From the earliest days until the mid-18th century the Thames was the preferred route for travelling east-west across London, and a barrier which had to be crossed by boat to travel north-south. By boat, because the roads were very poor and there was only one bridge. In 1510 Henry VIII set up a licencing system for watermen, or wherrymen, and in 1555 the watermen were incorporated to control tariffs and impose safety regulations. In 1700 the watermen joined forces with the lightermen (who carried cargo rather than passengers) to form the Company of Watermen and Lightermen. See also Doggett's Coat and Badge.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Thames watermen
Commemorated ati
wherrymen seat
{On the modern plaque above:} The Ferryman's seat located on previous buildin...
Other Subjects
Charing Cross Station - renovation
The original station was built on the site of Hungerford Market and opened in 1864. Londonist's post about the 1905 roof collapse has some fine photos and drawings. The post-modern office building...
Network Rail
Government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain. It superseded Railtrack P.L.C.
first gas-lit street in the world
The first public street lighting with gas was demonstrated in Pall Mall by Frederick Winsor in 1807. In January he lit the street and in June he put on a special gas-lit exhibition here, celebrati...
Transport Trust
The Transport Trust is a charitable institution that aims to increase and channel support for transport preservation, acting as the hub of the transport preservation movement. More about their pla...
Bank underground station
London Underground station. It has a very complicated layout with many exits/entrances. It is served by the Central, Northern and Waterloo & City lines, as well as the Docklands Light Railway. ...