Jump to content

Hammerton's Ferry: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m moved Hammertons Ferry (London) to Hammerton's Ferry: Moved to correct apostrophisation (it was owned by Walter Hammerton), and removed superfluous "London"
Expand
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Water transit
'''Hammertons Ferry''' is a pedestrian and cycle ferry service across the [[River Thames]] in England near [[Richmond upon Thames]], on the river stretch between [[Richmond Bridge, London|Richmond Bridge]] and [[Teddington Lock]].
|name = Hammerton's Ferry
|logo =LRSMark.jpg
|logo_size =160px
|image = Hammerton's Ferry midriver.jpg
|image_size = 220px
|locale = [[London]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]
|waterway =[[River Thames]]
|transit_type = Passenger [[ferry]]
|began_operation = 1909
|ended_operation =
|system_length = 120m
|lines = 1
|vessels = 1
|terminals = 2
|ridership =
|operator = [[Stan Rust]]
|owner = [[Francis Spencer]]
}}
'''Hammerton's Ferry''' is a pedestrian and cycle [[ferry]] service across the [[River Thames]] in [[Richmond upon Thames]], [[London]], roughly halfway between [[Richmond Bridge, London|Richmond Bridge]] and [[Teddington Lock]]. The ferry provides a service across the river between the northern bank near [[Marble Hill House]] and the southern bank near [[Ham House, London|Ham House]]. It is one of only four remaining ferry routes in London not to be replaced by a bridge or tunnel.


==Historical background==
The ferry provides a service across the river between the northern bank near [[Marble Hill House]] and the southern bank near [[Ham House, London|Ham House]]. It allows walkers and cyclists to make a round trip journey from Richmond. [[Glover's Island]] is downstream and [[Eel Pie Island]] is upstream. The [[Great River Race]] starts at this point.
Although ferries (and later bridges) had crossed the river to the east at Richmond upon Thames since 1459<ref>{{cite journal | last =Reynolds | first =Susan | title =Twickenham: Introduction | journal =A History of the County of Middlesex | volume =3 | pages =139-147 | date =1962 | url =http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22287 | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref> and to the west at [[Eel Pie Island]] since at least 1652,<ref>{{cite web | title =Twickenham Ferry | publisher =The Twickenham Museum | url =http://www.twickenham-museum.org.uk/detail.asp?ContentID=172 | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref> the lands to the south of the river at this point had historically been privately held by the [[Earl of Dysart|Tollemache family]] (owners of Ham House) and off limits to the public. Consequently, despite the distance from the nearest crossings there was little demand for cross-river services at this location. Additionally, the Tollemache family enjoyed a partial share of the revenue from the [[Twickenham Ferry]] at Eel Pie Island, and consequently had little interest in promoting a competing service.


==See also==
==Walter Hammerton==
[[Image:Hammerton's Ferry pedestrians boarding.jpg|right|thumb|Passengers boarding from the north bank]]
In 1901 [[Marble Hill House]] on the north bank of the Thames and the surrounding park were purchased for public use<ref>{{cite web | last =Tolhurst | first =Marilyn | title =Marble Hill House: Information for Teachers | publisher =English Heritage | date =1998 | url =http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/marble_hill_house.pdf | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref> and in 1902 the footpath on the southern bank near [[Ham House, London|Ham House]] became a public right of way by Act of Parliament<ref>{{cite book | last =Slater | first =G | title =The English Peasantry and the Enclosure of Common Fields | publisher =Constable & Co | date =1907 | location =London | pages =337 | isbn =1421210827 }}</ref> resulting in increased passenger traffic in the area. In 1908 local resident Walter Hammerton began hiring out boats to leisure users from a boathouse opposite Marble Hill House, and in 1909 began to to operate a regular ferry service across the river at this point using a 12-passenger [[clinker (boat building)|clinker]]-built [[skiff]]<ref name="MusInDock">{{cite web | title =Museum in Docklands: Vessels | publisher =Museum of London | url =http://www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/Collections/Artefact/Vessels.htm | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref>, charging [[British one penny coin (pre-decimal)|1d]] per journey.<ref name="TwickMuseum">{{cite web | title =Walter Hammerton's Ferry | publisher =The Twickenham Museum | url =http://www.twickenham-museum.org.uk/detail.asp?ContentID=230 | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref>


