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Shallow Crossings
The River Thames has been a wide and shallow river for most of its history with a muddy river bed and banks. Fords occurred where gravel was the substrate and the river was slow moving. Oxford and Wallingford are just two of the many towns that probably gained their names from their fords. The original London Bridge built by the Romans was probably on the site of an old ford, since the gravel would provide a strong base for the pilings.
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Duxford |
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Increasing depth
Over the centuries the average depth of the river slowly increased as the river was dammed to provide a head of water for mills, and to enable barges to carry heavier cargoes. Fords still existed, but ferries became more common.
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Bablock Hythe Ferry |
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Hidden dangers
Small ferries were no more than punts or wherries carrying mainly passengers. Large ferries were capable of transporting livestock, carts and coaches. Ropes or chains were used to haul the large raft like vessels across the river, and prevent them from drifting downstream. When not in use, the ropes floated, or lay on the river bed, and were often a hazard to passing barges.
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A pub close by
On market days and at other busy times, there were often queues for the ferry. It is therefore not surprising that many fords and ferries had a pub nearby. Bridges replaced most ferries in the 19th century, but the pubs were by then well established.
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Beetle and Wedge, Moulsford |
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Introduction
Fords and ferries
