![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMDIHGJQKZEJBGL6ZCXJM5PZOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=53a2b8e0f9b4dcf73ccb1b071c4fdcdc61e6a1cd6d9b3f41d2a7b7228e218064&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Creek in the 1960s. Note the other abras in the background
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZOK3FYOGQBCM7HHIEDYDA7EW3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba75bb1190f293f7a2d4b0c0d9daf1e8c052bf2898016e0b0aecabd36e523c39&width=400&height=225)
An aerial view of Dubai Creek in the early 1960s. Under the wing is Deira, across the water is Bur Dubai and to the right is Al Shindagha. All photos: David Riley © UAE National Library and Archives
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DWOHE3W66VHCZLKA2XHKHXYFMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=05ff6615421ccb24e2900da88127efbe219ae164438d66896b86815c5467a496&width=400&height=225)
An abra captain rows across Dubai Creek in the 1960s
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XWK4PMFKYVDMHBYP7MYY7DJWZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8d57591568c0c8b1e1f0650113dccb59c3a97fccd03773b3e8de05b669aaec7&width=400&height=225)
Travelling across Dubai Creek the traditional way. A Gray Mackenzie and Co barge, right, carried goods from ships offshore to customs on the quayside
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B5PMKCGVXRAGXCP637K4TPEF3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=41089878554c91a11d80a5f6e2112aa532cb958cdf1e63b5b969e8773e258244&width=400&height=225)
Goods for sale at a Dubai souq in the 1960s
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HORGSVZS2NGTRGQG2GFC6K5CEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=19dc81b1375ece6b5383bd1f654cad05a9e3014060a3f95f25fb9b652c0cf487&width=400&height=225)
Construction about to start on Dubai Creek, with a water tower and traditional buildings visible
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMDIHGJQKZEJBGL6ZCXJM5PZOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=53a2b8e0f9b4dcf73ccb1b071c4fdcdc61e6a1cd6d9b3f41d2a7b7228e218064&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Creek in the 1960s. Note the other abras in the background
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZOK3FYOGQBCM7HHIEDYDA7EW3Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=ba75bb1190f293f7a2d4b0c0d9daf1e8c052bf2898016e0b0aecabd36e523c39&width=400&height=225)
An aerial view of Dubai Creek in the early 1960s. Under the wing is Deira, across the water is Bur Dubai and to the right is Al Shindagha. All photos: David Riley © UAE National Library and Archives
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DWOHE3W66VHCZLKA2XHKHXYFMM.jpg?smart=true&auth=05ff6615421ccb24e2900da88127efbe219ae164438d66896b86815c5467a496&width=400&height=225)
An abra captain rows across Dubai Creek in the 1960s
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XWK4PMFKYVDMHBYP7MYY7DJWZE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d8d57591568c0c8b1e1f0650113dccb59c3a97fccd03773b3e8de05b669aaec7&width=400&height=225)
Travelling across Dubai Creek the traditional way. A Gray Mackenzie and Co barge, right, carried goods from ships offshore to customs on the quayside
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B5PMKCGVXRAGXCP637K4TPEF3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=41089878554c91a11d80a5f6e2112aa532cb958cdf1e63b5b969e8773e258244&width=400&height=225)
Goods for sale at a Dubai souq in the 1960s
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HORGSVZS2NGTRGQG2GFC6K5CEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=19dc81b1375ece6b5383bd1f654cad05a9e3014060a3f95f25fb9b652c0cf487&width=400&height=225)
Construction about to start on Dubai Creek, with a water tower and traditional buildings visible
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LMDIHGJQKZEJBGL6ZCXJM5PZOY.jpg?smart=true&auth=53a2b8e0f9b4dcf73ccb1b071c4fdcdc61e6a1cd6d9b3f41d2a7b7228e218064&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Creek in the 1960s. Note the other abras in the background
Old photos of Dubai Creek show a time long forgotten
As Dubai continues its dizzying pace of change, archive photos show how far it has come
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
13 January, 2024
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