tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9057767258806335942.post4034832665318117731..comments2023-05-04T12:44:42.344+01:00Comments on Natalie Kleinman <br>Freelance Writer: The Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River ThamesNatalie Kleinmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07265317179242075411noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9057767258806335942.post-40638449884785272432020-07-15T12:20:48.500+01:002020-07-15T12:20:48.500+01:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00781006565268967356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9057767258806335942.post-83813178508031553872015-11-29T22:30:48.603+00:002015-11-29T22:30:48.603+00:00So glad you enjoyed it, John. I left so much more ...So glad you enjoyed it, John. I left so much more out of the piece than I was able to put in.Natalie Kleinmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15467444870404220824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9057767258806335942.post-20522351065749869202015-11-29T22:15:43.479+00:002015-11-29T22:15:43.479+00:00Hi Natalie,
A fascinating piece.
When I was a juni...Hi Natalie,<br />A fascinating piece.<br />When I was a junior officer, on ships running up the Thames to the old East India Docks, we would take a pilot as usual to guide us up the river. We would also take a waterman, a guild member, who would steer the ship under the Pilot's advice. The Pilots would be Trinity House trained and certified, but the Watermen would all come from the Watermen and Lightermen's guild.<br /><br />As you pointed out a great example of a "Working Guild"<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />JohnJohn Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02095349741824511293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9057767258806335942.post-15001145613213768532015-11-29T14:20:54.512+00:002015-11-29T14:20:54.512+00:00Thank you, Elaine. One of the things that struck m...Thank you, Elaine. One of the things that struck me quite forcibly was the way the members pull(ed) together - and I don't mean by using their oars. So much history - I barely touched on it in this piece. If anybody fancies getting a group together I'd certainly go again!Natalie Kleinmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15467444870404220824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9057767258806335942.post-90336742434361077132015-11-29T14:06:21.446+00:002015-11-29T14:06:21.446+00:00A lovely piece. This is a subject that has fascina...A lovely piece. This is a subject that has fascinated me since was a child. Erith, where I was born and bred, is a town by the Thames and many locals were Thames Waterman. I have known people whose ancestors won the Doggett's Coat and Badge and came from my town. A shame that Doggett died a pauper (buried in Eltham) but wonderful that his name lives on. I'd hoped to include the race in one of my books but for obvious reasons it did not run during much of WW2Elaine Everesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14202264445526075693noreply@blogger.com