2-854-184 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Captain W. R. Crouch, Dockmaster at Tilbury Docks, directing operations in the lock as the cooling water intake caisson for Coryton Oil Refinery begins its journey down the Thames. This image was published in the April 1952 edition of Laing's monthly newsletter, Team Spirit. During the Second World War, John Laing & Son Ltd had built some of the floating caissons for the Mulberry harbour which were used in the D-day landings. This 4,200 ton concrete water intake caisson was built along the lines of the Mulberry harbour and was towed 8 miles down the Thames from Tilbury Dock to be installed as part of Coryton Oil Refinery in March 1952. It was built between 1951 and 1952.