Prince of Wales Graving Dock (Southampton)

Prince of Wales Graving Dock in Southampton shortly after completion
History
United Kingdom
NamePrince of Wales Graving Dock
Christened3 August 1895
Completed2 August 1895
Decommissioned1978
Home port
General characteristics (as completed)
Length750 ft (228.6 m) (floor)
Beam
  • Entrance:
  • 87 ft 6 in (26.7 m) (sill)
  • 91 ft (27.7 m) (coping)
  • Dock proper:
  • 87 ft 6 in (26.7 m) (floor)
  • 112 ft 5 in (34.3 m) (coping)
Draft
  • 32 ft 6 in (9.9 m) (HWOST)
  • 29 ft (8.8 m) (HWNT)

Prince of Wales Graving Dock in Southampton was at one time the largest dry dock in the world. It opened in 1895, and was also known as 'Prince of Wales Dry Dock' or 'Dry Dock No 5'. For some years, it serviced many famous ocean liners. As these became bigger, it took a less prominent role.

Prince of Wales Dry Dock was filled in in 1978. This had to do with a local reduction in demand for dry docking; The dock being outdated; and the port having good use for the grounds that it occupied. Only the entrance from Empress Dock is now still visible.

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