DOCSLIB.ORG

Glossary an Explanation of 18 Terms Used on the River Thames Today

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Glossary an Explanation of 18 Terms Used on the River Thames Today Glossary An explanation of 18 terms used on the River Thames today Ait An ait is a small island in the Thames (pronounced Eight). This photo is of Ravens Ait at Kingston upon Thames. To reach the island people have to use a small ferry from Queens Promenade in Surbiton. ! Canal A canal is a man-made straight stretch of water, easier to navigate than a tidal river. Usually has locks to control the depth of the water and to allow boats to go up hills in stages. This photo is the canal at Limehouse. ! Downstream / Upstream Downstream is going down the Thames (Eastwards) towards the sea and upstream the opposite direction (Westwards) going up the River towards the (source) start of the Thames near ! Cirencester. This photo is of the Thames at Canary Wharf Estuary / mouth The Thames gets wider and wider as it gets nearer to the sea, like a mouth opening wider and wider. To the East of London on the North bank of the estuary is Essex and Kent is on the opposite side, South of the estuary. This photo is of Rainham Marshes, the eastern most part of London on ! the River Thames. The tall office blocks at Canary Wharfe can be seen in the distance. !1 Thames in London Glossary High Tide / Low Tide Downstream of Richmond Lock the River Thames is completely Tidal, the level of water rises and falls every day. It can be confusing when the tide is coming in as the water appears to flowing upstream (westwards) and downstream (eastwards) when the tide if going out. Parts of the river bed are revealed in some places at low tide, such as the old barge beds in this photo near London Bridge. ! Hithe or Hythe A hithe is a small inlet from the river, often used to allow more boats to be unloaded. This is Queenshithe, opposite the Tate Modern. Further downstream is Rotherhithe. ! Isthmuth The land inside the U of a meander is an Isthmus. Bow Creek Ecology Park, in Canning Town, sits right in the middle of the meanders of Bow Creek. Sometimes a river cuts through a neck of an Isthmus at times of ! floods and creates a new channel, leaving the remaining meander cut off in an Ox-bow lake. Lock Locks and weirs control the depth of water in a non-tidal section of a river allows boats easy navigation. This photo is of the double lock at Teddington. The lock can be filled with water or emptied to allow boats to change height. ! !2 Thames in London Glossary !Meander When a river is mature and gets near to the sea the drop in height is small and the river starts to get lazy, making big S shapes. This painting of East India Docks (British Library) from 1820 shows very clearly the both the big meanders and the isthmus of Bow Creek as it meets the Thames. The site of the Ecology Park (see Isthmus photo) is in the centre of the U shape in the bottom left of the painting. ! !Outfall The Victorians built large pipes to take sewage away from London out East to Beckton and Crossness where the Northern and Southern Outfalls emptied the raw sewage into the Thames Estuary. At low tide the Southern Outfall can be ! seen at Crossness. The sewage is now treated. !Pool of London The Pool of London was the heart of the trade on the Thames from Roman Times. Boats unloaded and loaded cargo either at wharfs at the side of the river or into smaller barges when moored in the middle of the river. It is the stretch downstream of London Bridge, most boats could not get through the bridge until is was rebuilt in 1836. ! !Tidal / non-tidal Below Richmond the Thames is fully tidal with high and low tides. This is very obvious in some places like Isleworth, only about a mile downstream from Richmond Lock with the river bed exposed at low tide. ! !3 Thames in London Glossary Tideway The tidal section of the Thames below Teddington Lock is called The Tideway. This photo is of The Tideway at Putney, where the University Boat Race starts every March, about 100m upstream of Putney Bridge. ! Towpat h Towpaths were built at the side of rivers and canals from 17 Century onwards for horses to tow cargo boats. Today the Thames Towpath is used by many people walking, running and cycling. ! !Tributary A smaller river which flows into a bigger river, like the River Thames is called a tributary. This is the River Brent which flows into the Thames at Brent Dock, opposite Kew Gardens. Some tributaries, like the River Fleet, were covered over and became sewers. ! !Upper Thames The river upstream of Teddington Lock is called the Upper Thames. It is not tidal and is much calmer then the Tideway below Teddington Lock. This photo is of Garrick’s Temple at Hampton. ! !4 Thames in London Glossary !Watermen Waterman ferried people both across and up and down the river in