwich in London's East End depended on the nearby docks for their livelihood, but there was still high unemployment here. By 1925, 70,000 people in the borough of Newham were receiving 'Poor Relief'.