Salters Steamers
Encyclopedia
Salters Steamers, formerly known as Salter Bros, is an old family firm based around boating
on the River Thames
, originally established in 1858. The company runs passenger services in summer along the whole length of the River Thames between Oxford
and Staines
. They also hire boats from Oxford (at Folly Bridge
), Reading
, Henley-on-Thames
and Windsor
. In Oxford in particular, punt
s are available.
s at Christ Church Meadow, used over many years as a base for the various colleges for the sport of rowing
. These have now all been replaced by boat houses.
On the death of John Salter, the firm passed to his three sons (John, James and George) and become known as Salter Bros, building boats. In 1888, the company started a steam boat service between Oxford and Kingston upon Thames
, using the boat Alaska, previously bought in 1883.
Alaska was built in 1883 as a private vessel but was purchased in 1886 by Salters who used her from 1887 to start their Oxford to Kingston return service. Alaska is still operating today under the management of Thames Steamers Limited.
The service between Oxford and Kingston operated until the 1960s. The entire journey took three days. When the through service became uneconomic the company concentrated on local services between Folly Bridge, Oxford and Abingdon
, Reading and Henley, Marlow
and Windsor and Windsor and Staines.
, on the Thames.
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, originally established in 1858. The company runs passenger services in summer along the whole length of the River Thames between Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and Staines
Staines
Staines is a Thames-side town in the Spelthorne borough of Surrey and Greater London Urban Area, as well as the London Commuter Belt of South East England. It is a suburban development within the western bounds of the M25 motorway and located 17 miles west south-west of Charing Cross in...
. They also hire boats from Oxford (at Folly Bridge
Folly Bridge
Folly Bridge is a stone bridge over the River Thames carrying the Abingdon Road, south from the centre of Oxford, England. It was erected 1825–27, to designs of a little-known architect, Ebenezer Perry , who practiced in London....
), Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
and Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
. In Oxford in particular, punt
Punt (boat)
A punt is a flat-bottomed boat with a square-cut bow, designed for use in small rivers or other shallow water. Punting refers to boating in a punt. The punter generally propels the punt by pushing against the river bed with a pole...
s are available.
History
The firm was established when John and Stephen Salter took over Isaac King's boat building firm based at Folly Bridge in Oxford. They built many of the beautiful Oxford University bargeBarge
A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...
s at Christ Church Meadow, used over many years as a base for the various colleges for the sport of rowing
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
. These have now all been replaced by boat houses.
On the death of John Salter, the firm passed to his three sons (John, James and George) and become known as Salter Bros, building boats. In 1888, the company started a steam boat service between Oxford and Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
, using the boat Alaska, previously bought in 1883.
Alaska was built in 1883 as a private vessel but was purchased in 1886 by Salters who used her from 1887 to start their Oxford to Kingston return service. Alaska is still operating today under the management of Thames Steamers Limited.
The service between Oxford and Kingston operated until the 1960s. The entire journey took three days. When the through service became uneconomic the company concentrated on local services between Folly Bridge, Oxford and Abingdon
Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Abingdon or archaically Abingdon-on-Thames is a market town and civil parish in Oxfordshire, England. It is the seat of the Vale of White Horse district. Previously the county town of Berkshire, Abingdon is one of several places that claim to be Britain's oldest continuously occupied town, with...
, Reading and Henley, Marlow
Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Marlow is a town and civil parish within Wycombe district in south Buckinghamshire, England...
and Windsor and Windsor and Staines.
Current services
More recently, Salters passenger services have been reintroduced between Abingdon, Wallingford and Reading, and between Henley and Marlow. Through journeys are therefore again possible, with changes of boats. The journey between Oxford and Staines takes 4 days.Original steamer
An original 'Salters Steamer' from 1898, the SL Nuneham, built by Edwin Clarke, has been restored to full working order as a steam-powered excursion trip boat working from RunnymedeRunnymede
Runnymede is a water-meadow alongside the River Thames in the English county of Berkshire, and just over west of central London. It is notable for its association with the sealing of Magna Carta, and as a consequence is the site of a collection of memorials...
, on the Thames.