The Union-Castle Line Passenger / Cargo Terminal

Berth 102, Southampton Western Docks

Since 1892, Southampton Docks have been owned by the railways. The docks were first owned by the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) from 1892 until the grouping in 1923. During this period the Eastern Docks (Old Docks) were created in 1911. After the grouping in 1923 the docks came under the ownership of the Southern Railway until nationalisation in 1948. During this period from 1927 to 1934 the Western Docks (New Docks) were completed. In 1933 the huge King George V dry dock was built to cater for the new giant Cunarders – Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. Since 1948 the docks have been owned by the British Transport Commission. Finally in 1983 when the ancillary services of the railways were privatised the docks then passed to their current owner, Associated British Ports (ABP). These mighty docks have always been constantly developing and improving to keep pace with technology and changing trends so that they can keep ahead of the game. During the heyday of the ocean liner Southampton was from the 1930s onwards proclaimed as “The Gateway to the World” and soon became Britain’s premier ocean passenger port. Since the decline of the ocean liner the port has found a new role as a premier container shipping port and today in the 21^st century as Britain’s premier cruise port catering for some of the largest cruise ships in the world.

During the Second World War, Southampton was heavily bombed and many of its facilities were destroyed or damaged. After the end of the war, the Southern Railway embarked on a massive programme of modernisation and reconstruction designed to provide the accommodation and facilities worthy of the national gateway the port was at that time. This work was continued on after nationalisation by the British Transport Commission.

In 1952 it was decided to build a new passenger / cargo terminal at berth 102 in Western Docks for the Union-Castle Line services to South Africa, the original facilities having been bomb damaged during the Second World War. The new two storey building had a passenger waiting hall at the eastern end of the ground floor with cargo space for perishable goods (mainly wine) at the western side. The Immigration Room was also located on the ground floor next to the passenger waiting hall. The whole of the upper floor was used for storage of wool and other baled cargoes. The building was officially opened by His Excellency Mr G.P. Jooste, the High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa on the 25^th January 1956.

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Sadly the building has now been demolished in recent years to make room for further cargo facilities. However in August 2003 a former cargo shed at berth 101 has been converted into Southampton’s third cruise terminal: the City Cruise Terminal. This facility includes 12 check-in desks, a baggage area, and a lounge for 320 passengers as well as a dedicated long-term car park.  The new cruise facility was officially opened on the 14^th August 2003 by Mrs Mary Fagan, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire.

Photo: The passengers arrive at the terminal from London on board the Union-Castle Express boat train service.

Photo: The plaque commemorating the opening ceremony

Photo: The passengers enter the building

Photo: The passenger reception hall

Photo: Reception Desk

Photo: Bookstall and the two entrance doors to the railway platform

Photo: Display Cabinets

Photo: On the wall of the passenger waiting hall was a mural painted by John Hutton. The mural was based on a 16th century poem "The Lusiads" by Portuguese poet Camoens. It tells the story of the voyage of Vasco Da Gama round the Cape of Good Hope to India in 1497.

Photo: The Immigration Room

Photo: Goods warehouse section of the terminal

Photo: The Exterior of the terminal building

Photo: RMS Edinburgh Castle berthed alongside the terminal

Photo: RMS Edinburgh Castle berthed alongside the terminal