Thames River (Connecticut)

The Thames River, seen from the waterfront in New London, Connecticut

The Thames River is a short river and tidal estuary in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It flows south for 15 mi. (25 km.) through eastern Connecticut from the junction of the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers at Norwich, to New London and Groton, which flank its mouth at the Long Island Sound.

Differing from its namesake, the River Thames in England, Connecticut's Thames is pronounced /ˈθeɪmz/, rhyming with "James," rather than /ˈtɛmz/ "temz".

The river has provided important harbors since the mid-17^th century when it was known as the Pequot River for the Pequot Indians who lived in the area. Other early names for the river have included Frisius, Great, Great River of Pequot, Little Fresh, Mohegan, New London, and Pequod.

The United States Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut College, a U.S. Navy submarine base, and the Electric Boat submarine shipyard are located on the river.

Sleighing on the frozen river, winter of 1903-1904

Two historic forts, now Connecticut State Parks, overlook the mouth of the river which forms New London habor; Fort Griswold on the eastern Groton Heights, and Fort Trumbull on the New London side.

Events

The Harvard-Yale Boat Race is held annually in New London.

Towns around Thames River

• Gales Ferry, Connecticut
• Groton, Connecticut
• Ledyard, Connecticut
• Montville, Connecticut
• New London, Connecticut
• Norwich, Connecticut
• Quaker Hill, Connecticut

Crossings

Being a short river, the Thames only has three crossings:

• Amtrak's Thames River Bridge railroad crossing between New London and Groton.
• The Gold Star Memorial Bridge carrying I-95 and Route 1 (New London and Groton)
• Mohegan-Pequot Bridge carrying Route 2A (Montville and Preston)

External links

• Harvard-Yale Boat Race

See also

• List of Connecticut rivers
• River Thames - London, England, United Kingdom