Pile Worker?

[rocala]

My ancestor lived in Limehouse, East London. His daughter's 1866 marriage cert gives his occupation as "Pile Worker".

I have found a modern day U.S. job description which states; " a variety of manual work in the repair and construction of piers, wharves and related substructures."

I would like to know if the job description would be the same for Victorian London. If so any info about this type of work would be welcome.

[stanmapstone]

From A Dictionary of Occupational Terms

[purlin]

I would say yes, the early docks would be constructed in that manner.  check out https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols43-4/pp593-600.  and https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/Documents/Planning-and-building-control/Development-control/Conservation-areas/Wapping-PierheadV2.pdf

there's a section here on Limehouse Docks. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols43-4/pp268-281

[rocala]

stanmapstone, purlin, thank you both.