Twickenham Ferry
Encyclopedia
The Twickenham Ferry, sometimes known as Dysart's Ferry, was a historic ferry
crossing of the River Thames
in the western suburbs of London
, England
. The ferry connected a location just downstream to Eel Pie Island
in the town of Twickenham
on the northern bank of the river with Ham House on the southern bank. It should not be confused with today's Hammerton's Ferry
, which crosses the river some distance downstream of the route of the Twickenham Ferry.
The earliest documentary reference to its existence known is in an ordinance
of the Privy Council dated 19 August 1652, in which it was listed, with others, prohibiting use after sundown except by special dispensation. The right to licence ferrymen was always claimed by the owners of Ham House, notably the Dysart family. The earliest known ferryman was Richard Blower, licensed prior to 1692.
Over the years several rival ferries were operated. One, in the 1740s, was the subject of a court case brought by the Earl of Dysart
and as a result closed down. Twickenham Ferry features in Charles Dickens
's novel Little Dorrit
when Arthur Clennam visited Meagles and crossed to Ham and back one morning. It is further commemorated in a song of 1878 written and composed by Theo Marzials
(1850–1920).
The rival Hammerton's ferry commenced operation in 1908. The Earl of Dysart again brought legal action against the operator, but this time he lost and the rival ferry remained in operation. When ownership of Ham House was transferred to the National Trust
in 1948, ownership of the Twickenham Ferry was transferred to a private operator. After further changes in ownership, a decline in traffic and a long dispute about the right of way down the slipway on the Twickenham side it finally closed in about 1970.
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
crossing of 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,...
in the western suburbs of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The ferry connected a location just downstream to Eel Pie Island
Eel Pie Island
Eel Pie Island is an island in the River Thames in England at Twickenham, in the Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London. It is situated on the Tideway and can be reached only by footbridge or boat...
in the town of Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
on the northern bank of the river with Ham House on the southern bank. It should not be confused with today's Hammerton's Ferry
Hammerton's Ferry
Hammerton's Ferry is a pedestrian and cycle ferry service across the River Thames in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London, England. The ferry links the northern bank near Marble Hill House in Twickenham with the southern bank near Ham House in Ham...
, which crosses the river some distance downstream of the route of the Twickenham Ferry.
Decree
A decree is a rule of law issued by a head of state , according to certain procedures . It has the force of law...
of the Privy Council dated 19 August 1652, in which it was listed, with others, prohibiting use after sundown except by special dispensation. The right to licence ferrymen was always claimed by the owners of Ham House, notably the Dysart family. The earliest known ferryman was Richard Blower, licensed prior to 1692.
Over the years several rival ferries were operated. One, in the 1740s, was the subject of a court case brought by the Earl of Dysart
Earl of Dysart
Earl of Dysart is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1643 for William Murray, who had earlier represented Fowey and East Looe in the English House of Commons. He was made Lord Huntingtower at the same time, also in the Peerage of Scotland. He was succeeded by his daughter, the...
and as a result closed down. Twickenham Ferry features in Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
's novel Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit is a serial novel by Charles Dickens published originally between 1855 and 1857. It is a work of satire on the shortcomings of the government and society of the period....
when Arthur Clennam visited Meagles and crossed to Ham and back one morning. It is further commemorated in a song of 1878 written and composed by Theo Marzials
Theo Marzials
Théophile-Jules-Henri "Theo" Marzials was a British composer, singer and poet. Marzials was described in 1894 as a "poet and eccentric" by parodist Max Beerbohm, and, after writing and performing several popular songs, vanished into obscurity...
(1850–1920).
The rival Hammerton's ferry commenced operation in 1908. The Earl of Dysart again brought legal action against the operator, but this time he lost and the rival ferry remained in operation. When ownership of Ham House was transferred to the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
in 1948, ownership of the Twickenham Ferry was transferred to a private operator. After further changes in ownership, a decline in traffic and a long dispute about the right of way down the slipway on the Twickenham side it finally closed in about 1970.