|
|
Landmylles Lock,
noted but not mapped, was somewhere between Old Ford and Bow. See below
under Bow Locks
BOW CREEK
British Waterways
A
journey on to the tidal Bow Creek can include a trip upstream past
Prescott Cut and Sluice, (above right) built in the 1930’s flood relief
scheme and named after
Sir William Prescott, the then chairman of the Lee Conservancy Board. The sluice was provided to retain
the rising water so that the
tide driven wheels at Three Mills could operate over a longer period.
This is the site of
the new Prescott Lock (above left), rendering the Waterworks
River non-tidal and providing access for waterborne commercial
construction traffic to the Olympic site. Possibly to save any
thoughts of mis-attribution in the future, the name was changed to
Three Mills Lock shortly before the official opening on 5th June
2009.
A proposal to erect a
lock or tide gate at the junction of the 3 Mills Back River and the
Navigation, near the Three Mills Overshoot was turned down in 1898. (LMA
ACC 2423/006)
The state of Stratford Back Rivers was
the subject of a reply by Charles Tween sent on November 23rd 1905.
"Gentlemen, I am in receipt of your letter of the 21st inst.,
complaining as to the state of the Stratford Back Rivers. I have
to point out to you that the Stratford Back Streams are absolutely free
from toll, and that the Lee Conservancy derive absolutely no benefit
whatever therefrom, therefore it cannot be expected that the Board can
spend money in making them properly navigable, and traders navigate them
entirely at their own risk.. No doubt you will remember that in
1892, my Board proposed to make these streams properly navigable, and to
charge a small toll for so doing. To this the traders objected
with the obvious results that they themselves have to bear the
inconvenience and delay." C M Tween (LMA/ACC 2423/009)
LMA ACC 2423/P1874
At the end of Abbey Creek
there is a channel under the Northern Outfall Sewer which used to lead
to Abbey Lock Tide Gates and the Channelsea River, which is
now culverted
between this point and Stratford.
LMA ACC 2423/P1877
BOW LOCKS
|
Lock |
State |
Date |
Length |
Length - Working Distance |
Width |
Fall |
Removed or bypassed |
|
Bow Tide Gate |
Recorded |
1307 |
|
|
|
Tidal |
|
|
Bow Pound Lock (Tidal) |
Built |
1851 |
108' |
|
20' 0'' |
Tidal |
1900 |
|
Bow (West) (Tidal) |
Rebuilt |
1900 |
93' 6'' |
87' 0'' |
20' 0'' |
Tidal |
|
|
Bow Lock (Tidal) (Brick and
stone) |
Report |
1917 |
|
|
20' 0'' |
Tidal |
|
|
Bow (East) (Tidal) |
Duplicated |
1931 |
93' 6'' |
87' 0'' |
20' 0'' |
Tidal |
|
(Notes below are courtesy of Dr
Keith Fairclough)
There has been a tidal control lock on
the site from at least the reign of Edward 1 (1272 -1307), when it was
said that Henry de Bedyk, the prior of Halliwell, whose priory owned the
Four Mills first erected it. There were early arguments over whether the
lock should be allowed to stand, and in 1345 and 1362 juries presented
that it should be pulled down. Whatever the short term effect of such
disputes were, the lock actually remained. A description in 1416 shows
that it was a simple dam with an 18' gap for barges to pass through
which could be closed by the insertion of flashboards, and there were no
disputes over its rights to exist at meetings of the commissioners
appointed in 1551.
The owners of the Four Mills rebuilt Bow
Lock in 1573. Since the City of London had a close interest in the Lea
at this date, it became involved in the work. The Dutch surveyor who was
preparing a scheme for a Limehouse canal at the City's request was
ordered to inspect the rebuilding plans, and a committee was appointed
to supervise the actual construction.
In 1588 Lord Burghley noted that 'The
lock at ye Boo do open at the first begyning to flow They shut it at the
highest of the flood' This does suggest a lock with gates opened
automatically by the tide. Such an interpretation could be confirmed by
complaints in 1581 that at neap tides the height of the incoming tide
below the lock was so low compared to the river above that barges could
not pass without Bow Lock being opened, yet the lock-keeper, on the
instructions of the millers at the Four Mills, refused to do this.
Yet by the end of the century there are
references to Bow Lock having 'eight rooms' in it, which suggests a dam
with removable boards.
It is thus possible that a new type of
lock had been built in 1573, but that it had decayed and been replaced
with the more traditional type of lock by the end of the century. More
evidence is necessary, and differing interpretations could be placed on
the evidence available.
Evidence collected in 1713 shows that in
the early 1660s Bow Lock was still a dam with removable. flashboards,
and that John Burton 'had 40s a year + the house to look after the
flashboards'. Soon afterwards major changes were made
to these arrangements by the miller at the Four Mills, Robert Cowden.
