River Thames
The Thames has always been a river of commerce. In Peter Ackroyd’s words once more, the watercress-growers of Gravesend, the biscuit-bakers and store-shippers of Tooley Street, the ship-chandlers of Wapping, the block-makers and rope-makers of Limehouse, all owe their trades to the Thames. The great paintings of its business, with its warehouses, refineries, breweries and builders’ yards, all bear testimony to its power and authority.
Peter would have been held in awe at the sites and sounds as he travelled back and forth along the river. There was a vast range of vessels to interest an eleven year old as they plied their trade on the great river.
Peter would have begged rides from the work-boats, pikers, rush-boats, oyster-boats, whelk-boats and tide-boats. The river thronged with barges barks and ferry boats. The city itself owes its character and appearance to the Thames.
