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Wharf

A wharf (plural wharfs, or (especially in American English) wharves, collectively wharfing or wharfage) is a fixed platform, commonly on pilings, roughly parallel to and alongside navigable water, where ships are loaded and unloaded. A pier extends perpendicularly to the shore.

Related terms dock -- harbor -- marina -- pier -- drydock -- floating dock -- berth.

Well known wharves

• Canary Wharf, London, England, part of the London Docklands and now redeveloped into commercial space which contains the three tallest buildings in Britain.
• Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, USA, now redeveloped into a tourist area with stores and restaurants instead of serving its maritime purpose.

• Derby (1762), Hatch's (1819) and Central (1791) Wharves in Salem, Massachusetts are the last of the 50 wharves which lined Salem harbor. They are part of the , the only remaining intact waterfront from the US age of sail. In 1790, Salem was the sixth largest city in the country.