The sill of Bow Lock was raised two or three feet, a pair of gates were
erected, the river above the lock was narrowed from 40' to 18', and a
lock above Bow Bridge (Landmylles) may have been removed. Bow Lock was
no longer a dam with flashboards, the principle whereby the gates were
open and shut by the force of current of the water had been introduced,
and thereafter retained.
Such measures increased the depth of
water behind the lock, to the obvious benefit of the Four Mills, but had
conflicting effects on the navigation. The increased depth was
beneficial, but the heightening of the sill and the absence of a lock
above Bow Bridge must have been disadvantageous. Particular complaints
emerge from evidence collected in 1712. One bargemen stated
he hath seen boats lay
at the said lock for want of water 3 times in the space of 6 months the
tides not being able to open Bow Lock it lay soe high and the back water
lyeing soe heavy on the Gates that they keep out the Tyde
Other bargemen confirmed that this
happened frequently at neap tides. Another bargeman stressed the
problems of passing through the lock
Bow Lock is soe kept
that if a barge be ever soe little above it at Ebb soe that he be not
there Just as the Tyde Turns, the Tyde shutts the Gates and they are
forced to lay there another Tyde although there is sometimes an hours
Tide to good
In response to such complaints George
Sorocold suggested that the sill should be laid lower so that the gates
could open even at the lowest neap tide, but it was not until Bow Lock
was rebuilt in 1721 that the sill was lowered, and then most probably
not by as much as Sorocold had suggested. The City hired a surveyor to
supervise this work, which was done by the owners of the Four Mills, and
marks were made so that the same sill height could be maintained for the
future.
In 1766 John Smeaton once more
recommended that the sill should be laid even lower, and the lock itself
be rebuilt with two pair of gates. However no such powers were sought in
1767, and the principle of the lock's operation remained unchanged until
replaced by a pair of pound locks during the 1850s.
Of the lock above Bow Bridge little is
known. In 1551 a 'landmylles lock' stood along the river between Old
Ford and Bow Bridge. In 1601 there were complaints about the 'continual
lying open of the old lock above Bow Bridge' which suggests decay.
During the 1660s it was owned by a Mr Beast(or Best) who died in 'the
sickness year', after which the lock either fell into ruin or was pulled
down by Robert Cowden when he rebuilt Bow Lock.
Apart from Mr Beast, the precise
ownership of the lock has not been discovered. Historically it seems to
have been the property of a tide mill known as 'landmylles' which had
disappeared by the sixteenth or seventeenth century. Whatever, its
effect by this date was to pen back water so that barges could pass down
through Old Ford with less difficulty and more water could escape down
the head streams of the tidal mills above Stratford Causey. Its removal
after the 1660s may have caused some problems, and during the first
decades of the eighteenth century, proposals were made to rebuild
this lock, but this never happened.
(Notes above are courtesy of Dr Keith
Fairclough)
The map below
dates from before 1850 and shows the single tide gate (with the dash-dotted
line passing through it)
LMA ACC 2423/P729
The plan below shows
the tide gate with the first proposal for a lock.
LMA ACC 2423/P738
This plan, dated
1851, shows the new pound lock superimposed on the old tide gate.
LMA ACC
2423/P/444
In 1852 the old tide
gate was replaced by a pound lock. It seems that the work
proceeded quite slowly and on 17.7.1852, Nathaniel Beardmore reported
that "the great coffer dam for Bow Lock is complete but so little energy
is shown that I would advise notice being sent to the contractors of the
Board's requiring that proper diligence should now be shewn". Beardmore
was authorised to supervise the works. (NA Rail 845/14). He reported on
16 10.1852 that "The great coffer dam is secure and nearly half the
foundations of Bow Tidal Lock and western flood gate are complete.
The four timber cottages standing near the new lock have been removed.
(NA Rail 845/14)
LMA ACC 2423/P275
The June 1880 Survey
above
shows the positions of the old collector's and lock keepers' houses,
replaced in 1947
This lock was improved in 1900 and duplicated in 1931, when it was named Nield Lock after the late Sir Herbert Nield, who was the chairman of the
Lee Conservancy Board.
For a photograph of the locks in 1950 and
a modern comparison see:
https://www.insure4boats.co.uk/historyofthewaterways/point-of-interest/bow-locks
Bow
Locks in 1946, with the high tide making a level with the Lee and the
lock gates open at both ends of both locks
Lee Conservancy
 The lock was further
rebuilt in 2000, to exclude, finally, the highest tides which had
plagued the Lower Lea/Lee for so long
Pollution was a problem in certain parts
of the Lee, particularly just below Tottenham and at Bow and Limehouse.
