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Lightermen
Lightermen have transported cargo on the river Thames for hundreds of years. Sea-going ships had to moor in mid-stream until the opening of the West India docks in 1802. Lightermen would be responsible for transporting the goods between the ships and the shore. Lighters were open boats with large oars, which were really powered by the ebb and flow of the tide, but in later years were pulled by tugs.
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St Pauls from across the Thames |
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Lightermans Licence - Joseph John Taylor |
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In 1555 the Company of Watermen and Lightermen was formed and controlled by Act of Parliament, to license Lightermen, and to manage apprenticeships. Lightermen were forbidden from carrying passengers, which was handled by Watermen.
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Bargees
The sails of barges could also be seen travelling the Thames. These differed from lighters in that they used wind power. Cargo might be travelling downstream by western barge from Newbury or Reading, or upstream from the estuary and the English Channel in the larger and stronger barges often referred to as Hoys.
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Barges at Putney Embankment |
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Introduction
Lightermen
