Margaret Ness Lighthouse
LEFT (south) bank point marking the transition from Barking Creek into Gallions Reach
Said to be so named because beyond this point sailing vessels heading inland were forbidden
to carry anchors cable hung ready to let go ("a-cock-bill" or "cock billed")
1860: Rules and Bye-Laws -
No vessel shall navigate or lie in the river with its anchor or anchors a cock bill, except while fishing such anchor or anchors, or during such time as may be absolutely necessary for getting such vessel under weigh, or for bringing it to anchor.
Digest of Maritime Law cases -
A brig having her anchor a-cock-bill (that is, hanging down over her bow by its ring from the cathead), held liable for damage caused by collision in the Thames with a schooner which had just hove in stays, and had no way. (The Nimble, Adm. C, Dec 5th 1843)
1878: SS Princess Alice was sunk off Tripcock Point in Gallions Reach. Princess Alice disaster, 640 fatalities
Margaret Ness Lighthouse
On the Kent bank 11 miles from London Bridge is London's nearest lighthouse; Margaret Ness light nestles on hard ground on the river side of the flood defence bank on which is a cycle track and coastal path littered with the wrecks of joy rider's stolen burnt out cars and other items of rubbish that people have felt fit to dump there. The red iron framework tower is surrounded by a sharp pointed metal fence and topped with razor wire. The compound gate carries a health warning of the dangers of razor wire; the danger of climbing the tower; and other health and security warnings in an attempt to keep vandals out and the Port of London Authority free from litigation. It was established in 1902 and today at 30 feet high shows a light visible for 8 miles
1789: Map shows "Tripcock Trees"
RIGHT (northwest) bank entrance into Royal Albert Dock
South of the Royal Albert Dock - between it and the King George V Dock is
London City Airport.
1934: The PLA Monthly, April -
In the foreground of this view is the King George V Dock, opened by HM the King in July 1921
On the right is the Royal Albert Dock and in the distance the Royal Victoria Dock.
The three are connected and form a combined water area of 245 acres,
the largest sheet of enclosed dock water in the world.
RIGHT (northwest) bank Gallions Reach entrance into King George V Dock
1939: The Mauritania went through this lock with inches to spare.
RIGHT (northwest) bank point as Gallions Reach turns from southwest to west
700m on the LEFT (southeast) bank, the otherside of the A2016
LEFT (southwest) bank, historic site of armaments and research depot.
First known as "The Warren"
1671: The Warren in Tower Place was established as an Ordnance Storage Depot
1695: An ammunition laboratory (the Royal Laboratory) was added
1717: A gun foundry (the Royal Brass Foundry) was established
1777: The site occupied 104 acres, convict labour was used to construct a 2.5 mile long
brick boundary wall, generally 8 feet high.
1804: The boundary wall was raised to 20 feet near the Plumstead road, and to 15 feet in other parts.
181416: The Ordnance Canal was dug by convict labour.
1805: The site became known as the Royal Arsenal as the suggestion of King George III
The arsenal was particularly importand during the Crimean War;
the First World War (when the site reached 1300 acres);
and in the Second World War when over 30,000 people worked there.
1967: The Woolwich Royal Ordnance Factories closed
1994: The Royal Arsenal ceased to be a military establishment
LEFT (south) bank pier 250m downstream of Woolwich Ferry used by Thames Clippers