Prospect of Whitby, Wapping 1968

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures the historic waterfront of Wapping in 1968, featuring the iconic Prospect of Whitby pub. The white-facaded building, famous for its maritime history and association with pirates, stands prominently on the riverbank under a “MANN’S” brewery sign. The scene shows the pub in its true docklands context, immediately adjacent to the Pelican Stairs and the towering brick structure of the London Hydraulic Power Company’s pumping station. In the foreground, a motor cruiser cuts through the choppy waters of the River Thames, leaving a white wake. The skyline reflects the heavy industry of the late sixties, with numerous dockside cranes and warehouses that would soon be closed or converted as the London Docks ceased operations in 1969. To the right, the steeple of St. Paul’s Church, Shadwell, rises above the rooftops against a vibrant blue sky filled with dramatic white clouds. This digital download is a beautiful record of London’s changing docklands before modern redevelopment, perfect to print for yourself as a piece of vintage maritime wall art.