THAMES PATH: DEPTFORD to NORTH GREENWICH (Cable Car)

On this chapter:

-riverside towards CHARLTON and the THAMES BARRIER

-diversion to GREENWICH TOWN CENTRE, GREENWICH PARK and BLACKHEATH

-shortcut across the NORTH GREENWICH PENINSULA to ECOLOGY PARK

The North Greenwich or Greenwich Peninsula area is dealt with, as well, in SE LONDON (3). See the chapter dedicated to the route from Blackheath to Greenwich Peninsula

Along STOWAGE (street)

Student accommodation.

STOWAGE?. STORAGE!

The street still follows a winding route dating from the 17th century (the beginning of the entire area as a trade and seafaring one. LThe site between the street and the river has been, together with a similar site on the Greenwich side of Deptford Creek, transformed in the last few years by the Greenwich Reach development, linked with the regeneration programme called Creekside Renewal . The creek has been cleaned up,, a riverside walk has been created, and a community boatyard; a new Creekmouth footbridge to the Greenwich side, where a massive development designed by Broadway Malyan has been built. The original project included a cruise liner terminal, hotel, shopping, a cinema complex, and other leisure and entertainment facilities. But, as on the Stowage site, it has resulted only in a new housing development.

This site has from the 16th through to this century been one of the most important in Deptford's history, having been the base for Trinity House, the East India Company, the General Steam Navigation Company, and a pioneering Power

The "Stowage" name refers to a storage area, particularly associated with the East India Company and the General Steam Navigation Company. The name likely originates from the historical use of the area for storing goods and materials, especially during the East India Company's presence from 1600 until 1782. The area encompassed a wider region, including the site of Deptford Power Station, which was built on the former warehouse site,

Site of TRINITY HOUSE

The guild of mariners was cheer in 1511, and it was given a charter by HVIII IN 1514.The CORPORATION later became respo for licensing the Thames pilots, charting the coastline, erect. erecting buoys and all type of navigational structures throughout England and Wales, and clearing ballast from the river.

In 1660 it moved to TOWER HILL, but every TRINITY MONDAY a new council was elected here until mid 19th c.

Site of DEPTFORD ‘LOWER GROUND’ ALMSHOUSES

This land, on which the original almshouses at Deptford were built, was in the possession of the Guild before its incorporation by Henry VIII in 1514; the hall and almshouses which formerly stood on the site were built in the 15th century for “decayed Masters of Ships and their Widows.” This triangular plot of land was situated in the Stowage at Deptford, not far from the river. The original almshouses and great hall of the Corporation were demolished and rebuilt in 1660; by 1788 they had become ruinous again and were taken down and again rebuilt on the same site. The residents were removed from these houses about 1863 and the premises were let. Many coloured glass panes from the hall with merchants’ marks survive as the only record of the early Masters and Wardens of the Corporation, and today adorn the windows in the library at Trinity House. Nothing of the Deptford estates remains today.

https://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/about-us/history-of-trinity-house/almshouse-history

Site of the EAST INDIA COMPANY

1600-1782. It had the sole trading rights to the EAST INDIES. Later it would become an agency of the Br. Government.

Site of the GENERAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY

F. here and remained here until 1970, it was the world’s first commercial steamship company.

Site of DEPTFORD POWER STATION

In 1889 SEBASTIAN DE FERRANTI established here the first high pressure power station

Statue of future Czar Peter the Great

One of the lads, he thought nothing of downing a few bevies with his mates, racing them around in wheelbarrows and devastating an expensive, showpiece garden in the process.

He was also seen with some of the most desirable women in town, but in true laddish fashion treated his totty with disdain.

But this same Jack-the-Lad, recorded in history as Peter The Great, or Super-Tsar, avidly devoured western culture and technology to transform Russia from a backward country to a world

Exhibition Curator Helene Mitchell explained: "If Peter the Great were alive today he could best be likened to a pop star, trashing hotel rooms perhaps, but enjoying a huge public following.

"In genius and energy, Peter was the wonder of his age, a legendary figure. He created a personality cult-not just in his native Russia, but throughout western Europe."