In July 1894, the survey noted “…on nearing Bow and reaching the Three
Mills the river was found to be much polluted, being covered with human
excrement, peas, currants, etc., indicative of the overflow from the
Storm Water outfalls of the London County Council, this state of things
continued up to the outfalls”
The state of the
Collector's House at Bow gave rise for concern in 1900, when Mr J W
Lawrence was promoted from Old Ford Lock to succeed his father as
Collector at Bow. At a cost of £40 a new office was built as an
extension and a chimney added to allow fireplaces in the office and the
bedroom above.
In 1903, an ornate octagonal lock
keeper's lobby was proposed by Charles Tween, similar to those on the Birmingham Canal Navigations
A quotation to build it for £72.10.0 was provided in 1913.
but a plan also dated in 1913 showing a less attractive but obviously
lower cost building which was the one finally approved by the
Conservators
LMA ACC 2423/006
LMA ACC 2423/P1516
“Floods and Extraordinary
High Tide, 7th January 1928
“On the early morning
tide…. at about 1.30 am, the water rose about 8 feet 6inches above
normal head at Limehouse, about 7 feet 8 inches at Bromley, and about 7
feet 7 inches at Old Ford. Considerable damage was done to craft on the
Navigation… Two laden barges sank in the Limehouse Cut….one stranded on
the towing path….Two empty barges were stranded on the path above Three
Mills and one loaded one on the wharf at Bow. This latter was lying
athwart the River entirely obstructing traffic until she was removed
from the fairway at 2.30 am on Sunday, 8th instant.
Considerable damage was done to the surface of the towing paths
and…coping stones. ….The flood tide also entered our Collector’s and
Lock keeper’s houses at Bromley…..”
“Four claims for damages
were received:
H J Hopkins, Constable at
Bromley Locks £25.0.0
F L Field, Lock keeper at
Bromley Locks £15.0.0
R D Griffiths, Lock keeper
at Britannia Lock
£5.2.6
C.N. Crace, Collector at
Limehouse £4.0.0
I think the first two
claims very excessive.”
The claim for Crace was
paid, Griffths reduced to £4.10s, Field settled at £10 and Hopkins at
£15 (NA Rail 845/112)
Stones recording the two highest tides in the 20th century, set into a
wall at 3 Mills. The third date has completely eroded away
Another occasion when flood waters caused
damage (although caused by heavy rainfall rather than an exceptionally
high tide) was described by the Charles Tween in his Engineer's Report
on 24th March 1916. It is possible to gain an impression of efficiency
and good organisation from the tone of the report.
"I regret to state Mr R Waters'
barge 'Amelia' got "under-laid" under the platform of the West side Tide
gate at Bromley -by-Bow at about 2 p.,. (sic) on the 21st. inst,
breaking the anchor strap from the bedstone causing the gate to be
washed over the "pointings", turned end for end and was held up by the
side of the brickwork to Bow Creek.
"The gates to the Limehouse Cut at
Bromley Lock were at once closed which rendered the Cut safe. I
had the dam prepared in the Yard (at Enfield) and the steam barge
loaded with the necessary materials and despatched to Tottenham the same
night hoping to get to Bromley by morning, but the flood water would not
admit of the barge proceeding below Tottenham, so I had the dam timbers
loaded on to two of Messrs Iszard's vans and taken by road.
"The dam was put in place yesterday the
23rd, and all is now safe. We shall not be able to replace the gate
until the flood waters subside as we cannot get the necessary tackle
there. The whole valley being in heavy flood, no delay has been
caused to traffic by this accident as craft could not travel on this
account. (LMA ACC 2423/15)
After the Second World War,
working conditions for the men became far better with the Unions
negotiating with employers. The institution of the 48 hour working week
created a need for extra men to be employed. The Minute of 8th
November, 1946 continues “Some of the men concerned had been working up
to a 72 hour week, including mealtimes and in order to provide for the
reduced number of working hours it was necessary to engage eight
additional men. In view of the urgency of putting the arrangements into
operation at short notice, seven men were engaged….one was found to be
medically unfit but the other men have been appointed subject to three
months probation at the minimum wage for the Board’s lock keepers in the
London area, viz., £4.7s.0d per week, and will be provided with uniforms
if they satisfactorily complete the probationary period.
“Two of the Board’s regular
men at Bow Locks, W Parlour and H W Bevan, refused to accept the new
shift programme and, in protest, returned home on the afternoon of
Saturday, 2nd November, 1946, leaving their duties
uncompleted, having previously informed the Collector in charge what
they proposed to do. They made no effort to put forward reasonable
alternative arrangements, although it was pointed out to them that the
arrangements already made were provisional and might be amended in the
light of experience. Both men were accordingly informed that by
abandoning their duties they were regarded as having terminated their
employment. They had been reprimanded for similar behaviour on another
occasion.
