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The Boats |
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The Moorings at Downings Roads support the largest single collection of historic trading vessels on the Thames, some over 100 years old. |
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Most
of the boats on the moorings are historically significant, they
include Thames Barges, Thames Lighters, Commercial Tugs, Humber
Keels, European Freight Carriers, and both sail and motor barges
from all over Europe. |
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Moored at Downings Roads is the Ethel Ada, named after the wives
of the builders. Built in 1903, she was used by coal merchants and
in the explosives trade before working as a chartered barge on the
East Coast. She was brought to London in 2001 by her present owner
Ollie Price, and was used in the filming of the TV drama "Daniel
Deronda". She takes part in historic barge matches each summer.
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The garden barges, converted from old Thames Lighters, are the the most unexpected part of the moorings, fruit trees and formal box hedges are amongst the many plants thriving on top. Interconnected by a variety of bridges which expand and contract with the movement of the river. These floating gardens provide walkways across the moorings. |
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The boats on
the moorings support a number of services essential to the river
such as marine building and repair materials and marine fuel. |
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Many of the boats regularly cruise down the Thames and even across the channel, keeping the activity and life on the river vital. |
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Copyright 2003 Downings Roads Residents Association. Please make sure you read our disclaimer and legal sections here |