Watermen Collection

Doggetts Coat and Badge Race, River Thames, London
Watermen on duty at the end of Doggetts Coat and Badge Race on the River Thames. They are wearing the livery of the Fishmongers Company

Thames Waterman 1804
A Thames boatman lands his passengers on the south bank of the Thames, near Waterloo; at this time there are some 20, 000 watermen serving those who need to cross the river

The Finish of the Race for Doggetts Coat and Badge, London
Engraving showing the finish of the Race for Thames Watermen for Doggetts Coat and Badge, Chelsea, 1869. This race, held on the River Thames, between the Old Swan, London Bridge, and the White Swan

Queens Bargemaster and Watermen in Queen Victoria s
The Queens Bargemaster of the Royal Household and 48 Watermen in Queen Victorias coronation parade. Handcoloured aquatint engraving from Fores Correct Representation of the State Procession

Thames Waterman
A waterman is about to row two women across the Thames, despite the proximity of London Bridge. Traffic is sufficient to keep 20, 000 watermen employed. Date: circa 1810

London Bridge / 1757
Watermen pass along the Thames

Arch of London Bridge as it appeared in the Great Frost of 1814. Two watermen whose boat has crashed into a groin are
FLO5000499 Arch of London Bridge as it appeared in the Great Frost of 1814. Two watermen whose boat has crashed into a groin are pulled to safety by rope

Watermans arm badge, Ryde, Isle of Wight, c. 1840 (bronze)
2959908 Watermans arm badge, Ryde, Isle of Wight, c.1840 (bronze) by English School, (19th century); Timothy Millett Collection; English, out of copyright

Feathers Boat House OFH01_01_01_f09_01
Feathers Boat House, Wandsworth, Wandsworth, Greater London. The Feathers Boat House, also known as The Feathers Tavern, seen across the canal running parrallel to the River Wandle

Waterloo Bridge, London, early 1900s Date: early 1900s

The Queens Bargemaster of the Royal Household and 48 Watermen in Queen Victorias coronation parade
6338981 The Queens Bargemaster of the Royal Household and 48 Watermen in Queen Victorias coronation parade by British School

Workers on the "Silent Highway", 1877. Creator: John Thomson
Workers on the " Silent Highway", 1877. A work made of woodburytype, from the album " street life in london"

Workers on the "Silent Highway", 1881. Creator: John Thomson
Workers on the " Silent Highway", 1881. A work made of woodburytype, plate 8 in the book " street incidents" (1881)

Advertisement for Pig Roasting on the River Thames (engraving)
610680 Advertisement for Pig Roasting on the River Thames (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement for Pig Roasting on the River Thames)

St Dunstans Church, Postman, Letter Carrier and Knife-Grinder. Clock with figures striking bells at St Dunstans Church in Fleet Street 42

First Carriage of the Royal Household in Queen Victoria s
First Carriage of the Royal Household in Queen Victorias coronation parade. Two Pages of Honour, James Charles M. Covell Esq. and George A. Cavendish Esq

Chair-mender, News Boy, Flying Pieman and Blackfriars Bridge
6340362 Chair-mender, News Boy, Flying Pieman and Blackfriars Bridge by Taylor, Isaac (1730-1807); (add.info.: Chair-mender, News Boy, Flying Pieman and Blackfriars Bridge)

Arch of London Bridge as it appeared in the Great Frost of 1814. Two watermen whose boat has crashed into a groin are pulled to safety by rope

People of the Intha tribe, Inle Lake, Burma, South East Asia
Men and women of the Intha tribe, on Inle Lake in southern Burma (now Myanmar), South East Asia. They are known for their leg rowing techniques, as seen here, used to propel their long canoe

St Nicholas (chromolitho)
1094002 St Nicholas (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Nicholas. French educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

"Civil War"on the Thames, between the Watermen and City Authorities (engraving)
1101678 " Civil War" on the Thames, between the Watermen and City Authorities (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Seal of the Hanse of Water Merchants, early 13th century
ARN182494 Seal of the Hanse of Water Merchants, early 13th century by French School, (13th century); Centre Historique des Archives Nationales, Paris

Waterman and Bargemen moving goods and passengers, 1808 (colour litho)
810264 Waterman and Bargemen moving goods and passengers, 1808 (colour litho) by Pyne, William Henry (1769-1843); Private Collection; (add.info.: Published by William Miller)