“To replace the three men
above referred to the following have been appointed, on the same terms
as the others …” (See table below)
There is still a
discrepancy of one man, seven having been appointed for eight vacancies,
plus the replacements for Parlour and Bevan, but there is no explanation
offered. The Minute continues “…Subject to there being no further
changes of personnel there are now sufficient men to work the new
scheme, the total wages cost of which will be approximately £1575 per
annum” (NA Rail 845/127). Although all the new men are listed under
Bow Locks, they would have been deployed around the London locks but
there is no record of who went to which lock.
The proposal for the
present layout at Bow Locks is detailed in this plan of 28.12.1946
British Waterways
Bow Locks, Bow Tide
Gates and Bromley Lock
Because of the proximity of
Bow Locks and Bromley Locks (which are described on the Limehouse Cut
page), it is impossible to separate the staff, so the employees for both
Bow and Bromley are shown in the table below.
*All lock-keepers
and collectors whose names appear in the records but whose location is
uncertain are included in the list below.
|
Census/Date |
Name |
Title |
Wife |
Location given by enumerator/Comments |
Source Reference |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.6.1951 |
A E Elliott |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.8.6. (Left 10.8.1951) |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
*A Stokes |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
*P. Jones |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
*J E Holland |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
15.3.1951 |
F T Farrance |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
*G F Parker |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
*J C Powell |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
*J W Edwards |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
John Thomas Pulman |
Lock keeper |
Up to £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d. |
H A Reyss |
Lock keeper |
Up to £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
n.d |
F C Wright |
Lock keeper |
Up to £5.3.6 |
LCB Records |
|
8.9.1947 |
J E Hodson (48) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £4.15.0 |
NA Rail 845/128 |
|
11.8.1947 |
J Dowsett (27) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £4.15.0 |
NA Rail 845/128 |
|
14.3.1947 |
P Cole (46) |
Asst Collector |
7 years in service. Earns
£5.0.0.Appointed to Bow Locks as Asst
Collector at £5.10.6 |
NA Rail 845/128 |
|
14.3.1947 |
H Brennan (43) |
Collector |
23 years in service. Earns
£5.15.0Appointed Collector at £6.15.6 at
Bow Locks |
NA Rail 845/128 |
|
24.2.1947 |
J W Hancock |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £4.15.0 per week
with uniform. (Return to service after being called up in 1941) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
31.1.1947 |
C J Parrott |
Lock keeper |
Transferred to Ware Weir |
LCB Records |
|
30.11.1946 |
Sidney Barnard |
Lock keeper |
Transferred to South Mill Lock |
LCB Records |
|
7.11.1946 |
*C P McCarthy (39) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above)
Last recorded r.o.p £5.3.6 n.d. |
NA Rail 845/127
LCB Records |
|
6.11.1946 |
*A Baker (28) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
4.11.1946 |
*W G Whaley (26) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
2.11.1946 |
W Parlour |
Lock keeper |
Dismissed (see note above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
2.11.1946 |
H W Bevan |
Lock keeper |
Dismissed (see note above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
30.10.1946 |
*W J Smith (22) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
30.10.1946 |
*I W Brights (31) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
30.10.1946 |
*J Dowset (26) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
30.10.1946 |
*C J Parrott (42) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
29.10.1946 |
*T Somers (39) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
29.10.1946 |
*J J Williams (29) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed on probation £4.7.0 per
week. (see note re working hours above) |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
7.12.1945 A O Allwood still
occupying the lock house “as he has been unable to find
alternative accommodation” Board now requires the house (NA
Rail 845/127). At County Court the judge gave order for
possession in 28 days. Allwood vacated the premises on 8.4.1946
(NA Rail 845/127) |
|
28.7.1945 |
Sidney Edward Barnard (54) |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £4.2.0 per week and
uniform |
NA Rail 845/127 |
|
1.11.1944 |
W Parlour |
Lock keeper |
Increase of 1/6 perweek |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
30.9.1944 |
A O Allwood |
Lock keeper |
Position terminated on grounds of
permanent infirmity. Pension to be decided |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
7.1.1944 |
Allwood |
Lock keeper |
Off sick - (In service over 15
years) |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
Allwood now exceeding 4 weeks
full pay and 4 weeks half pay- half pay extended to 31.1.1944 or
his return to work. 4.2.1944 Further extended to 28.2.1944
(NA Rail 845/126) |
|
3.12.1943 |
W Parlour |
Now Lock keeper |
