When does a quay, or for that matter a wharf, become a dock, and what is the difference between a dock and a harbour..?
A quay and a wharf are pretty much the same thing, being somewhere alongside the water that ships or boats can tie up to load and unload. A dock however is slightly different, in that it’s the entire area can be closed off from access either by sea gates or by locks to retain water at low tide for mooring ships to exchange cargo or passengers or undergo repairs.
Whilst a dock is a bit like a harbour, however technically a harbour lacks any gates but may have and often have a narrow entrance to give safer protection from the sea.
If you are wondering when a quay becomes a dock, Canute Road Quay will be actually appearing within a dock… at the Chatham and District Model Railway Club’s exhibition, taking place, in a little over a weeks time, over the weekend of 20-21st July, a show that is returning to both the exhibition calendar and also back to The Historic Dockyard Chatham, with the show being held in one of the immense and impressive covered slips.
With nearly 50 layouts and over 30 traders, including Kernow Model rail Centre, it will be an exhibition well worth visiting.
The show is open Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm. Ticket Prices, available Online here, are £10 on the day or £9 in Advance, also allowing entry 30 mins early at 9.30am each day.
To get to The Historic Dockyard Chatham the postcode is ME4 4TZ, Follow the brown anchor sign from the A2/M2. Parking is available at the Historic Dockyard Chatham and also at the adjacent Dockside Outlet Centre (charges apply). For public transport options see here.
If you do attend the show please drop by Canute Road Quay and say hello!