Plaque Wording: Under auspices of our most gracious sovereign George III the sanction of His Majesty's government and the patronage of the East India Company these wet docks appropriated to the commerce of India and ships in that employ were accomplished in those eventful years MDCCCIV, MDCCCV, MDCCCVI the first stone being laid March IV, MDCCCIV. They were opened by the introduction of five ships from 1,200 to 800 tons with valuable cargoes.
On IV August MDCCCVI the grand undertaking in the laudable endeavours of the managing owners of ships in the company's service and the important national objects of increased security to property and revenue combined with improved accommodation, economy and despatch were thus early realised....