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From 1829 to 1968, ships could sail from the River Humber through Humber Dock and into Princes Fock. This was a vibrant maritime hub, where thousands of people from Hull lived and worked. 

Originally known as Junction Dock, Princes Dock opened in 1829 and provided extra space for ships coming into Hull. Its name came from the fact that the dock linked Humber Dock in the south to Queen's Dock in the north. This effectively turn Hull Old Town into an island, surrounded by Hull's docks and rivers. 

This drawing from the Hull Museums Collections by F S Smith depicts Princes Dock in the 1880s. The domes of the Hull Maritime Museum, then the Dock Offices are still visible in the distance.

By the 1800s, Hull's maritime industries were booming and had grown too large for the existing docks in the city. 

The photograph is from Hull Museums Collections. It shows Princes Dock, looking north, during the econd World War.

Clues to this area's important maritime past are still visible around Prices Dock. Along Princes Dock Street there are still a number of historic warehouse and other buildings where goods were stored and sold. Looking north, the domes of the Hull Maritime Museum remain a key landmark of the city today.