[Picture: The Custom House]
Adjoining Billingsgate stands the New Custom House, which is the office
where the duties are collected on goods exported or imported. The
building is situated in Lower Thames-street, fronting the river,
occupying an immense space of ground. The dimensions of it are upwards
of 480 feet long, by 107 feet wide. The first stone was laid on the 25th
of October, 1813, being the 53d anniversary of king George the Third’s
accession; and it was opened for public business on the 12th of May,
1817.
The long room is of extraordinary size, being 190 feet long, by 66 wide,
and proportionably high. This is the principal place for all foreign
business.
The former Custom House having been burnt down, precautions have been
taken to prevent the recurrence of a similar accident in the new
building; and fire-proof rooms are provided on each floor, where the
books and papers are deposited every evening.