small boats. They were the taxi’s of their day up to the 19 century, when more bridges were built. Today the City Clipper, which runs a fast boat up and down the river from Westminster to Greenwich, still provides jobs ! for watermen but is more like a large bus than a taxi. Weir Locks and weirs control the depth of water in a non-tidal section of a river to allow boats easy navigation. The Thames is non- tidal upstream of the weir and partially tidal from Teddington down to the half weir and lock at Richmond. It is fully tidal downstream of Richmond. This photo is of the weir at Teddington ! Wet Docks As the Pool of London became more crowded Wet Docks started being built downstream. These had lock gates and quays where boats could load and unload without being affected by low or high tide. The water in wet docks was always the same. ! Wharf or Quays A wharf, or sometimes called a Quay, was where a ship or a barge would tie up to unload its cargo. This is Walbrook Wharfe, next to Cannon Street Railway Bridge, one of the few wharfs left in Central London. It exports rubbish from the City of London and other central boroughs further down the river to a power station where the rubbish is burnt to generate electricity. ! ! !5 Thames in London Glossary !6 Thames in London Glossary.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Custom House
    THE CUSTOM HOUSE The London Custom House is a forgotten treasure, on a prime site on the Thames with glorious views of the river and Tower Bridge. The question now before the City Corporation is whether it should become a luxury hotel with limited public access or whether it should have a more public use, especially the magnificent 180 foot Long Room. The Custom House is zoned for office use and permission for a hotel requires a change of use which the City may be hesitant to give. Circumstances have changed since the Custom House was sold as part of a £370 million job lot of HMRC properties around the UK to an offshore company in Bermuda – a sale that caused considerable merriment among HM customs staff in view of the tax avoidance issues it raised. SAVE Britain’s Heritage has therefore worked with the architect John Burrell to show how this monumental public building, once thronged with people, can have a more public use again. SAVE invites public debate on the future of the Custom House. Re-connecting The City to the River Thames The Custom House is less than 200 metres from Leadenhall Market and the Lloyds Building and the Gherkin just beyond where high-rise buildings crowd out the sky. Who among the tens of thousands of City workers emerging from their offices in search of air and light make the short journey to the river? For decades it has been made virtually impossible by the traffic fumed canyon that is Lower Thames Street. Yet recently for several weeks we have seen a London free of traffic where people can move on foot or bike without being overwhelmed by noxious fumes.
    [Show full text]
  • Thames Path Walk Section 2 North Bank Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge
    Thames Path Walk With the Thames on the right, set off along the Chelsea Embankment past Section 2 north bank the plaque to Victorian engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who also created the Victoria and Albert Embankments. His plan reclaimed land from the Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge river to accommodate a new road with sewers beneath - until then, sewage had drained straight into the Thames and disease was rife in the city. Carry on past the junction with Royal Hospital Road, to peek into the walled garden of the Chelsea Physic Garden. Version 1 : March 2011 The Chelsea Physic Garden was founded by the Worshipful Society of Start: Albert Bridge (TQ274776) Apothecaries in 1673 to promote the study of botany in relation to medicine, Station: Clippers from Cadogan Pier or bus known at the time as the "psychic" or healing arts. As the second-oldest stops along Chelsea Embankment botanic garden in England, it still fulfils its traditional function of scientific research and plant conservation and undertakes ‘to educate and inform’. Finish: Tower Bridge (TQ336801) Station: Clippers (St Katharine’s Pier), many bus stops, or Tower Hill or Tower Gateway tube Carry on along the embankment passed gracious riverside dwellings that line the route to reach Sir Christopher Wren’s magnificent Royal Hospital Distance: 6 miles (9.5 km) Chelsea with its famous Chelsea Pensioners in their red uniforms. Introduction: Discover central London’s most famous sights along this stretch of the River Thames. The Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in 1682 by King Charles II for the Cathedral, Tate Modern and the Tower of London, the Thames Path links 'succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war'.