Applied for increase on basis his
working hours are longer than capstan hands. Granted 2/6 a week
|
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
5.3.1943 |
Frederick C Wright (55) |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £3.15.0 per week and
uniform |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
5.3.1943 Wright was
previously employed in 1940. He left for a better-paid job as a
horse-driver in a factory at Poplar. This employment
ceased and he applied for re-appointment. He was a satisfactory worker in
the past. (NA Rail 845/126) |
|
2.10.1942 |
G Sharp |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed ex Stonebridge Lock |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
22.10.1942 |
G Alexander |
Relief Lock keeper |
Transferred to Waltham Town |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
2.10.1942 |
G Alexander |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed ex Police constable (in
Board’s service) at £3.15.0 per week |
NA Rail 845/126 |
|
11.7..1941 |
J W Hancock (50) |
Lock keeper |
Resigned (for military
service? Returned 24.2.1947)
Earning £4.1.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/125 |
|
1.4.1941 |
J T Pulman |
Lock keeper |
£2.12.0 to £2.14.6 |
NA Rail 845/125 |
|
1.4.1941 |
H A Reyss |
Lock keeper |
£2.12.9 to £2.14.6 |
NA Rail 845/125 |
|
7.2.1941 |
William Parlour (33) |
Capstan Hand |
Appointed at £2.17.0 per week
plus 5/- war bonus and uniform |
NA Rail 845/125 |
|
7.2.1941 |
Charles Peter Morris (31) |
Capstan Hand |
Resigned to take up a post at
Chatham Dockyard |
NA Rail 845/125 |
|
3.11.1940 |
E J Lawrence (61) |
Collector |
His health is very poor and he
wishes to resign |
NA Rail 845/124 |
|
3.11.1940 |
V L Brimley |
Asst Collector |
In view of the uncertainty of the
position his appointment was terminated |
NA Rail 845/124 |
|
V L Brimley “went sick on
8.9.1940…doctor states that it is inadvisable for him to return
to a bombed area….he suffered from shell shock after the last
war and …this illness is a return of his former trouble” “He
has moved out of London and made application to be given leave
of absence for the duration of the war” (NA Rail 845/124). |
|
1.11.1940 |
A O Allwood |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at £3.16 per week
(from other Board position? This is the first mention of him –
see 7.1.44) |
NA Rail 845/124 |
|
4.10.1940 |
Charles Peter Morris (31) |
Temp Lock keeper |
£2.12.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/124 |
|
4.10.1940 |
Francis Lewis Field (61) |
Lock keeper |
Died 16.8.1940
1.11.1940 Mrs Field granted 10/-
per week pension |
NA Rail 845/124 |
|
12.1.1940 |
John Thomas Pulman (48) |
Temp Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £2.12.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/124 |
|
1.12.1939 |
Philip Cole (39½) |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £2.12.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
3.11.1939 |
J C Davis |
Relief Lock keeper |
Transferred to Water Bailiff |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
6.10.1939 |
Henry August Reyss (53) |
Relief Lock keeper |
£2.12.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
6.10.1939 |
Leo Arthur Philip Wright (44) |
Relief Lock keeper |
£2.12.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
6.10.1939 |
M H Parrott |
Relief Lock keeper |
Not suitable. To be discharged |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
19.5.1939 |
E D Stuckey |
Relief Lock keeper |
Transferred to Works staff |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
1.4.1939 |
M H Parrott |
Relief Lock keeper |
£2.12.0 to £2.13.0 |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
1.4.1939 |
V Brimley |
Asst Collector |
To £3.10.0 |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
29.3.1939 |
J C Davis |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £2.12.0.and uniform |
NA Rail 845/123 |
|
7.10.1938 |
M H Parrott |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £2.12.0 and uniform |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
7.10.1938 |
C J Gypps |
Relief Lock keeper |
Transferred to Enfield |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
J Allwood |
Capstan Hand |
£3.0.0 to £3.4.0 |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
W J Jarvis |
Capstan Hand |
£3.0.0 to £3.4.0 |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
C J Gypps |
Relief Lock keeper |
£2.15.0 to £2.19.0 |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
E.D.Stuckey |
Relief Lock keeper |
£2.15.0 to £2.19.0 |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
J W Hancock |
Lock keeper |
£3.7.0 to £3.11.0 |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
£2.19.0 to £3.3.0 |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
1.4.1938 |
V L Brimley |
Asst Collector |
£3.5.0 to £3.7.6. |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
9.3.1938 |
C J Gypps (35) |
Relief Lock keeper |
£2.15.0 with uniform to fill
vacancy of Weir |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
11.3.1938 |
R J Weir |
Relief Lock keeper |
Resigned |
NA Rail 845/122 |
|
14.1.1938 |
Robert John Weir |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £2.15.0 with uniform |
|
|
5.11.1937 |
Ernest Daniel Stuckey |
Relief Lock keeper |
Appointed at £2.15s with uniform.
