ABSTRACT
In the historical literature Hull dockers appear only spasmodically in specific studies of trade unions, of leaders, of historical conjunctures, and of themes. 'The complex and fragmented business structure of the British port transport industry' which contributed to this problem was well reflected in Hull-there were still 90 separate employers on the Hull docks in the 1960s. The primary sources for the history of Hull dockers are limited. From 1861 to 1911 maritime workers on the docks, ships and fishing smacks made up something like 20 per cent of the total male workforce. In general war markedly improved the position of dockers on the labour market, giving them greater bargaining power and higher wages. The dock labour force of Hull was drawn increasingly from outside the city as the growth of the port speeded up from the 1850s and 1860s.
