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I. STATISTICS AMD 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 l-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 concentrate
in 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 include brewing,
engineering and the manufacture of furniture. Stepney is also one of the
most important wholesaling districts in London. 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 1913
contains the following information:
The estimated population was 275,300 and the birth-rate was reported
to be 29.6.
The death rate (uncorrected) was 15.1 per thousand population and the
infant mortality rate 112 per thousand births. Among the causes of death
reported were; Tuberculosis 572, diarrhoea and enteritis 305, cancer 236,
measles 95, premature births 121, whooping cough 26, diphtheria 21, scarlet
fever 7, alcoholism 30 and appendicitis 23.
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