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1. STATISTICS AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
OF THE AREA
General Information
The Metropolitan Borough of Stepney is bounded on the west side by
the City of London, on the east by the borough of Poplar, on the north
by the boroughs of Shoreditch and Bethnal Green and on the south by the
River Thames, the river boundary being some 2.39 miles in length.
The Borough is roughly rectangular in shape, the length being 2.3
miles, the breadth varying from 1-1½ miles and contains approximately
83 miles of streets. The area of the borough is 1,902 acres and of
this the river accounts for 136 acres and inland waters consisting of
docks and canals cover 75 acres.
Dark blue London Clay is found under the whole Borough at a depth
of between 20-30 feet from the surface. Above this level are layers
and patches of gravel and sand, brown and yellow clays being found nearer
the surface. In some parts of the borough there are layers of "made"
ground, the result of earlier habitation, and as is to be expected the
flow of subsoil water is towards the river.
The area is to a large extent industrial in character, factory
premises being spread throughout the Borough but tending to be concentrated
towards the western end, with docks and wharves stretching along
the whole of the river front which forms the southern boundary.
The chief industry of the Borough is the manufacture of clothing of
all kinds, and it is estimated that one-third of the tailoring industry
of London is carried on in Stepney. Other major industries includebrewing,
engineering, and the manufacture of furniture. Stepney is
also one of the most important wholesaling districts in London. The
Spitalfields Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market and the London Fruit
Exchange are situated in the Borough. Notable landmarks in the borough
include the Tower of London and the Royal Mint.
Fifty Years Ago
The Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year
1912 contains the following information;
The estimated population was 277,315 and, the birth-rate was reported
to be 30.9.
The death rate (uncorrected) was 15.3 per 1,000 population and the
infant mortality rate 110 per 1,000 births. Among the causes of deaths
reported were; Tuberculosis 538, Diarrhoea and enteritis 178, Measles
172, Cancer 232, Premature Births 1840., Whooping Cough 90, Alcoholism 34,
Diphtheria 25 and Scarlet Fever 14.
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