===Legal challenge===
⚫
*[[Crossings of the River Thames]]
In 1913 William Champion, and [[William John Manners Tollemache, 9th Earl of Dysart|Lord Dysart]], operators of the nearby [[Twickenham Ferry]], took legal action against Hammerton to remove his right to operate the ferry.<ref>{{cite web | title =Hammerton's Ferry, Ham | publisher =Old Father Thames | url =http://www.old-father-thames.co.uk/sector04/0104HTML/ad043025.html | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref> Although Hammerton won the initial case, the judgement was reversed on appeal. Following considerable public interest in the case, a public subscription raised the funds for Hammerton to take the case to the [[House of Lords]], who ruled in his favour on [[23 July]] [[1915]].<ref name="TwickMuseum"/>


The legal case resulted in considerable publicity for Hammerton, culminating in the release of the song "The Ferry to Fairyland" celebrating the case. ("Fairyland", in this case, referring to Marble Hill House, recently purchased by the [[London County Council]] for public enjoyment.)<ref name="TwickMuseum"/>


In 1947 Hammerton retired after 38 years of operating the ferry, leaving the ferry & boathouse to Sandy Scott.<ref name="TwickMuseum"/>

[[Image:Hammerton's Ferry south pier across river.jpg|right|thumb|The jetty on the south bank]]

==Current operation==
The ferry is currently owned by Francis Spencer<ref name="Hero">{{Citation | last =Blades | first =Hollye | title =Hero of Thames Rescue | newspaper =Richmond & Twickenham Times | date =2007-07-18 | url =http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1552311.0.hero_of_thames_rescue.php }}</ref> and operated by Stan Rust.<ref>{{Citation | last =Mayes | first =Robert | title =River Recluse's Home is an Eyesore Say Neighbours | newspaper =Richmond & Twickenham Times | date =2003-02-07 | url =http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/search/display.var.269433.0.river_recluses_home_is_an_eyesore_say_neighbours.php }}</ref> The current ferry, ''Peace of Mind'', was built at [[Teddington]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite book | last =Hatts | first =Leigh | title =The Thames Path:From the Sea to the Source | publisher =Cicerone Press Ltd | date =2005 | location =Milnthorpe | isbn =1852844361 }}</ref> Hammerton's original skiff is now on display at the [[Museum in Docklands]].<ref name="MusInDock"/>

[[Image:Hammerton's Ferry north pier.jpg|left|thumb|The boathouse on the north bank.]]
The ferry currently operates between a floating boathouse on the north bank of the Thames and a rudimentary [[jetty]] on the south bank. The boathouse is also in use as a private [[mooring (watercraft)|mooring]] for leisure craft.<ref>{{cite web | title =Marinas, Moorings, Boatyards, Consultants, Equipment Suppliers & Services | publisher =The Yacht Harbour Association Ltd | url =http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/DocImages/ForceDownload.asp?id=76 | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref> The ferry operates on all weekends, and weekdays between February and October.<ref>{{Citation | last =Hoggart | first =Simon | author-link =Simon Hoggart | title =Suburban Hymn | newspaper =The Guardian | date =2001-08-18 | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2001/aug/18/london.unitedkingdom.walkingholidays?page=all }}</ref> As well as the ferry service, [[rowboat]]s, [[canoe]]s and [[motorboat]]s can also be hired from the boathouse.<ref>{{cite web | title =Interim Report of the Centre Working Party | work =Appendix 7: River-related Users of the Eel Pie Centre | publisher =Twickenham Riverside Redevelopment | date =2000-04-13 | url =http://www.rivercentre.org.uk/centre_report/appendix7.htm | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref>

In July 2007 the ferry briefly made headlines when owner Francis Spencer saved from drowning a woman found floating in the Thames.<ref name="Hero"/><ref>{{Citation | last =Newstead | first =Sarah | title =Drowning Lady Pulled from River | newspaper =Richmond & Twickenham Times | date =2007-07-05 | url =http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1524057.0.drowning_lady_pulled_from_river.php }}</ref> After the rescue, the woman left the scene and was never identified.<ref name="Hero"/>

A local tradition holds that a tunnel connects Ham House and Marble Hill House, paralleling the route of the ferry.<ref>{{cite web | last =Day | first =Martyn | title =55 Fascinating & Half-forgotten Facts & Folklore You Might Not Know About Our Neighbourhood | publisher =North St Margaret's Residents Association | date =2005 | url =http://www.nsmra.co.uk/55things.html | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref> However, there is no evidence that this is the case.