The enigma of the notorious rogue turned charismatic statesman is captured in an impressive exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, which marks the 300th anniversary of the Tsar's eventful visit to England.

Peter was the first Tsar of Russia to explore western Europe.

His predecessors had been autocratic rulers of a vast, largely unknown land which was essentially oriental in outlook.

Only 25 years old when he left Moscow in 1697, the young ruler led a Great Embassy of some 250 compatriots and a few foreign advisors to Amsterdam, London and Vienna.

The Tsar was ostensibly in search of allies for his war against the Turks, but Peter was mainly interested in acquiring knowledge and skills from technologically advanced Europeans.

He was eager to avoid the constraints of protocol and travelled incognito. But his great height-six ft seven ins-and eccentric behaviour ensured widespread curiosity.

Peter visited at a time when England was one of the most powerful countries in the world. The economy was booming, the Royal Navy ruled the seas, and Peter was determined to take some of England's know-how back to Russia.

Peter's yacht anchored near London Bridge on 11 January

1698 and he was greeted by King William III.

Irom this point, Peter and his entourage experienced as much as they could of the English way of life during their stay of almost four months.

Peter was inquisitive about most things —navigation, coinage, gun-founding, religion and medicine-but his main interest was shipbuilding.

This led him to spend much of his time in Deptford, living in diarist John Evelyn's home at Sayes Court, which was next to the Royal Dockyard

Peter had worked in the yards of Amsterdam and Zaandam, where methods were practical, but wanted to learn the theories underpinning these skills.

He acquired accurate ship plans to take back to Russia and received instruction from the leading master shipwrights in the land.

He went on to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich to discuss mathematics, navigation and astronomy with Edmund Halley and John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal.

He avoided protocol where he could, paying only one offi-

cial visit to Kensington Palace.

He sought out places that stimulated him and satisfied his burning curiosity, often going by foot and asking questions of people he met on the streets or in the taverns.

He sought the numerous small, specialist workshops in Clerkenwell

and Fleet Street, collecting new instruments and acquiring the latest skills.

Peter also spent time at the Royal Mint-then at the Tower of London-Woolwich Arsenal, the Royal Society and Lambeth Palace.

He observed democracy at work in Westminster, but was equally intrigued by the skills of London's barbers and undertakers.

Peter's exuberance meant he also played hard, spending much

of his visit drinking brandy and peppers.

While at Sayes Court he left carpets smeared and stained with ink, paintwork chipped away, windows broken, burned 50 chairs on a stove and tore paintings he used for target practice.

e destroyed Sayes Court gardens, which had taken 45 years to lay out. He flattened Evelyn's pride and joy, the nine ft high holly hedges, and ravaged the bowling green, bush-

es and trees during wheelbarrow races with his entourage.

Royal Surveyor Sir Christopher Wren estimated damage to the house and garden at £350 and ninepence—a huge total at the time.

Peter also caused damage to the buildings and various navigational instruments during his visit to the Royal Observatory.

He had a leading actress of the day, Laetitia Cross, as his mis-tress. She moved in for the duration of the stay on the understanding she would be paid handsomely.

However, Peter's gift was measly and he ungraciously remarked:

"This harlot served me indifferently with what she has to give which is worthless."

The exhibition is at the Queen's House in the grounds of the museum. Exhibits include an impressive painting of Peter by Sir Godfrey Kneller, from the Royal Collection; outsized gloves worn by Peter; and two ship models, presented to Peter by King William, and loaned from collections in St Petersburg.

Various medals, artefacts and engravings are included, and a number of historic letters, among them Wren's invoice for the damage at Sayes Court.

An epic Victorian painting of Peter by Maclise shows the Tsar at work in Deptford Dockyard, the sombre figure of William III to the right and his mistress Laetitia Cross to the left.

he painting has many anachronisms,

They include the

roof over the dockyard

-built after Peter's visit—and a sex-

tant which was not invented until later.

Peter's cult status meant a Petrine vogue developed in the decorative arts, and commemorative pieces were produced and bought in abundance.

