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
1 memorial
Kew Gardens Station Footbridge
Grade II listed, thsi bridge is a very early example of the use of reinforced concrete in Britain. Built in the age of steam, it still carries the deflectors and very high parapets which channelled...
1 memorial
Barry Mason
Cycling activist. He was known for supporting community and environmental projects in Southwark. For a time he managed school building projects for Southwark Council, before becoming manager of Sur...
1 memorial
Phineas Pett
Master Shipwright. Born at Deptford Strond (a parish in Deptford). First Resident Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard, he designed and built several ships including the 'Prince Royal' which he built i...
3 memorials
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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...
6 memorials
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