Plaque Wording:
This plaque commemorates 335 years of the tea industry in the City of London, which in its heyday controlled over 85% of the world's tea trade.
The City's trade opened with the British East Indian Company which had a monopoly over the importation of tea from China & India. As a result of the growing tea trade in the City, St Katharine Docks opened on 25th October 1828, with Butler's Wharf following 65 years later in 1893 on the opposite side of the River Thames. At this time, St Katharine Docks was at the centre of Britain's roaring commercial trade and, alongside Butler's Wharf, was recognised as the main tea storage and processing centre in London.
During its 140 years as working docks, St Katharine Docks regularly welcomed tea clippers such the famous 'Cutty Sark' in addition to more modern steam ships. The Docks gained prominence due to its prime location on the River Thames, ensuring ease of access to the main tea companies in the City.
Tea trading was central to Britain's commercial trade in the 1800s as tea was the second largest commodity after wool, with tea warehouses receiving 120,000 tea chests annually. These chests were transported by ships into the docks and then lifted by manual chain pulleys to the platforms and storage floors. At its peak, Butler's Wharf handled 400,000 tea chests a year.
This plaque was generously donated by.....
The City's trade opened with the British East Indian Company which had a monopoly over the importation of tea from China & India. As a result of the growing tea trade in the City, St Katharine Docks opened on 25th October 1828, with Butler's Wharf following 65 years later in 1893 on the opposite side of the River Thames. At this time, St Katharine Docks was at the centre of Britain's roaring commercial trade and, alongside Butler's Wharf, was recognised as the main tea storage and processing centre in London.
During its 140 years as working docks, St Katharine Docks regularly welcomed tea clippers such the famous 'Cutty Sark' in addition to more modern steam ships. The Docks gained prominence due to its prime location on the River Thames, ensuring ease of access to the main tea companies in the City.
Tea trading was central to Britain's commercial trade in the 1800s as tea was the second largest commodity after wool, with tea warehouses receiving 120,000 tea chests annually. These chests were transported by ships into the docks and then lifted by manual chain pulleys to the platforms and storage floors. At its peak, Butler's Wharf handled 400,000 tea chests a year.
This plaque was generously donated by.....