Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

THE DOCKS OF LIVERPOOL. 357 them is the Alexandra, in Bootle, which has an area of forty-four acres and a quay space of 11,814 feet. On the Cheshire side the live cattle trade of the port of Liverpool is dealt with. Nearly half of the cattle imported into Britain enters by the Mersey, and at Birkenhead the most up-to-date methods are employed for coping with the tiaffic. W hen the cattle are landed they arc driven to the “ lairages ” a few yards away, where they ait slaughtered. During the season as many as 7,000 head of cattle per week are killed at these “ lairages,” and in a single year 300,000 have been despatched. This vast system of docks is worked, under the administrative board and committee already described, by a large staff of workers. Each clock or section of docks has a master, who has under him a body of workers, who have charge of all that goes on within that particular territory. To watch the dock- men at work is a most interesting sight. But the sight of all to see here is, say, the Oceanic or Campania being brought out 01- in. A slow and deliberate process it seems— and, indeed, when one considers the size of the average liner and the immense loss s' any accident occur, one understands the reason for the care and watchful- ness. A tug leads the way for the liner, and another hangs on astern ; and the great ship is moved slowly in the way it should go by these tiny craft. The observer notes with satisfaction that the liner is being safely handled, but he is con- fused by the multiplicity of advisers; the captain, far aloft on the bridge, seems to have least of any to do with the movement of the ship. Officials on the dock walls seem to be the controllers, but really those mainly re- sponsible are the dock men, who have become expert at the delicate work by reason of long experience. At last' the great ship is got safely through the narrow gateways and into the spacious Basin. 1 here she is swung gently round by the tugs, and once cleai of the entrance she proceeds under her own steam to her anchorage in the river. From the business in great waters to the business in harrow waters is but a short step here, for canals radiate throughout the country, and this cheap and useful method of distribution is largely employed. Certain kinds of merchandise, before being despatched to their destination, are stored in Liverpool, and for these the accommodation is immense. The principal article kept in store is cotton, which is afterwards sent on to the spinning centres as it is there required. Anothei in- dustry of great importance to a seaport is ■ . K Ml THE LANDING STAGE, LIVERPOOL. AN ISLE OF MAN STEAMER IS SHOWN IN THE FOREGROUND.