    [Show full text]
  • The London River Park in the City of London Planning Application No.11/00505/FULEIA
    planning report PDU/2836/01 14 September, 2011 The London River Park in the City of London planning application no.11/00505/FULEIA Strategic planning application stage 1 referral (new powers) Town & Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended); Greater London Authority Acts 1999 and 2007; Town & Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008 The proposal A detailed application for the construction of two floating pontoon parks connected to the north bank of the River Thames for managed public use for a period of five years, and comprising: Seven floating pavilions for the following uses: museum, heritage, education, exhibitions, multi-use space available for public and private function/events including meetings, conferences, fashion shows, TV programmes, product launches, small concerts and exhibitions, swimming pool and associated changing facilities, and television broadcasting studios. Four access brows for access and egress to and from the north bank of the River Thames. Facilities for mooring and passenger ferries. Landscaping and lighting. Associated works. The applicant The applicant is London River Park Ltd and the architects are Gensler. Strategic issues This is a multi-purpose visitor attraction on the River Thames to complement major international events, such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. The principal issues for consideration are: the acceptability of the scheme in strategic land use policy terms; the potential and strategic benefits to London’s status as a world city and global tourist attraction; and an assessment of urban design, strategic views and heritage assets of the City; inclusive design and access; its impacts on transportation, safeguarded wharves and river navigation; the energy and sustainable development provisions of the scheme; and the effectiveness of measures to reduce flood risk, adverse impacts on biodiversity, ambient noise and other environmental considerations.
    [Show full text]
  • Docklands Revitalisation of the Waterfront
    Docklands Revitalisation of the Waterfront 1. Introduction 2. The beginning of Docklands 2.1. London’s first port 2.2. The medieval port 2.3. London’s Port trough the ages 3. The end of the harbour 4. The Revitalisation 4.1. Development of a new quarter 4.2. New Infrastructure 5. The result 6. Criticism 7. Sources 1. Introduction Docklands is the semi-official name for an area in east London. It is composed of parts of the boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich. Docklands is named after docks of the London port which had been in this area for centuries. Between 1960 and 1980, all of London's docks were closed, because of the invention of the container system of cargo transportation. For this system the docks were too small. Consequently London had a big area of derelict land which should be used on new way. The solution was to build up a new quarter with flats, offices and shopping malls. Map with 4 the parts of London Docklands and surrounding boroughs (Source: Wikipedia.org) 2. The beginning of Docklands 2.1. London’s first port Within the Roman Empire which stretched from northern Africa to Scotland and from Spain to Turkey, Londinium (London) became an important centre of communication, administration and redistribution. The most goods and people that came to Britain passed through Londinium. Soon this harbour became the busiest place of whole Londinium. On the river a harbour developed were the ships from the west countries and ships from overseas met. 2.2. The medieval port From 1398 the mayor of London was responsible for conserving the river Thames.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Second Half of the 19Th Century, Increased Commercial Development
    Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, which gives it its name. It has become an iconic symbol of London. The bridge consists of two towers, which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways, which are designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. The vertical component of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two towers. The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower. Originally Tower Bridge was painted a chocolate brown colour. Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, which is actually the next bridge upstream. In the second half of the 19th century, increased commercial development in the East End of London led to a requirement for a new river crossing downstream of London Bridge. A traditional fixed bridge could not be built because it would cut off access by tall ships to the port facilities in the Pool of London, between London Bridge and the Tower of London. A Special Bridge or Subway Committee was formed in 1876, chaired by Sir Albert Joseph Altman, to find a solution to the river crossing problem. It opened the design of the crossing to public competition. Over 50 designs were submitted. The evaluation of the designs was surrounded by controversy, and it was not until 1884 that a design submitted by Sir Horace Jones, the City Architect, was approved.