Arrival at Brandebburgh House of the Watermen etc with an address to the Queen, 3 October 1820 (coloured engraving)
611359 Arrival at Brandebburgh House of the Watermen etc with an address to the Queen, 3 October 1820 (coloured engraving) by English School

Civil War in the City (engraving)
587794 Civil War in the City (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Civil War in the City - Battle of the Pool - the Watermen recapturing the St Pauls Wharf)

Arrival at Brandenburg House of the Watermen, etc. with an Address to the Queen
5055733 Arrival at Brandenburg House of the Watermen, etc. with an Address to the Queen on the 3rd October 1820, pub. 1821 (coloured engraving) by English School

"Civil War in the City, "Battle of the Pool, the Watermen recapturing the St Pauls Wharf Pier (engraving)
1593965 " Civil War in the City, " Battle of the Pool, the Watermen recapturing the St Pauls Wharf Pier (engraving) by English School

Miseries of London: Entering upon any of the bridges of London or any of the passages leading to the Thames being assailed by a groupe [sic] of watermen holding up their hands and bawling out

Arrival at Brandenburg House of the Watermen, etc with an Address to the Queen
Arrival at Brandenburg House of the Watermen, etc. with an Address to the Queen on the 3rd October 1820, pub. 1821 (coloured engraving)

Her Majestys Watermen, (c1897). Artist: E&S Woodbury
Her Majestys Watermen, (c1897). From Sixty Years A Queen: The Story of Her Majestys Reign, by Sir Herbert Maxwell. [Harmsworth Bros, Limited, London, c1897]

The Kings Watermen by Byam Shaw
The Kings watermen, who are present at Royal occasions when rowers are required, and who, in 1911, took part in the Coronation procession of King George V. Date: 1911

View of the Bridge over the Thames at Hampton Court, engraved by John Bowles (fl
BAL5616 View of the Bridge over the Thames at Hampton Court, engraved by John Bowles (fl. 1724-56) (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, Surrey, UK; English

Catching a Whale off Deptford Pier, London, 1842
Engraving showing a 15 foot, 2 ton, whale being caught at Deptford Pier, London, in 1842. This whale had been swimming down the River Thames when it was sighted by watermen on the pier

Queen Caroline Popular
The immense popular support for Queen Caroline is vividly demonstrated when the Thames watermen gather to address her at Brandebnurgh House, backed by boat-loads of well-wishers

Thames Ferryboat
A traveller waits to be ferried across the Thames, at a time when London Bridge is the only bridge over the river; at this time there are some 40, 000 Thames watermen

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Watermen have long been an integral part of the vibrant history and culture surrounding the River Thames in London. From the thrilling Doggetts Coat and Badge Race to their role as essential transporters on the "Silent Highway, " these skilled individuals have left an indelible mark on this iconic waterway. The Doggetts Coat and Badge Race, a tradition dating back to 1715, showcases the incredible athleticism and competitive spirit of watermen. As they row fiercely along the River Thames, spectators cheer them on, eagerly awaiting the finish line at London's historic landmarks. In 1804, a captivating painting titled "Thames Waterman" immortalized these hardworking men who relied on their strength and expertise to navigate through bustling river traffic. Their dedication was further recognized when Queen Victoria appointed them as Queens Bargemasters during her reign. London Bridge stood witness to countless stories plying their trade since 1757. They skillfully maneuvered their boats under its arches, transporting passengers across the river with precision and grace. Waterloo Bridge also played host to these dedicated individuals in the early 1900s as they continued serving Londoners with unwavering commitment. Feathers Boat House stands as a testament to both tradition and innovation within this profession. Its walls witnessed generations honing their skills before embarking upon journeys that would shape not only their lives but also those who depended on them for transportation along Ryde's shores in Isle of Wight circa 1840. A bronze Watermans arm badge proudly worn by one such individual from Ryde serves as a symbol of honor bestowed upon those who mastered this ancient craft. It represents years spent perfecting techniques passed down through generations while navigating treacherous waters with utmost care. During Queen Victoria's coronation parade, The Queens Bargemaster led a procession comprising forty-eight watermen—a sight that epitomized both regality and the integral role these men played in London's history.