Peter left London to start a remorseless drive to drag Russia into the 18th century. The price was high, but he founded a great city and a considerable navy.

He forced social change and insisted on westernisation. At his death in 1725, Russia coutd be said to have joined Europe.

Despite his achievements, history remains ambivalent as to his

character and methods.

He undoubtedly rejuvenated his Russia, leaving a lasting impression on his contemporaries...and hey, if he could cause that much mayhem with a wheelbarrow, what would he be like on a powerful motorbike?!

DEPTFORD CREEK is the mouth of the RIVER RAVENSBOURNE

This lost river of London rises at Caesar's Well in KESTON PONDS (which is 4 miles south of Bromley town centre) and then flows through the London Boroughs of Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich where it then joins the River Thames at Deptford, where its 1/2 mile muddy tidal reach is known as Deptford Creek.

Here: a site of battles and shelter for invading fleets.

From MILLENIUM QUAY to NEW CAPITAL QUAY. A Swing Bridge

Costing £5 million a cable-stayed swing bridge has been assembled (fabricated in YORKSHIRE) in 2014 to enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross the tidal Deptford Creek safely. The crossing will enable those using the Thames Path to remain near the riverbank as they cross the creek rather than venture inland to use Creek Bridge. The new pedestrian crossing at the mouth of the creek is a 44 m long, 3.6 m wide single-mast, cable-stayed swing bridge. It has been positioned so that if it were to remain closed during high tide it would still provide 2.8 m of clearance above mean high water during spring tides, according to figures provided by Flint & Neill. Ramps and stairs will provide access to the deck of the bridge from both sides of the Creek.

A sculptural form suggestive of ORIGAMI. The bridge’s superstructure is a sculptural steel box made of painted weathering steel. The front span is 44 m long and 700 mm deep. Counterbalancing the front span is a 9 m long, 1.2 m deep back span containing 120 metric tonnes of steel. There is a 15 m tall mast that extends above the pier and holds three cables that attach to the front span in order to hold up the nose of the bridge as it rotates.

While it is common to light such bridges with floodlights at night – to highlight their form – the Environment Agency is keen to protect fish species in the area by not spilling a lot of artificial light on the river. Functional lighting has been kept to a minimum. The bridge includes discreet handrail lights so that people can use the bridge at night, but there are no floodlights and the soffit of the bridge has been created using a dark colour palette to minimise reflections into the water.

The control system is on the Eastern side. A triple-locked and password protected system, operated by the same personnel that operates the CREEK ROAD bridge.

https://knowyourlondon.wordpress.com/2017/03/31/deptford-creek-pedestrian-swing-bridge/

Along the main road

Deptford Creek Bridge

FERRY to PETER BOAT ALEHOUSE. 1804. Footbridge. 1809. Larger bridge, and BRIDGE STREET (now CREEK ROAD) was put through to GREENWICH.
With its control tower, itvdates from 1954. The first roadbridge here was built here in 1815. A footbridge existed since 1804. PRIOR AGGREGATES occupies BREWERY WHARF

THE HOY INN P.H.

After the footbridge

Greenwich

Along Creek Road

ST.ALFAGE with ST.PETER SCHOOL

Thriller writer EDGAR WALLACE was a pupil here. He was born in GREENWICH, in 1875, and grew up in demolished NORWAY COURT

THE GATE CLOCK, A JD WETHERSPOON PH

UP THE CREEK: COMEDY CLUB

Site of the FERRY (HORSEFERRY PLACE)

There has been a ferry service between the southern tip of the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich since at least the 17th century, the early ferry was called Potter’s Ferry whose rights were coveted by Watermen who wished to control this lucrative route. Up to 1812 the Ferry was limited to foot passengers but then a horse ferry was established.

