 The considerable tidal range and muddy banks made the wharves inconvenient, and as trade grew, the Town Dock was opened in 1842.It was extended to the north in 1858, and trade increased further.The Alexandra (Newport) Dock Company was established and a large dock of the same name was opened in 1875, followed by the South Dock in 1893, which was greatly extended in 1907 and 1914.