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
Sir Patrick Abercrombie
Pioneer of town and country planning, Leslie Patrick Abercrombie was born near Manchester. Abercrombie was an academic during most of his career, and prepared one city plan and several regional st...
1 memorial
Nine Elms Motive Power
This depot was responsible for the locomotives working out of Waterloo. Locomotive, carriage and wagon workshops were built in 1839 in Vauxhall at the end of Nine Elms Lane. Rebuilt following an 18...
2 memorials
Kilburn Bridge
The ever-useful Underground Map gives "Kilburn Bridge once marked the spot where the Edgware Road crossed the River Westbourne. Kilburn Bridge, which was recorded in 1398 and thought to have been b...
1 memorial
Christopher Jones
Sailor. Born Harwich, Essex (His birth year is approximate). He moved to Rotherhithe in London and became master of the Mayflower from at least 1609. The ship was usually employed in transporting g...
2 memorials
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Charles Dickens
Born, son of Elizabeth and John Dickens, at No.1 Mile End Terrace, Landport, Portsmouth (where there is a museum). For a map showing many of his London addresses see Londonist. His family were so p...
50 memorials
Frederick Mitchell
Auxiliary Fireman - one of two men (with L. W. G. Wilson) who gave their lives at Soho Fire Station on 7th October 1940. Beyond the Flames has another photo and: "It would take two days before the...
War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
William Wymark Jacobs
Author. Born in Wapping. He worked in the civil service before taking up writing. Wrote mainly collections of short stories. One of them, 'The Lady of the Barge', included his best known work, 'The...
1 memorial
William Willett
Property developer. Born Farnham. Died at home in Chislehurst. Conceived the idea of Daylight Saving in 1905 and lobbied for it until his death. It was taken up by Parliament but failed to beco...
2 memorials
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