Mulberry at Leith

Category

Library Item

Item no

37597

Title

Page from Leith Miscellany, volume VI, Mulberry at Leith

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1944

Type

Reproduction

The Mulberry harbours were two portable harbours, Mulberry A and Mulberry B, which were transported in sections to the coast of Normandy so that stores and reinforcements for the D-day landings in June 1944 could be offloaded onto the beaches. They were intended for use until a French port could be captured. Mulberry B was abandoned early due to storm damage but Mulberry A was used for ten months after D-day.

The majority of the construction work took place at Leith, on the shoreline between Western Harbour and the former Henry Robb & Co shipbuilding yards (where Ocean Terminal is now).

Shortage of skilled labour on the site was met by welding parts at Motherwell and Wishaw and transporting them to Leith. Steel units up to seven tons in weight were also prefabricated elsewhere and brought to Leith for construction.

After launching, the pierheads were towed to Newhaven for fitting-out at the fish quay there.

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Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing equipment > Cranes

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Shipyards

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Yards (Industrial)

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh