Paddle Steamers - Woolwich Free Ferry

[Brian]

Enter the following "search string" for another web-site which includes Paddle Steamers, and then click on the "Paddle Steamer" hot-spot
 
"Woolwich Free Ferry"   "Paddle Steamer"

Until 1963 it was possible to cross the River Thames (UK) on the WOOLWICH FREE FERRY on a PADDLE STEAMER (there  were three in operation).  The ferry will be always free (in perpetuity), the service was commenced in 23 March 1889. I have memories of trips from South Woolwich to North Woolwich, and back again, without leaving the ferry; as children we were fascinated by seeing the engines working.

In those days the River Thames was much busier as the London Docks were operating with ships of all sizes from all over the world.

Since 1963 the Ferry vessels now used are powered by Voith Schneider units (one at each end).

[mjt60a]

This site makes good reading (or looking) and has a number of paddlers on it - http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/ThamesBoats-London.html - that's just a random page I had bookmarked, check out some of the links near the top!
This page (from the Medway Queen site) also has many interesting links on it   - http://freespace.virgin.net/tom.lee/

**these are probably on the paddleducks 'web links' page, from the menu on the left... also worth a look...