Thames Wherries

In this richly illustrated talk, Mike Adams – a member of the Thames Wherry Trust – will delve into the history of Thames wherries. These historic and visually distinctive clinker-built vessels had long extended bows, designed to help keep passengers dry-shod when using Thames’ stairs and causeways. They were once a very familiar sight for Londoners and visitors alike. In the 1790s around 12,000 watermen operated some 3,000 wherries to carry passengers, across and up and down the river, as well as to transport light goods. Wherries were also much used by watermen for prize rowing matches and for attending ceremonial events. The number of wherries progressively declined in the course of the 19th century, as new bridges were built, steamboats introduced, and railway lines developed. Part of Mike’s talk will focus on the Richmond waterfront and the building of the Rose in June – between 1990 and 1991 – the first…