[[Image:Hammerton's Ferry moored.jpg|right|thumb|''Peace of Mind'' moored at the boathouse]]
The ferry marks the starting point of the [[Great River Race]] and is on the course of the [[Twickenham Regatta]]. As the ferry has right-of-way over rowed craft, the races have to be carefully timed to ensure that the ferry does not interfere with their running.<ref>{{cite web | title =Twickenham Regatta Safety Instructions | publisher =Twickenham Rowing Club | date =2007-05-26 | url =http://www.twickenham-regatta.org/TwAR07-Safety-Instructions.doc | accessdate =2007-12-30 }}</ref>

==See also==
⚫
*[[Crossings of the River Thames]]

==Image gallery==
<gallery widths="160px">
Image:Hammerton's Ferry south pier.jpg|View across the river from the Ham side, showing the wooden jetty and the private boats moored at the boathouse on the north bank.
Image:Hammerton's Ferry casting off.jpg|The ferry departing from the north bank.
Image:Hammerton's Ferry northbound from s bank.jpg|The ferry running empty from the south to north bank to collect passengers.
</gallery>


{{Crossings navbox
{{Crossings navbox
Line 15: Line 65:
}}
}}


==References==

{{reflist|2}}


[[Category:Crossings of the River Thames]]
[[Category:Crossings of the River Thames]]
[[Category:Ferries of England]]
[[Category:Ferries of England]]
[[Category:Transport in Richmond upon Thames]]
[[Category:London River Services]]

Revision as of 23:56, 30 December 2007

Hammerton's Ferry
File:LRSMark.jpg
LocaleLondon, UK
WaterwayRiver Thames
Transit typePassenger ferry
OwnerFrancis Spencer
OperatorStan Rust
Began operation1909
System length120m
No. of lines1
No. of vessels1
No. of terminals2

Hammerton's Ferry is a pedestrian and cycle ferry service across the River Thames in Richmond upon Thames, London, roughly halfway between Richmond Bridge and Teddington Lock. The ferry provides a service across the river between the northern bank near Marble Hill House and the southern bank near Ham House. It is one of only four remaining ferry routes in London not to be replaced by a bridge or tunnel.

Historical background

Although ferries (and later bridges) had crossed the river to the east at Richmond upon Thames since 1459[1] and to the west at Eel Pie Island since at least 1652,[2] the lands to the south of the river at this point had historically been privately held by the Tollemache family (owners of Ham House) and off limits to the public. Consequently, despite the distance from the nearest crossings there was little demand for cross-river services at this location. Additionally, the Tollemache family enjoyed a partial share of the revenue from the Twickenham Ferry at Eel Pie Island, and consequently had little interest in promoting a competing service.

Walter Hammerton

Passengers boarding from the north bank

In 1901 Marble Hill House on the north bank of the Thames and the surrounding park were purchased for public use[3] and in 1902 the footpath on the southern bank near Ham House became a public right of way by Act of Parliament[4] resulting in increased passenger traffic in the area. In 1908 local resident Walter Hammerton began hiring out boats to leisure users from a boathouse opposite Marble Hill House, and in 1909 began to to operate a regular ferry service across the river at this point using a 12-passenger clinker-built skiff[5], charging 1d per journey.[6]

In 1913 William Champion, and Lord Dysart, operators of the nearby Twickenham Ferry, took legal action against Hammerton to remove his right to operate the ferry.[7] Although Hammerton won the initial case, the judgement was reversed on appeal. Following considerable public interest in the case, a public subscription raised the funds for Hammerton to take the case to the House of Lords, who ruled in his favour on 23 July 1915.[6]

