Queen's Island was reclaimed in various stages from the tidal mud flats of Belfast Lough around the turn of the 20th century. Following the dramatic decline in heavy industry and shipbuilding, the site, previously occupied by Harland & Wolff, is now undergoing redevelopment.

The Northern Ireland Science Park site comprises 25 acres acres in the area known as the Thompson Triangle, which includes the Thompson Graving Dock and its associated Pumphouse.

The Dock is scheduled by Environment and Heritage Service as a monument. The Pumphouse is similarly listed as a Grade 2 building.

The Belfast Ballast Board (later to become the Belfast Harbour Commissioners) started work in 1840 to redevelop the eastern banks of the River Lagan. By the time this was completed a 17 acre island had been formed on the east side of the river, called Dargan Island. In 1849, this was renamed Queen's Island in honour of Queen Victoria. Some 30 years later (circa 1880), the Engine Works were set up at the entrance to the Docks at Queen's Road. 1902 brought the order to build the largest graving dock of its time - the 880 foot long Thompson Dry Dock.

Construction work commenced on the dock in 1904. It was originally envisaged that the work would take about 3 ½ years, but as a result of unforeseen circumstances, the time span was nearly doubled. One of the main reasons for the delay was the subsidence of the adjacent Alexandra Dry Dock, which collapsed on 4th October 1905 as excavation work was being carried out on the Thompson Dock. Historical records indicate that Alexandra Dock had to be closed for nearly 2 years to allow the necessary repairs to be carried out. As a consequence, this increased the time taken to complete the Thompson Dock.

Up to 500 men were employed in the construction of the 'new' Graving Dock with over 300,000 cubic yards of sand and clay having to be excavated to accommodate the new structure, called a caisson, which is carried on two rows of heavy rollers. It can be moved quickly and efficiently on these rollers. The whole structure can occupy two closure positions - one inside and one outside the Dock. With the caisson housed on the outside, the length of the Dock is increased by 37 ½ feet.

This latter gate position was needed to accommodate the outfitting of the exceptionally large Titanic in 1911. The river opposite the new fitting out wharf, adjacent to the Dry Dock, and the approaches to the graving sock itself were dredged to a depth of 32 feet (approx 10m) around the time of construction. The height of the dock wall from floor to existing ground level is in excess of 13m.

The Thompson Dock is owned by Belfast Harbour Commissioners, who had responsibility for its upkeep and hold records of its construction. Until 2002, it was in use for ship repair by Harland & Wolff. It is now leased to NISP as a scheduled monument.

 

Acknowledgements

The Northern Ireland Science Park wishes to thank the Central Procurement Directorate for their contributions to the Industrial Heritage section, compiled in its October 2002 report on the condition of the Thompson Dock and Pumphouse.