Aside from the Thames River Police and patrolmen from Tower Hamlets, the only person who could make them reconcile was the dockworker foreman who came to recruit workers.
As soon as the foreman appeared, chaos would break out on the docks, and soon thereafter, countless hands would shoot up into the air vying for his attention.
Everyone knew that with just a nod from this gentleman, work opportunities could follow.
Some would climb onto others' backs to stand above the rest, attracting the foreman's eye, and everyone would shout loudly in competition.
After the foreman selected enough workers, many who were not chosen would still linger in the waiting area, holding out hope for a ship delayed by the tide, which would then give them a chance to work as porters.
Despite the fierce competition among hundreds for six or seven job slots, the payment offered was merely 4 to 5 pennies per hour.