Location unknown |
NA Rail 845/121 |
|
5.11.1937 |
L A Page |
Lock keeper |
Transferred to City Mills Lock |
LCB Records |
|
1.4.1937 |
J W Hancock |
Lock keeper |
£3.5s to £3.7s |
NA Rail 845/121 |
|
15.5.1936 |
E J Lawrence |
Collector |
Transferred to Enfield as Deputy
Chief Collector |
NA Rail 845/120 |
|
22.5.1936 |
Louis Augustus Page (38) |
Relief Lock keeper |
Ex Royal Marines appointed,
£2.15.0 per week |
NA Rail 845/120 |
|
1.4.1936 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
£2.17s to £2.19s |
NA Rail 845/120 |
|
1.4.1936 |
E J Lawrence |
Collector |
£6 to £6.6s |
NA Rail 845/120 |
|
1.4.1935 |
J W Hancock |
Lock keeper |
£3.3s to £3.5s per week |
NA Rail 845/119 |
|
1.4.1935 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
£2.15s to £2.17s per week |
NA Rail 845/119 |
|
1.4.1935 |
E J Lawrence |
Collector |
£5.10s to £6 per week |
NA Rail 845/119 |
|
1.4.1934 |
E J Lawrence |
Collector |
+5/- per week |
NA Rail 845/118 |
|
1.4.1933 |
J W Hancock |
Lock keeper |
+3/- per week |
NA Rail 845/117 |
|
14.10.1932 |
J W Hancock |
Lock keeper |
Appointment |
NA Rail 845/116 |
|
18.3.1931 Letter to the Board
from Messrs Carless, Capel & Leonard; “Now that the Watermen’s
Strike is over….. we should be particularly pleased if you would
also convey to Mr Lawrence at Bow Lock our gratitude and our
sincere appreciation of all the trouble he took to help us over
our difficulties. We feel it was largely due to his efforts that
we succeeded in frustrating the strikers’ attempts to stop our
work” (NA Rail 845/116) |
|
1.4.1931 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
+ 1/- per week |
NA Rail 845/115 |
|
25.7.1930 |
E J Lawrence |
Collector |
Appointed ex Old Ford at increase
of 5/- per week |
NA Rail 845/114 |
|
7.2.1930 C N Crace “was
suffering from a heart attack…complete rest for a fortnight.
4.4.1930… a further 4 weeks rest….2.5.1930 3 months
convalescence. 25.7.1930 Crace resigned. Granted £3 per week
pension 9.9.1930 Crace died. Grant of £6 to widow (NA Rail
845/114) and 10/- per week pension from date of death (NA Rail
845/115) |
|
5.10.1928 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
£2 14s per week |
NA Rail 845/112 |
|
5.10.1928 |
H W Hancock |
Asst Lock keeper |
£3 per week |
NA Rail 845/112 |
|
1.4.1928 |
C N Crace |
Collector |
+5/- per week |
NA Rail 845/112 |
|
27.1.1928 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
“Much of his furniture was
damaged in the flood caused by the high tide” (See above) |
NA Rail 845/112 |
|
6.5.1927 |
J W Hancock (36) |
Asst Lock keeper |
Ex Capstan hand appointed at
£2.18s and uniform |
NA Rail 845/111 |
|
1.8.1925 |
C N Crace |
Collector |
Appointed from Limehouse |
NA Rail 845/110 |
|
1.8.1925 |
J W Lawrence |
Senior Collector |
Promoted and transferred to
Enfield |
NA Rail 845/110 |
|
1.4.1925 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
Plus 5/- per week |
NA Rail 845/109 |
|
23.7.1920 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
Plus 10/- per week |
NA Rail 845/47 |
|
14.11.1919 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
80/- + house, uniform and gas |
NA Rail 845/46 |
|
14.11.1919 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
50/- + house and uniform
|
NA Rail 845/46 |
|
1.12.1916 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
£10 war bonus |
NA Rail 845/43 |
|
1.12.1916 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
£3 war bonus |
NA Rail 845/43 |
|
7.4.1916 |
F Field |
Lock keeper |
28/- to 30/- per week |
NA Rail 845/43 |
|
24.3.1916 |
F Field |
Lock keeper |
"asks that his wages be increased from
28/- to 30/- per week, the same rate of pay as the
Constables receive" |
LMA ACC 2423/15 |
|
30.12.1915 |
J.W Lawrence |
Collector |
+5/- per week and War bonus £10 |
NA Rail 845/42 |
|
25.12.1915 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
War bonus £3 |
NA Rail 845/42 |
|
4.3.1915 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
+3/- per week |
NA Rail 845/42 |
|
4.3.1915 |
F L Field |
Lock keeper |
+2/- per week |
NA Rail 845/42 |
|
12.2.1915 F L Field letter to
the Board “”this day I have received in answer to Census Papers
which I received and filled in as being willing to serve my
Country during the present crisis, a notice to attend the
Recruiting Office…during the next seven days. If medically fit
I am leaving a wife and three children and would the…. Board
treat my case the same as those already called up, viz., my
situation open on return and wages allowance whilst serving.”
