Millwall Docks on New Year's Eve

When the London Docks were open, every New Year's Eve the local streets would echo with the sound of ship's horns once midnight struck. Most of the images at the start of the clip were taken by Millwall historian Peter Wright, followed by images of the Millwall & West India Docks in their heyday. Both docks had closed by 1980. The final image is of two docker's hooks, belonging to father & son Millwall Dock stevedores, Frank & Connie Maloney.

[@eastlondonpostcard]

WoW! Many thanks for the memories ... remembered so vividly well!

[@ConMaloney]

My pleasure!

[@emmajane2560]

My nan and grandad lived in Coldharbour. I remember the tug boats sounding their horns.

[@davidhuxtable1553]

I remember it well, even living in Manor Park!

[@ConMaloney]

A sound once heard, never forgotten!

[@pinkyman5155]

Brilliant memories of when I was a kid !

[@jasonrushton5991]

Brilliantly put together.

[@ConMaloney]

Thanks, Jason.

[@jasonrushton5991]

@@ConMaloney Not at all Con fella, from a Essex Hammer, with Isle Of Dog's Millwall Family.

[@viewfromear]

Yup. In the late 60s I recall this incredible, eerie and evocative sound drifting up over Woolwich - sadly missed!

[@jeffdaley6552]

remember it so well we all used to go outside to listen to them on the island

[@stevefarmer15]

What memories this brings back. It just hasn't been the same without those horns.
Cheers Con.

[@ConMaloney]

+Steve Farmer - the soundtrack of our youth.

[@paulcatlin933]

I lived at 49 Alpha Grove from 1955-1964 with the West India docks overlooking the bottom of our garden and remember well that moment in time when the ships horns heralded the Old Year out, and the New Year in.

[@London1064]

Great video.

[@ConMaloney]

Thank you.

[@ritadove7708]

That's what I remember not the fireworks of today

[@deniserayner1026]

Thank you for posting this. Wonderful sound of all the boats acknowledging the New Year. Makes me feel so nostalgic! I worked in Limehouse for many years, having been born in Hackney and living in Clapton.

[@ConMaloney]

Denise Rayner - thanks, it’s a sound we all loved and miss!

[@charlesbrookman7014]

cheers con for the great pictures and how well i remember that once a year , thanks again

[@ConMaloney]

Cheers, Charlie!

[@alexmarshall4331]

Takes me back...but it was a dirty..smoggy..hard life...don't miss it👍❤

[@speedozx10]

wonderful audio clip, thankyou for that. Except to east Londoners it was Old Year's Night

[@ConMaloney]

+speedozx10 - thanks, all the best for 2016!

[@sorentoman1]

Remember this very clearly, that and the neighbours coming out banging dustbin lids, pots and pans, car horns and shouts of Happy New Year. We could see the ships' funnels passing down river beyond the gas works from Wolsey Avenue too. Hardly seems possible now.