Blackwoods Screw Dock
Blackwoods Screw Dock
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
17 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
4
Average
4
Poor
2
Terrible
1
rayrest
Fenton, UK7,481 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Located on pierhead in Bridgetown is Blackwoods screw dock that dates back to Victorian times and the area has had some rejuvenation work carried out. There is a museum and also a bar serving drinks but not food.
Written June 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Nottingham, UK776 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Friends of ours told us to visit Screw Dock for a drink as we always drank on the waterfront when in Bridgetown. When we arrived the place was closed and it looked as if it had been closed for sometime. There was no explanation to say why it was closed.
Written April 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy B
Barbados31 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
As a tour guide on the island, i do regular tours to this location. As a local i know there's lots of rich history to this place & it's a joy sharing that information with visitors. But, the issue is, we take lots of persons here and they always expect so much more. Yes there is a bar available, but it's just pretty disappointing that the one guy that works the bar also has to do the tour of location when visitors arrive. This is unfortunate in the fact that he is sometimes occupied with a group, while others who are waiting to be served at the bar have to be waiting in vain. More persons need to be employed here. It's a no-brainer. I also recommend that instead of just serving juices & alcohol here, little bites & snackables like pastries & local finger foods should be made available.
Seeing this place is one of the only types of it's kind left in the world, the government has allowed it to become way too run-down & more activities need to be organized to make visitors feel involved when they arrive. Also, it is not wheel-chair accessible.
Other than this, the surrounding views of Bridgetown are picture perfect!
Seeing this place is one of the only types of it's kind left in the world, the government has allowed it to become way too run-down & more activities need to be organized to make visitors feel involved when they arrive. Also, it is not wheel-chair accessible.
Other than this, the surrounding views of Bridgetown are picture perfect!
Written October 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_bajanrose_9
Bridgetown, Barbados63 contributions
Nov 2016
The Screw Dock was built between 1887 and 1893. The Bridgetown Dry Dock was built in 1887, with Victorian engineering. The actual Screw Lifting Dock started construction in 1889 and was completed in 1893. It had a lifting capacity of 1,200 tons, measuring 240ft in length with a 46ft beam and a 13ft shaft. It also operated on steam, but later converted to electricity. It could handle vessels drawing not more than 14 ft of water.
Ships came into the Bridgetown Careenage and had their vessels lifted out of the water for repairs and to be cleaned in the dock. The boats were turned on their sides, so the bottoms could be scraped, caulked and painted. The dock was also used by the British Navy for boat repairs during World War II.
The dock yard finally closed in 1985. The Bridgetown Screw Dock is the only dry dock of its kind known to exist in the world.
Take a walk through history as you enter our Historical Maritime Centre featuring interesting artefacts, displays and photos of Barbados from the 19th and 20th centuries. Then enjoy a cold refreshing drink from our bar and delicious local fare at Blackwoods Tavern.
Ships came into the Bridgetown Careenage and had their vessels lifted out of the water for repairs and to be cleaned in the dock. The boats were turned on their sides, so the bottoms could be scraped, caulked and painted. The dock was also used by the British Navy for boat repairs during World War II.
The dock yard finally closed in 1985. The Bridgetown Screw Dock is the only dry dock of its kind known to exist in the world.
Take a walk through history as you enter our Historical Maritime Centre featuring interesting artefacts, displays and photos of Barbados from the 19th and 20th centuries. Then enjoy a cold refreshing drink from our bar and delicious local fare at Blackwoods Tavern.
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MimiA165
Broxbourne, UK425 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
A historic dry dock which has sadly fell into disrepair to lack of use. Once used by the British Navy during WWII and believed to be the only one of this kind in the world. Although disused, the area has been renovated with a marine museum that showcases the dock's history, a bar and restaurant. Whilst there, enjoy a rum punch or a walk along the beach a few yards away.
Written May 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris2006
London287 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
This is easy to find - just walk along the dock at Bridgetown past the bars and fishing boats. BUT there is now a high chain link fence surrounding the site, and access to view it and take photos is all but impossible. A cafe has opened exploiting the site, but this was closed when we visited, and again the chain link fence stopped us from viewing the site. A few years' ago there were rumoured to be plans to restore the site to working order. But much like everything else in Barbados these have fallen short to doing nothing, and the structure seems to have deteriorated since we saw it last in 2014. Publicity states that it is the only remaining Screw Dock in the world - so why is it being allowed to fall to pieces?
Written March 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken18
Liverpool, UK1,601 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
Unique piece of history near town centre behind the Creenage. Strange sight with information board explaining its context and method of operation to raise ships.
Written March 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George B
Aberdeen, UK1,548 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Blackwoods Screw Dock is a marvel of engineering built around 1893 which was able to lift ships our of the water for repair and refurbishmment. It has now largely rusted but you can still see the principles of operation. This enabled the engineers to carry out repairs under the waterline.
Nice little bar selling good range of drinks and small museum showing history of area.
Well worth a visit and the beach area is superb. Would be worth visiting for this alone.
Do not miss this little Gem during your visit to Barbados. 5* visit
Nice little bar selling good range of drinks and small museum showing history of area.
Well worth a visit and the beach area is superb. Would be worth visiting for this alone.
Do not miss this little Gem during your visit to Barbados. 5* visit
Written February 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlliecatOOB
Old Orchard Beach, ME428 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
The Blackwoods Screw Dock is definitely worth a visit. This Victorian-era marvel is the only one in the world, they say.
Written December 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DiscoverAndEnjoy
Comox, Canada404 contributions
Dec 2016
A fun place to stop for all mariners and engineers with a passion for the past. A relatively small historic site, but complete with a restuarant/bar to enjoy yourselfs after a short look around.
Written December 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingBlackwoods Screw Dock - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Blackwoods Screw Dock
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Blackwoods Screw Dock Information
Excellent Reviews | 6 |
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Very Good Reviews | 4 |
Blackwoods Screw Dock Photos | 14 |