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A restored warehouse in Wapping

Walk down Elephant Lane, past the Ship pub, where you can get excellent views across to Wapping. As you look towards Wapping there is much evidence of the warehouses and docks that once thrived in this area. Tea, coffee, sugar, rum, spices, silks, furs and tobacco were just some of the cargoes brought into Wapping during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The site of Execution Dock

Pirates and thieves also flourished. Pirates would ambush ships coming into the area and also steal outgoing cargoes. If you look opposite you can see the Captain Kidd pub, named after the famous pirate executed at Execution Dock in 1701. Execution Dock was located by the Thames near to this pub and dealt with convicted pirates for over 400 years. Pirates who operated on the seas and abroad would also be tried back in London.

The gallows were located by the Thames so that the tide could wash over the body three times. More notorious pirates, including Kidd, were left to hang in a gibbet, a type of metal cage, to deter other would be criminals.

The Marine Support Unit

You will also see the headquarters of The Marine Support Unit (MSU), at Wapping Police Station on the River Thames (cream and white building) founded in 1798. To your left you can see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and other London landmarks.