“…he has the Board’s permission
to go on military service”
“in future (no man) will be
allowed to offer themselves for service without the Board’s
permission having been first obtained” (NA Rail 845/42) |
|
20.6.1913 |
F Field |
Lock keeper |
Appointed ex Constable |
NA Rail 845/40 |
|
20.6.1913 |
S Chappell |
Lock keeper |
Transferred to Tottenham |
NA Rail 845/40 |
|
28.2.1913 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
Wages increased by 2/- per week |
NA Rail 845/40 |
|
28.2.1913 |
S Chappell |
Lock keeper |
Wages increased by 1/- per week |
NA Rail 845/40 |
|
2.4.1911 |
Sidney Chappell, (32) |
Lock keeper |
Mary |
2 St Leonard Street |
RG14PN1684 RG78PN59 RD22 SD2 ED7 SN348 |
|
2.4.1911 |
Abraham Thickings (64) |
|
Emma |
3 Bromley Lock Cottages |
RG14PN1684 RG78PN59 RD22 SD2 ED7 SN349 |
|
2.4.1911 |
Jesse William Lawrence (39) |
District Superintendent of River |
Susanna Florence
|
4 Bromley Lock Cottages |
RG14PN1684 RG78PN59 RD22 SD2 ED7 SN350 |
|
1.4.1909 |
S Chappell |
Lock keeper |
Increase of 1/- per week |
NA Rail 845/36 |
|
1.4.1909 |
J W Lawrence |
Collector |
Increase of 6d per week |
NA Rail 845/36 |
|
16.10.1908 |
J W Lawrence |
"suffering with serious trouble with his
legs which would necessitate an operation" |
NA Rail 845/60 |
|
26.6.1908 |
S Chappell (30) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at 22/- per week ex
Limehouse |
NA Rail 845/35
LMA/ACC 2423/011 |
|
26.6.1908 |
William Lambert |
Lock keeper |
Resigned his situation, having
taken a small business at Chiswick |
NA Rail 845/35 |
|
13.1.1905 J W Lawrence paid £10
for the damage done by the high tides on 30.12.1904 (NA Rail
845/32) |
|
13.1.1905 Lambert paid £2.10.0
for the damage done by the high tides on 30.12.1904 (NA Rail
845/32) |
|
13.1.1905 Thickings paid £2.10.0
for the damage done by the high tides on 30.12.1904 (NA Rail
845/32) |
|
12.7.1901 Reported last Meeting
that the Summonses were not served, owing to false addresses
having been given. Now reported that Warrants were issued, and
at the Thames Police Court F Cowley, was fined 15/- and 2/-
costs, and Joe Chambers , alias “Joe Vince” sentenced to 21 days
imprisonment (NA Rail 845/30) |
|
28.6.1901 Summonses not served
owing to false names having been given (NA Rail 845/30) |
|
14.6.1901 5 men assaulted
William Lambert Lock keeper at Bow (NA Rail 845/30) |
|
23.10.1903 |
William Walter Lambert |
Lock keeper |
Sworn in as a Canal Constable |
NA Rail 845/31 |
|
23.10.1903 |
George Macpherson |
Lock keeper |
Sworn in as a Canal Constable |
NA Rail 845/31 |
|
31.3.1901 |
William W Lambert (31) |
Lock keeper |
Emma J |
2, Bromley Lock |
Lo/Bromley/Bromley/9/5 |
|
31.3.1901 |
Abraham Thicking (53) |
Lock keeper |
Emma |
3, Bromley Lock |
Lo/Bromley/Bromley/9/5 |
|
12.10.1900 |
Jesse William Lawrence (30) |
Collector |
Ex Old Ford, to succeed his
father at 45/- per week this to include any services he may have
to render to the Lee Traders Police or in connection with
nuisances or pollutions to the River |
NA Rail 845/29 |
|
9.11.1900 |
W Lambert |
Lock keeper |
Raised from £1 to £1.5.0. on
being sworn in as a river constable |
NA Rail 845/29 |
|
12.10.1900 Jesse Lawrence,
having been 32 years in the service of the Lee Conservancy, be
granted a retiring allowance of 30/- per week ….on condition
that he does not reside within 5 miles of Bow Lock. (Died
24.4.1912 (NA Rail 845/39)) |
|
26.11.1897 |
William Lambert (28) |
Lock keeper |
Appointed at 20/- per week with a
cottage and uniform |
NA Rail 845/28 |
|
25.11.1897 I have found a suitable man W Lambert, son of
William Lambert of Ware to fill the vacancy The wages are £1 per
week and house. I wouild suggest that he be put in uniform as he
would then be distinguishable from the loafers around the lock
and it would give him more authority. ((C Tween -
LMA ACC 2423/006) |
|
26.11.1897 Allowance of Ten
Shillings per week made to Mrs McAlpine…and £5 towards funeral
expenses. McAlpine had been in the service of the Board for 17
years (NA Rail 845/28) |
|
25.11.1897 "I regret to have to report the death of John
McAlpine our Lock keeper st Bow Locks, which occurred at about
11.30 on Saturday night the 20th inst. during a dense fog.
