Current fleet of Woolwich ferry boats to retire on Friday

Rob PowellNews, Passenger Vessels

THE LAST river crossings on the current fleet of Woolwich ferries will take place on Friday 5th October. The popular foot and vehicle crossing between Woolwich and North Woolwich will be out of action from Saturday until late December while work takes place on the piers to accommodate the brand new boats ordered by TFL. For local people it will …

Waverley arrives on the Thames for 2017 season

Staff WriterNews, Passenger Vessels

POPULAR paddle steamer Waverley has arrived on the river for the start of her 2017 Thames season. This year’s programme of excursions, which coincides with the 70th anniversary year of her maiden voyage, is already sold out on many days. On sunny Friday afternoon, she steamed up the Thames, stopping at Southend, Gravesend and then making her way up to …

Thames Clippers to run trials of commuter service from Gravesend to London

Staff WriterPassenger Vessels

GRAVESEND commuters will get the chance to try travelling to London and back by boat in a four day trial next month. MBNA Thames Clippers will be running the trial service from Gravesend town pier into central London, stopping at Canary Wharf, Tower Pier, Blackfriars and Embankment. The service will get passengers from Gravesend to Canary Wharf in just 48 minutes and …

New operator takes over the Tilbury Ferry service

Rob PowellNews, Passenger Vessels

A NEW operator has taken over the historic Tilbury Ferry service today. The river crossing between Tilbury and Gravesend is now operated by Jetstream Tours using the Thames Swift trimaran vessel. It’s a return to the service after a 15 year absence for Thames Swift, having originally been built in Gravesend by a previous ferry operator – White Horse Ferries …

Gosport Queen arrives on the Thames

Staff WriterPassenger Vessels

A FERRY has arrived on the River Thames after spending fifty years operating between Gosport and Portsmouth. The Gosport Queen has been bought by the London Party Boats company, based at Festival Pier, and was handed over at the end of last week. Early on Friday morning the Gosport Queen, built in 1966, set off on its 350km journey – …

Former Gosport Ferry arrives on the Thames

Rob PowellPassenger Vessels

A FERRY which operated from Portsmouth to Gosport for fifty years has arrived on the Thames after being acquired by a new owner. The Portsmouth Queen left Portsmouth Harbour for the final time on February 29th and arrived on the Thames the following day. The vessel, which will be known as the London Queen, initially moored at the Gravesend old …

Waverley at Woolwich

Staff WriterHeritage vessels, Passenger Vessels

As the historic paddle steamer Waverley continues her Thames season, here’s some photographs of the famous vessel as she passed Woolwich a few days ago. Recent photographs by OnTheThames.net of Waverley at Tower Bridge were picked up by the Scottish edition of the Sun and have been added to our In The Press page of cuttings. Don’t forget, also, that …

Tattershall Castle sets off for refit in Hull

Rob PowellNews, Passenger Vessels

THE RENOWNED paddle steamer Tattershall Castle has left the Thames as she sets off on a journey to Hull where she is to receive a refit. She left her mooring under tow earlier in the week and after staying at Woolwich for two nights, she continued down the river today with tugs GPS Avenger and Horton. Built in 1934, the …