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West India Docks cover 295 acres, and lie between Limehouse and Blackwall, on the left bank of the Thames. The first stone was laid by William Pitt, July 12th, 1800, and the docks opened for business Aug. 21st, 1802. The northern, or Import Dock, is 170 yards long by 166 wide, and the southern, or Export Dock, 170 yards long by 135 yards wide. South of the Export Dock is a canal nearly three-quarters of a mile long, cutting off the great bend of the river connecting Limehouse Reach with Blackwall Reach, and forming the northern boundary of the Isle of Dogs. The two docks, with their warehouses, are enclosed by a lofty wall five feet in thickness. Though they retain their old name they belong to the East and West India Dock Company, and are used by every kind of shipping. The office of the Company is at No. 8, Billiter-square; and the best way of reaching the docks is by the Blackwall Railway.

Source: A Handbook for London, Past and Present. Peter Cunningham. Published by John Murray 1849.