By around 1850, it was becoming clear that Peterhead harbour needed a larger and deeper graving dock to accommodate the large Greenland whalers.

The Harbour Trustees accepted the need but, as is ever the case, they were short of money. Nevertheless, they agreed to proceed with the venture, but only if the ship-owners were willing to underwrite the cost to the tune of £1,500. This they did, by levying a tax of 6s 8d on every ton of whale-oil landed by their vessels.

Thomas Stevensen prepared the plans for the new facility in the south west corner of the North Harbour. The dock was to be 148 feet in length and of granite construction. Stevensen wanted steam driven pumps to empty the dock but was overruled and 2 pumps driven by teams of six horses were installed at a cost of £130. These were capable of emptying the dock of water in under 8 hours.

The dock was completed in 1855 at a total cost of £6,000. A hundred and fifty years later it is still providing a sterling service to the maritime industry.

©Martyn Gorman The graving dock, Peterhead, 1855