    [Show full text]
  • London's Historical Docks – the Dark Side
    LONDON’S HISTORICAL DOCKS – THE DARK SIDE A WALK AROUND WAPPING & THE OLD LONDON DOCKS AN INTRODUCTION TO LONDON WALKS Moreland lies between two of many sets of protected docks built from the beginning of the 19th century to relieve theft and delays in unloading at the riverside wharves and Pool of London. The building of St Katharine Dock and the London Docks transformed these areas, which were to be transformed again when the docks closed down in the late 1960s. On this walk we’ll see how both areas developed very differently following closure, but how vestiges and traces of their previous lives still remain from centuries ago. 2 miles (6,000 steps) round trip to Moretown / 30 mins Please adhere to current government guidelines for COVID-19 when exploring the different locations of the tour. Participants use this guide at their own risk and Moretown is not liable for any injury, loss or damage. A WALK AROUND WAPPING & THE OLD LONDON DOCKS 1 2 9 3 10 7 6 4 5 8 11. Starting point: 4. Wapping Pier Head 7. St Patrick’s 10. End point: WALKING The Moretown Belle Catholic Church Wapping Tube Station 2. Hermitage Basin / 5. Wapping Old Stairs / 8. Wapping Police TOUR MAP Entry Gate Posts The Town of Ramsgate Pub Boat House 3. Hermitage 6. Old St John’s Church 9. Turner’s Old Memorial Gardens and Parish School Star Pub A WALK AROUND WAPPING & THE OLD LONDON DOCKS 1 STARTING POINT: ‘TO MEET AGAIN’ SCULPTURE by Michael Beck (in front of The Moretown Belle) With your back to the sculpture turn left and then walk right along Vaughan Way.
    [Show full text]
  • 87443A97-00Ae-46B5-B643-56B6cf5751c7-27.Pdf
    OUR STORY STARTS HERE 4 — 11 LOCATION 12 — 25 ARCHITECTURE 26 — 35 AMENITIES 36 — 49 INTERIORS 50 — 67 MATERIALS & SPECIFICATION 68 — 75 SITE OVERVIEW 76 — 77 BARRATT LONDON 78 — 79 OUR STORY STARTS HERE 5 | 6 OUR STORY STARTS HERE. IN AROUND AD 43, ON THE RIVERSIDE BETWEEN BLACKFRIARS AND TOWER HILL, THE ROMANS ESTABLISHED LONDINIUM. TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER, LONDON’S ROMAN ORIGINS LIE DEEP BENEATH ITS STREETS, BUT WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT FIRST SETTLEMENT, ON THE BANKS OF THE THAMES, LIES LANDMARK PLACE, LONDON’S ORIGINAL ADDRESS. COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGE FOR INDICATIVE PURPOSES ONLY LANDMARK PLACE IS A BUILDING OF SUBSTANCE: ELEGANT, REFINED, AND ENTIRELY SUITED TO ITS ICONIC POSITION. A LANDMARK IN DESIGN, IN LOCATION, AND IN LONDON’S CONTINUING STORY. COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGE FOR INDICATIVE PURPOSES ONLY OUR STORY STARTS HERE THE CITY’S RIVERSIDE For millennia, ships have sailed for London’s north shore, bringing goods from the furthest corners of the known world. Around this quay, the modern City has grown and flourished, a global capital, its landmarks clustered about its ancient core. 11 | 12 COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGE FOR INDICATIVE PURPOSES ONLY LOCATION FIRST LIGHT. THE DAY BEFORE YOU, HISTORY JUST BENEATH YOUR FEET. 15 | 16 THE FIRST CITY OF LONDON Two thousand years ago, at a strategic Thames crossing, Britannia’s most important city was founded. Within seven years of the Roman invasion of AD 43, Londinium was established around a strategic crossing point with deep water access to the Thames’ north bank, now the heart of the modern City. The new settlement swiftly became a major trading post, the centre of the road network of the new Roman province of Britannia.
