Execution Dock

By Crusader1307

Built along The River Thames in London, England – the local called “Execution Dock” served as the primary “end” to many captured and tried Pirates and Smugglers for nearly 400 years. The strip of shoreline along The River featured wooden scaffolds and Gibbet Poles, upon which – Pirates were executed (hence the term “Dock” from the massive wooden structures often left in place for further use). The “Dock” was easily seen by Ships passing by and was seen as a way of warning those who sought a life of Piracy (that The “Dock” was their ultimate end). The Dock was administered by The British Admiralty, who controlled the capture, trial and eventual punishment of Pirates. Bodies of the executed were often left to rot in the open or be subjected to tidal waters. In this case, Ocean life (crabs, etc) would “feast” on the corpses.

Normally, Pirates and related criminals were incarcerated at Mashalsea and Newgate Prisons. The condemned were paraded through the streets of London and taken to The Execution Dock. Normally, these unfortunates were chained to Ox Carts. Executions (hangings) were done by paid Executioners. In most cases, death was slow – made so by shorted ropes and the lack of an adequate “drop” to snap one's neck instantly. Some were locked into steel Gibbets and lowered partially into The River – only to await the rise in tide to slowly drown or to be eaten by Sea life. With the last official execution held in 1830, The Execution Docks were abandoned. With time, the exact location became muddled. Many Historians cite it's location as the current location of London's Overground Train Station (near Swan Wharf).