Woolwich Free Ferry

The Woolwich Ferry Paddle Steamers


The John Benn

 The John Benn from the deck of one of the other ferries.
Photograph W.D. Chalklin.

The first two ships were the Gordon and the Duncan built in 1888 by R.H. Green. The Hutton joined them later, built in 1893 by William Simons and Co Ltd. 

The Gordon was named after General Gordon the hero of Khartoum (1833 - 1885). 
The Duncan after Colonel Francis Duncan (1836 - 1888) Author of 'The history of the Royal Artillery'. 
The Hutton after Charles Hutton (1737 - 1823) professor of mathematics at the Woolwich Academy 

All three have the same specifications:- 

      •     Length                 164 ft 
      •     Breadth                 60 ft 
      •     Draught                 4 ft 
      •     Tonnage                 490 tons 
      •     Speed                     8 knots 
      •     Capacity               1000 passengers and 15 - 20 vehicles 

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The Gordon in mid stream seen in 1960
Photograph with thanks Ronald Pickrell

These boats were eventually replaced by four newer paddle steamers. Both the Squires and Gordon were built by Samuel White and Co in 1922. 

The Gordon was named like it's predecessor after General Gordon. 
The Squire after William James Squires twice mayor of Woolwich and and a one time chairman of the Woolwich Building Society. 
 

        • Length                 172 ft 
        • Breadth                 62 ft 
        • Draught                 4 ft 6 ins 
        • Tonnage                 625 tons 
        • Speed                     8 knots 
        • Capacity               1000 passengers and 15 - 20 vehicles

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The next two went into service to join the Gordon and Squires in 1930.  They were the Will Crooks and John Benn. These were also built by Samuel White and Co Ltd. 

The Will Crooks was named after William Crooks (1852 - 1921) Woolwich's first labour MP. He also served on the LCC and was Mayor of Poplar. 
The John Benn after Sir John Benn (1850 - 1922), he was an ancestor of Tony Benn, he was a one time member of the LCC. 
 

        • Length                 172 ft 
        • Breadth                62 ft 
        • Draught                4 ft 9 ins 
        • Tonnage                625 tons 
        • Speed                    8 knots 
        • Capacity               1000 passengers and 15 - 20 vehicles 

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