Group    From 1510 

Thames watermen

Categories: Transport

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.

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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...

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Other Subjects

Capt. W. Goodley, OBE, MC

Capt. W. Goodley, OBE, MC

Commissioner in the St John Ambulance Brigade, No. 1 District, 1921-1947. Knight Grace in the Order of St John. The Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 10 January 1947 carries an obituary: "Captain Will...

Person, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, Medicine, Politics & Administration, Transport

1 memorial
Chris Moyes

Chris Moyes

Born Shropshire.  As a student worked as a bus conductor then joined a bus company and worked his way up until he was Chief Executive of the Go Ahead bus company. Appointed OBE for services to tran...

Person, Politics & Administration, Transport

1 memorial
Discovery

Discovery

The smallest of the three ships which sailed in 1606 to found the Jamestown Settlement, captained by John Ratcliffe. She later took part in six expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage. Durin...

Vehicle, Transport, USA

1 memorial
Old Ford on River Lee

Old Ford on River Lee

This is, approximately, the area where the Greenway crosses the River Lea, E3.  In Roman times the ford was the most down-stream place where the River Lea could be crossed so it was an important po...

Place, Transport

2 memorials
Golden Jubilee Bridges

Golden Jubilee Bridges

Footbridges on either side of the Hungerford railway bridge. They replaced the single footbridge which was located on the downstream side of the bridge, and commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen ...

Place, Engineering, Transport

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Burlington House - da Vinci

Burlington House - da Vinci

W1, Piccadilly, Royal Academy

This building is commonly known as the Royal Academy (of Arts). The wings of the building are occupied by a number of learned societies, ...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Charlton House

Charlton House

Regarded as the best-preserved Jacobean house in Greater London. It was built by the crown to house Sir Adam Newton and his royal charge, Prince Henry, the son of King James I. The interior feature...

Building, Property, Royalty

1 memorial