    [Show full text]
  • Riverside Coverage Introduction
    Exceptional Riverside Coverage Introduction Few, if any, international agents can offer property is given the absolute maximum exposure, by their clients better coverage along the river than people best placed to sell its benefits and understand Knight Frank. With 10 of our 29 offices in London its eccentricities. (and growing) directly covering areas on the Thames, In the following pages you will see a clear Knight Frank has expert teams that are able to share distinction between the river’s architectural styles their vast knowledge of the river and ensure that and local attractions, as well as the locations of property is offered to applicants that have registered strategically placed Knight Frank offices, maximising interest, simply in living on the River Thames and not our riverside coverage. in a local area specifically. Knight Frank is a globally trusted brand We are experts in riverside locations that and its concentration on excellent riverside property widely vary in character and local amenities, existing in London is a clear message to clients, buyers and infrastructure and ongoing development, financial tenants from all over the world that we have this hubs and suburban oases. This ensures that your market well and truly covered. Matthew Smith Riverside Office Head T: +44 20 3597 7670 [email protected] Richmond Richmond and the river have a very • Waterloo in under 20 minutes, District Line distinguished history portrayed by many artists over underground to Sloane Square in 30 minutes the centuries with, most notably, the views from the top • Stunning Royal Parks including the amazing of Richmond Hill over Petersham Meadows towards 2,300 acres of Richmond Park Twickenham immortalised by both Reynolds and Turner.
    [Show full text]
  • Thames Path North Bank. Section 2 of 4
    Transport for London. Thames Path north bank. Section 2 of 4. Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge. Section start: Albert Bridge. Nearest stations Cadogan Pier or Victoria then to start: bus route 170 to Albert Bridge / Cadagon Pier. Section finish: Tower Bridge. Nearest stations Tower Hill , Tower Gateway , to finish: Fenchurch Street or Tower Pier . Section distance: 6 miles (9.5 kilometres). Introduction. Discover central London's most famous sights along this stretch of the River Thames. The Houses of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tate Modern and the Tower of London; the Thames Path links these and other great icons in a free and easy level walk that reveals both the historic and contemporary life of London. London developed because of the Thames and the river is at its very heart. From elegant Chelsea to the Tower of London, the walk reflects the history, heritage, architecture and activities that make this one of the great capital cities of the world. Enjoy ever-changing views and vistas, following the Thames to the cultural complex of the South Bank, or the Temple and Inns of Court on the north side, the Pool of London, once-bawdy Bankside with its Dickensian alleys, passing such outstanding features as Wren's Chelsea Royal Hospital, Battersea Power Station and the wheel of the London Eye. There are plenty of distractions along the way!. Continues on next page Continues Directions. Pick up the Thames Path at Albert Bridge, where signs instruct soldiers from Chelsea Barracks to 'break step' when crossing. Considered too weak for modern traffic, the bridge was only saved from demolition by public outcry, led by the poet Sir John Betjeman, who also famously led the battle to save St.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LIVING HISTORY of LONDON DOCK Computer-Generated Imagesare Indicative Only
