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Port of London Authority
In 1909, the Port of London Authority, which still exists today, was formed to 'administer, preserve and improve' the Port of London, with responsibilities stretching from the estuary to Teddington. It took over the licensing of watermen and lightermen, and established its own specialised police force.
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Tower Bridge |
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"La Marguerite" leaving Tilbury |
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From the Tower to Palermo
In the Edwardian period it was still possible to travel abroad by ship from ports close to the heart of London. The General Steam Navigation Company used to operate from a site close to the Tower of London. Destinations included northern points such as Hamburg, most of the channel ports such as Amsterdam, Ostend and Boulogne, and also Mediterranean stops such as Naples, Messina and Palermo.
Passengers about to embark were directed to Irongate and St. Katharine's Wharf, where the Company's steamers started from, or a steam tender conveyed passengers and their luggage from the wharf to the ship free of charge. The last tenders used to leave the wharf only ten minutes before the advertised time of sailing of the ships.
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Introduction
Port of London
