Port of London. 19th-century artwork of ships and buildings in the Port of London on the River Thames. This is the original port area, known as the Pool of London, east of London Bridge. It expanded during the 19th century to become the largest port in the world, part of the worldwide trade of the British Empire, with countless goods and merchants passing through London's Custom House (centre left). Further along the north bank of the Thames is the Tower of London (centre). Tower Bridge has not yet been built. Artwork from 'The ports, harbours, watering-places, and coast scenery of Great Britain' (1842), illustrated by William Henry Bartlett (1809-1854).