Aberdeen harbour's history can be traced back to a charter granted by King David I in 1136. James VI granted a further charter to the City in 1596, which allowed the Burgh to raise a levy on all ships and their cargoes at the harbour.
The harbour was controlled by the Council and its Magistrates until reform under the 1829 Aberdeen Harbour Act, which expanded the membership of the Harbour Trustees to include five Burgesses of Guild and one member of Incorporated Trades. The Harbour was then overseen by a Committee made up of nine councillors and six outside members, to ensure representation of Harbour users.
The 1843 Aberdeen Harbour Act vested the property of the harbour in a new Commission consisting of magistrates, councillors, nine Burgess of Guild and three members of Incorporated Trades.
The Aberdeen Harbour Act of 1868 modified the constitution of the Commission: 12 elected Commissioners were introduced, who acted with the Lord Provost, 6 Baillies, the Dean of Guild and 11 Councillors.
A Port Emergency Committee was set up 1936 and operated throughout the Second World War.
In 1960 the Aberdeen Harbour Confirmation Act modernised the constitution, replacing the Commission with a smaller Board: the Board was made up of two members of the Chamber of Commerce, two from the Scottish Trade Union Congress, four from Aberdeen Corporation and seven elected by Harbour users, burgesses and Incorporated Trades. In 2022 the Harbour was renamed the Port of Aberdeen to encompass the new south harbour.
In the early 1800s the harbour was an important shipbuilding centre with seven shipyards; they specialised in steam trawlers and fishing liners. As well as shipbuilding, one of the most important trades in the harbour was salmon and this is reflected in the records. In 1871 the harbour commissioners purchased salmon fishing rights from organisations such as Raik and Stell which allowed them to develop a profitable business. The harbour was an important centre for fishing vessels.
During the First World War imports and exports fell dramatically due to frequent U-boat attacks and it took until 1936 to return to normal operations. Unfortunately, they were again halted by the start of the Second World War. As with many other ports in the UK, Aberdeen was a major target and 49 bombs were recording hitting the area during the period. This sustained level of disruption effected the Harbour operations and required major infrastructure works. The post-war period saw the redevelopment of the harbour for the growing North Sea oil and gas industry.
Harbour Engineering
In the 1770s and 1780s John Smeaton was consulted as an engineer on the harbour and was responsible for the construction of the first section of the North Pier. In the 1800s the notable engineer Thomas Telford was consulted on improvements at the Harbour, proposing an extension to the North Pier and the construction of a South Breakwater, graving (dry) docks and wet docks. Some of this work was facilitated by the 1810 Harbour Act.
In the 19th century works were undertaken to widen and deepen the harbour, with additional quays, locks and cargo sheds. Perhaps the most significant undertaking was the diversion of the River Dee to the south. In 1851 a main line rail terminus was established adjacent to the harbour. A Fish Market on Albert Quay opened in 1889. In the 20th century quays and sheds were widened and rebuilt, and powerful new cranes installed.
Harbour Engineers:
John Gibb
William Dyce Cay
William Smith
Robert Gordon Nicol
James Petrie
