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The Maria Wood Pub |
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Maria Wood
On the banks of the river at Strand-on-the-Green stands a pub originally named the Navigators Arms, with a history going back to the 1480's. It was renamed the Maria Wood in the 19th century, taking its name from the last of the city barges owned by the Corporation of London.
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A massive and highly ornate steamboat built in 1816 at a cost of £5,300, she had been named after the daughter of the Lord Mayor of London.
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The Maria Wood |
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Syon House and City Barge |
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The Maria Wood spent her summers berthed at Strand-on-the-Green, supported by her own dock and bargehouse. Her winter quarters were the old barge house at Lambeth. It took eight horses to tow her upstream, but only three, downstream.
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In 1851, she was reported to be in an extremely dangerous state below the waterline. In 1857, the newly formed Thames Conservancy took over the management of the river from the City of London. A decision was taken to sell her in 1859, and she slowly fell into further disrepair. The Middlesex Chronicle reported it being driven onto pilings by strong winds and tides in 1882, The editor of the Isleworth Citizen reported seeing its figurehead on a lawn in 1924, a sad end to a beautiful boat.
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Maria Wood |
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Introduction
The Maria Wood
