The Quay, Poole
Poole was an important centre for trade until the arrival of the railways in the 19th century. Here, sailing ships are docked at the quay alongside warehouses. Ships from Europe and the Channel Islands berthed along the Quay in the 16th Century. Their cargo consisted of wine, fruit, oil, and canvas. The ships took on board beer, lead, woollen cloth and tin. The Bailiff collected the tolls from each ship and supervised the weighing at the town beam. He recorded the amount due at the Custom House. Poole was also one of the countries most important fishing ports with boats from the town voyaging all the way to the Grand Banks and Newfoundland for cod.