One of the most ambitious ferry crossing was proposed in the 1880s when the Greenwich Ferry Company developed a ferry system that would enable large amounts of cargo to be transferred across the river. The ingenious part of the ferry was the landing platforms which was raised and lowered according to the tide. This allowed the heavy trucks and carriages to have a smooth access to and from the boat.

https://isleofdogslife.wordpress.com/2013/11/12/the-greenwich-steam-ferry-1888/

https://www.theunfinishedcity.co.uk/2024/03/greenwich-steam-ferry.html

https://islandhistory.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/potters-ferry/

WOOD WHARF

It looked industrial not so long ago.

BILLINGSGATE DOCK

In existence since the Middle Ages, it was widened and improved following the closure of the THE SHIP DOCK

https://www.layersoflondon.org/map/records/billingsgate-dock-and-street-greenwich

GREENWICH FOOT TUNNEL to the ISLAND GARDENS, ISLE OF DOGS

CUTTY SARK

Greenwich Pier

THE OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE

Site of ROYAL PALACE, then GREENWICH HOSPITAL , then ROYAL NAVAL HOSPITAL, now UNIVERSITY and other uses

Visit Greenwich Information Desk, introductory museum, shop and eateries

Walter Raleigh statue

New Zealand Obelisk

Diversion here

THE GIPSY MOTH P.H.

Street Food

Shops and eateries

See next chapter: GREENWICH TOWN CENTRE and diversion to GREENWICH PARK and BLACKHEATH

BELLOT MEMORIAL

5 feet PASSAGE

OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE

KING CHARLES COURT (WING)

LABAN

WATERGATE

Statue

QUEEN ANNE COURT (WING)

UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH

THE TRAFALGAR TAVERN

Artwork: ADMIRAL NELSON

THE YATCH P.H.

Thames flood level markers (3 memorials)

TRINITY ALMSHOUSES

POWER STATION

THE CUTTY SARK P.H.

ANCHOR IRON WHARF

On the base of the monument:}

Anchor Iron Wharf
In 964 King Edgar granted this land to the abbey of St Peter's in Ghent, Flanders. Henry V re-possessed it in 1414. After the English civil war Charles II granted the land to Sir William Boreman in 1676. He was clerk to the Board of Green Cloth and involved with the design of Greenwich Park. He also founded Green Coat School. In 1699 his widow sold the estate of Old Court Manor to Sir John Morden. He had already built Morden College in 1695 to accommodate merchants who had lost their estates by accidents and perils of the seas.
In 1705 Sir Ambrose Crowley, an iron-maker, moved to a riverside mansion which he renamed Crowley House and built Crowley's Wharf. In 1953 Charles Robinson moved his premises to what became Anchor Iron & Crowley's Wharf. The principal cargoes were scrap iron, lead ingots, metal and glass.

{On the lower small plaque:}
Anchor Iron, 2004
Wendy Taylor CBE
Commissioned by Berkeley Homes South-East London Ltd.

https://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/crowley-house?memorial_id=11195

PORT OF LONDON AUTHORITY BUILDING

Welcome to the GREENWICH PENINSULA

Possible shortcut through the NORTH GREENWICH PENINSULA to

Again, the riverside, along the banks of the NORTH GREENWICH PENINSULA

HISTORIC MAP: https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.9&lat=51.49731&lon=-0.00032&layers=225&b=ESRIWorld&o=100

ENDERBY HOUSE

Now, a PUB

First submarine Atlantic cable

In the 1850's the site was bought by Glass Elliot, a pioneering company in the the new submarine cable industry, and here the first Atlantic cable was made. Submarine cables were made at Enderby's Wharf until 1975, and part of the site was still in use today by Alcatel Submarine Networks.

MORDEN WHARF

VICTORIA DEEP WATER TERMINAL

Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range

Entrance gatehouse of the BLACKWALL OLD TUNNEL

MAGAZINE LONDON. Events space

Magazine London is a state-of-the-art venue that can flex to meet your most ambitious ideas. At over 3,000 square metres, the site is one of the largest purpose-built hybrid spaces in London, with four distinctive internal spaces and a riverside Showground. At 9,700 square metres, The Showground has an outdoor capacity of up to 7,000 people, uninterrupted views of the city skyline and is the only site on the Thames that can accommodate drone show take offs.