The Port Of Dover Through Time

by Ian Collard

The Port of Dover is Europe’s busiest ferry port and is situated in south-east England. It is the nearest port to France, which is twenty-one miles away, and the world’s busiest passenger port, with 12 million travellers, 2.5 million lorries, 2.2 million cars and motorcycles and 87,000 coaches passing through it each year.

The port is owned and operated by the Dover Harbour Board, which was formed by Royal Charter in 1606 by King James I. It has an annual turnover of £59.8 milliont. P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways operate services to Calais and Dunkirk from the Eastern Docks.

The Western Docks are formed by the western arm of the harbour and include Admiralty Pier and other port facilities. The old railway station rwas e-opened as the Dover Cruise Terminal and can accommodate up to three cruise ships at a time.

This is an interesting book for those who remember the port in its growing post-war period although some of the photographs are not of the best quality.