Some history on Woolwich in London

London | Woolwich

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© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

Dating from around 1910, this photograph shows the "Gordon," a ferry paddle steamer that offered a free river crossing between Woolwich and North Woolwich from March 1889. The vessel was named after General Gordon of Khartoum. The ferry was formally opened by Lord Rosebery, chairman of the London County Council. It was made a festive event, the streets leading to North Woolwich pier were profusely decorated. Flags were floated on steamers or waved from tall masts, with triumphal arches, along with other features of a gala day. A bridge crossing had been ruled out, so designs for the piers were drawn up by Sir Joseph Bazalgette, and the work carried out by Messrs. John Mowlem and Co. Once up and running, a sister vessel named "Duncan", after the Royal Artillery officer turned politician, was launched during the following month. The vessels were 164 feet in length by 42 feet beam, each capable of carrying 1,000 passengers, as well as horses and vehicles. They were constructed by Messrs. Green Brothers of Poplar, fitted with double engines of 700-horse power by Penn and Co.¹ A third side-loading ferry called "Hutton" was later introduced. Although replaced during the inter-war years, paddle steamers continued to operate across the Thames until the 1963 when they were replaced by diesel-driven vessels.²

© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

Designed by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice and built by Walter Scott & Middleton, the Woolwich Foot Tunnel was opened by Lord Cheylesmore, Chairman of the London County Council, in October 1912. The tunnel has been measured to 1,655 feet and is 69 feet deep, so is longer and deeper than the Greenwich foot tunnel. It advanced by around 10 feet per day when it was excavated manually around the clock.³ In the old licensing days, the pubs of North Woolwich closed at 22.30hrs which often saw a mad dash through the foot tunnel so that another beer could be ordered at Woolwich where the boozers did not call time until thirty minutes later.

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© Photo taken by author on August 2nd, 2019. DO NOT COPY

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"At Woolwich police-court on Wednesday, before Mr. A. E. Gill, Alfred Hart, of 104, Murillo Road, Lee, was summoned for riding a bicycle in Woolwich Foot Tunnel. Police-Constable 715 R proved the case, and defendant, who did not appear. was fined 5s."
"Riding In A Foot Tunnel"
Lewisham Borough News : December 11th 1914 Page 3

"An unknown man was found seriously ill in Woolwich foot tunnel yesterday and died on the way to Plumstead Infirmary. He was forty years of age; 5ft. 7in. in height; pale complexion and wearing a light fawn overcoat, dark grey coat and vest, blue trousers, blue and white Oxford shirt, blue and white scarf, grey cap, brown leather belt, black socks and lace boots."
"Death In A Tunnel"
Sunday Mirror : March 7th 1926 Page 3

"At Woolwich Police Court, on Friday, William Daniels, 33, Dock Street, North Woolwich, was summoned by Laura Chester, 160, Elizabeth Street, North Woolwich, for assault. Mr. F. H. Braund appeared for the complainant, who said that as she was going through Woolwich Foot Tunnel with her daughter they met defendant and his wife. Words passed and defendant put his fist into her neck, forcing her against the tunnel wall. Defendant, who said he did not touch the complainant, was bound over for a year and ordered to pay 10s. 6d. costs, the magistrate remarking that he had no doubt that Daniels pushed Mrs. Chester under serious provocation."
"Scene In Foot Tunnel"
West Ham & South Essex Mail : August 6th 1926 Page 4

"New regulations for the Woolwich foot tunnel were adopted by the London County Council on Tuesday. Pedal cycles and perambulators are to be excluded from the tunnel during busy periods, except on Sundays or Bank Holidays, or when the ferry is not working. At busy times, also, the lifts will be used only for taking people out of the tunnel. Another regulation is that "No person shall drive or conduct into the tunnel any cattle, or any animal forming part a menagerie, or wild animal."
"Woolwich Tunnel : New Regulations"
Bromley & West Kent Mercury : July 22nd 1938 Page 6

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References
1. "The Woolwich Ferry" : London Daily News; March 25th, 1889. p.7.
2. "Thames Ferry Paddle Steamers Put Up For Sale" : Coventry Evening Telegraph; May 22nd, 1963. p.1.
3. "Woolwich Tunnel : Opening Ceremony By Lord Cheylesmore" : Shoreditch Observer; November 2nd, 1912. p.3.

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