    THE LIVING HISTORY OF LONDON DOCK Computer-generated images are indicative only indicative imagesare Computer-generated TOWER OF LONDON WILTON’S MUSIC HALL TOWER BRIDGE ST KATHARINE DOCKS PENNINGTON STREET WAREHOUSE LONDON DOCK TOBACCO DOCK LONDON DOCK E1 DOCK LONDON LONDON DOCK RICH IN HISTORY CONTENTS RICH IN HISTORY 01 RICH IN HISTORY FAMOUS FACES 03 Situated on the banks of the River Thames, just outside the City of London, Wapping has a history dating back TEA CLIPPERS 05 thousands of years. The Romans built The Highway, but it was the Saxons who first settled here. Over time, THE LONDON DOCKS 07 the village of Wapping grew; wharves and houses spread along the riverfront. PENNINGTON STREET WAREHOUSE 1 1 With the expansion and dominance of English power on the sea, Wapping’s boat building and fishing industries ST KATHARINE DOCKS 13 thrived, and by the 18th Century it was firmly established as an area for maritime trades. TOWER OF LONDON 14 1 TOWER BRIDGE 17 WILTON’S MUSIC HALL 18 CHANGES & A NEW ERA 21 LONDON DOCK E1 DOCK LONDON FAMOUS FACES FAMOUS FAMOUS FACES A number of historic figures have chosen to make Wapping their home over the centuries, including explorer and cartographer James Cook, captain of the famous Endeavour. Cook lived in Wapping during the 1750s and ‘60s, before he became the first European to chart the east coast of Australia. Wapping has always been a popular location for writers. Samuel Pepys frequently visited the area, and Charles Dickens was often inspired by the docks whilst visiting his godfather in nearby Limehouse; many of Dickens’ novels feature scenes of the docks and riverside, including Oliver Twist and Great Expectations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Work of the Metropolitan Police Marine Support Unit Transcript
    Protecting London: The work of the Metropolitan Police Marine Support Unit Transcript Date: Monday, 20 October 2008 - 12:00AM WATER: THE WORK OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE MARINE SUPPORT UNIT Superintendent Alan King Good Afternoon Ladies & Gentlemen. It is my pleasure to be able to address you today on the subject of policing the river Thames a responsibility I held for three years from 1999 - 2002. Before I start however I wish to put you in the mood and show you a short piece of film from bygone days. Show Slide 2 - Video Clip I wonder how many of you remember those days, I certainly do! To begin the history of policing the river Thames we must go back to the end of the 18th century when London was a major Port, the busiest in the World in fact. Show Slide 3 - Old Engraving At that time somewhere in the region of 13,500 ships came in and out of the Port of London every year, but the port only had 1,400 feet of legal quay space between London Bridge and The Tower of London plus 20 'Sufferance' Wharves along the south side of the river to ease pressure. It was so crowded that most ships were unloaded in the river by barges, which became known as 'Lighters' as they made the ships lighter. The men that operated them became known as 'lighter men' a profession still carried out in Ports to this day. The turn around time for a ship coming in was between 2 - 6 weeks dependent on size, cargo and volume of work at that time.
    [Show full text]
  • London Walk 4: London Bridge to Canary Wharf Via Wapping 1
    London Walk 4: London Bridge to Canary Wharf via Wapping 1 London Bridge Station. The oldest station in London opened in 1830 by the London & Blackwall Railway which was 3.5 miles long. Pre-dated Euston by 7 months and is soon to be London's newest station as part of the £6bn Thameslink programme. 2 The Shard, the tallest building in the UK at 309m/1016', but only the 4th tallest in Europe and 87th tallest in the world. Cost £435m to build and owned by the State of Qatar. Built by Renzo Piano - the style is called "Neo- Futurism". The 828-metre (2,717 ft) tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai has been the tallest building in the world since 2008. The Burj Khalifa has been classified as Megatall. 3 The Upper Pool. After the Elizabethan voyages of discovery there was a boom in shipping in London and many wharves and warehouses were built to cater for the trade. However due to increasing smuggling and crime, Queen Elizabeth specified 20 quays on the north bank to be designated “Legal Quays” over which all cargo had to be discharged and cleared by Customs who collected duty. Over the next century this monopoly became abused and many traders and shipping men complained of extortion pleading for more quays to be opened. By contrast at this time, Bristol had 4000’ of quays compared with London’s 1400’ Crime was rife with ships being raided and cargos sold before they reached the legal quays and by 1797 it was estimated that over £500,000 of cargo was being stolen annually.
    [Show full text]