The legal case resulted in considerable publicity for Hammerton, culminating in the release of the song "The Ferry to Fairyland" celebrating the case. ("Fairyland", in this case, referring to Marble Hill House, recently purchased by the London County Council for public enjoyment.)[6]

In 1947 Hammerton retired after 38 years of operating the ferry, leaving the ferry & boathouse to Sandy Scott.[6]

The jetty on the south bank

Current operation

The ferry is currently owned by Francis Spencer[8] and operated by Stan Rust.[9] The current ferry, Peace of Mind, was built at Teddington in 1997.[10] Hammerton's original skiff is now on display at the Museum in Docklands.[5]

The boathouse on the north bank.

The ferry currently operates between a floating boathouse on the north bank of the Thames and a rudimentary jetty on the south bank. The boathouse is also in use as a private mooring for leisure craft.[11] The ferry operates on all weekends, and weekdays between February and October.[12] As well as the ferry service, rowboats, canoes and motorboats can also be hired from the boathouse.[13]

In July 2007 the ferry briefly made headlines when owner Francis Spencer saved from drowning a woman found floating in the Thames.[8][14] After the rescue, the woman left the scene and was never identified.[8]

A local tradition holds that a tunnel connects Ham House and Marble Hill House, paralleling the route of the ferry.[15] However, there is no evidence that this is the case.

Peace of Mind moored at the boathouse

The ferry marks the starting point of the Great River Race and is on the course of the Twickenham Regatta. As the ferry has right-of-way over rowed craft, the races have to be carefully timed to ensure that the ferry does not interfere with their running.[16]

See also

  • View across the river from the Ham side, showing the wooden jetty and the private boats moored at the boathouse on the north bank.
    View across the river from the Ham side, showing the wooden jetty and the private boats moored at the boathouse on the north bank.
  • The ferry departing from the north bank.
    The ferry departing from the north bank.
  • The ferry running empty from the south to north bank to collect passengers.
    The ferry running empty from the south to north bank to collect passengers.

References

  1. ^ Reynolds, Susan (1962). "Twickenham: Introduction". A History of the County of Middlesex. 3: 139–147. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  2. ^ "Twickenham Ferry". The Twickenham Museum. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  3. ^ Tolhurst, Marilyn (1998). "Marble Hill House: Information for Teachers" (PDF). English Heritage. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  4. ^ Slater, G (1907). The English Peasantry and the Enclosure of Common Fields. London: Constable & Co. p. 337. ISBN 1421210827.
  5. ^ a b "Museum in Docklands: Vessels". Museum of London. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  6. ^ a b c d "Walter Hammerton's Ferry". The Twickenham Museum. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  7. ^ "Hammerton's Ferry, Ham". Old Father Thames. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  8. ^ a b c Blades, Hollye (2007-07-18), "Hero of Thames Rescue", Richmond & Twickenham Times
  9. ^ Mayes, Robert (2003-02-07), "River Recluse's Home is an Eyesore Say Neighbours", Richmond & Twickenham Times
  10. ^ Hatts, Leigh (2005). The Thames Path:From the Sea to the Source. Milnthorpe: Cicerone Press Ltd. ISBN 1852844361.
  11. ^ "Marinas, Moorings, Boatyards, Consultants, Equipment Suppliers & Services". The Yacht Harbour Association Ltd. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  12. ^ Hoggart, Simon (2001-08-18), "Suburban Hymn", The Guardian
  13. ^ "Interim Report of the Centre Working Party". Appendix 7: River-related Users of the Eel Pie Centre. Twickenham Riverside Redevelopment. 2000-04-13. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  14. ^ Newstead, Sarah (2007-07-05), "Drowning Lady Pulled from River", Richmond & Twickenham Times
  15. ^ Day, Martyn (2005). "55 Fascinating & Half-forgotten Facts & Folklore You Might Not Know About Our Neighbourhood". North St Margaret's Residents Association. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
  16. ^ "Twickenham Regatta Safety Instructions". Twickenham Rowing Club. 2007-05-26. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hammerton%27s_Ferry&oldid=181084426"