Dock Gate Man ?

[Mobo]

Can anyone tell me please, what the duties would have been of a Dock Gate Man and a Head Dock Gate Man on Liverpool Docks during the 1800's and early 1900's ?  Thanks.

[garstonite]

To check the dockers who worked that day were only the ones supposed to work - not all dockers worked every day - if there were not enough ships coming in / going out to load ,not all dockers were required .
each Docker had his own Tally and had his own number - he had to produce this to get his wages AND  the dockers were clocked in by the Gateman by their Number - not their name .
My grandad was the Dockgateman at Garston Dock ( Stalbridge ) from 1920 to 1959 - he also ensured unwanted visitors / thieves din't get onto the dock and made sure the dockers didn't get off the dock with any stolen goods
here is my Grandads Tally - number 85 ( hope it works )

[Mobo]

Thank you for that garstonite - very interesting, and love the photo.

[garstonite]

Do you know which Dock he worked on ?...for instance Canada Dock and Alexander Dock had railway lines that went straight across the dock road onto the actual Docks - taking Coal out of Liverpool and bringing Ffyfes Bananas into Liverpool - the banana trade was transferred to Garston after WW2 - where Tate and Lyle was the dock was mainly sugar and molasses...if you know which dock he worked  I might be able to tell you what the main cargo was - by the way - my grandad although he was the Dockgate man and responsible for no stealing from the dock , ALWAYS had plenty of drinks - Whisky / Rum / Gin / Port / Sherry at Xmas - I can guess where it came from ...lol