He had finished locking for the night tide; and it is supposed
was walking round to see all was right, when he fell in or
walked into Bow Creek at the tail of the lock and was drowned -
the body being recovered on Sunday morning. He was an
excellent swimmer, having a medal for saving life at sea. He has
been employed by the Board as Lock keeper between 17 and 18
years and leaves a widow and 4 children aged 19, 18 (both
daughters) and 9 & 7 (both boys)." - C Tween
|
LMA ACC 2423/006 |
|
20.11.1897 |
John McAlpine |
Lock keeper |
Drowned this day |
NA Rail 845/28 |
|
24.2.1893 |
Symonds |
Lock keeper |
Transferred to Old Ford |
LMA ACC
2423/004 |
|
24.2.1893 |
John McAlpine |
Lock keeper |
Appointed from Limehouse |
LMA ACC
2423/004 |
|
8.4.1892 Jesse Lawrence. Bow
Lock. Collection of £750 pa . Also supervisor over the two
collectors at Limehouse, where the collection is £3000 pa.
Private sureties (NA
Rail 845/26). |
|
8.4.1892. Collectors Jesse
Lawrence (snr) and William Harris have bonds of £300 each (NA
Rail 845/26) |
|
5.4.1891 |
Samuel Symons (40) |
Lock keeper |
Emma |
2, Bromley Lock |
Lo/Bromley St Leonard/1/1 |
|
5.4.1891 |
John Calley (50) |
Lea Conservancy Officer |
Wdr |
3, Bromley Lock |
Lo/Bromley St Leonard/1/1 |
|
5.4.1891 |
Isaac Lawrence (45) |
Water Bailiff |
Emma |
4, Bromley Lock |
Lo/Bromley St Leonard/1/1 |
|
17.11.1888 |
J Lawrence |
Collector |
Appointed ex Limehouse to supervise the whole River from
Limehouse to Old Ford |
LMA ACC 2423/003 |
|
17.11.1888 |
Charles Blain (44) |
Collector and Water Bailiff |
Died after few days illness. (24
years service) Widow Louisa receives 12/-
per week. This ceased 28.2.1890 on her remarriage |
NA Rail 845/25
LMA ACC 2423/003 |
|
20.4.1883 |
Simmonds |
Lock keeper |
1 years service. 20/- per week |
NA Rail 845/23 |
|
20.4.1883 |
C Blain |
Collector |
18 years service 30/- per week |
NA Rail 845 |
|
6.5.1881 |
Simmonds |
Lock keeper |
Appointed ex “Trader’s Police
Constables at Bow” "Well acquainted with the duties, a fair
scholar and a very steady and attentive officer (J Child) |
NA Rail 845/22
LMA ACC 2423/001 |
|
1.5.1881 |
William Pallett |
Lock keeper |
Seized with a fit, which was succeeded by
others, and he died on Tuesday morning (3rd May). He was a very
good and efficient lock keeper and had been in our employ about
15 years. He leaves a widow and one daughter. (J Child) |
NA Rail 845/22
LMA ACC
2423/001 |
|
4.4.1881 |
Charles Blain (36) |
Water Bailiff Lee Conservancy |
Louisa |
River Lee Office, Lee Cut |
Lo/Bromley St Leonard/1/45 |
|
4.4.1881 |
William Pallett (41) |
Lock keeper |
Elizabeth |
1, Lee Cottages, Lee Cut |
Lo/Bromley St Leonard/1/45 |
|
4.4.1881 |
John Calley (40) |
Inspector for Lea Conservancy |
Lydia |
2, Lee Cottages, Lee Cut |
Lo/Bromley St Leonard/1/45 |
|
27.4.1877 “ at Thames Police
Court, James Langfield had been sentenced to fourteen days hard
labour for assaulting William Pallett the Lock keeper at Bow”
(NA Rail 845/21) |
|
2.4.1871 |
John Calley (32) |
Inspector of the River Lea |
Lydia |
No 1 George St |
Lo/Bromley St Leonards/7/19 |
|
9.2.1870 |
Charles Blain |
Collector |
Recorded as collector at 35/- per
week |
NA Rail 845/17 |
|
11.1.1868 |
Drummond # |
|
35/- per week |
NA Rail 845/16 |
|
12.10.1867 |
Drummond # |
|
Wages raised from 30/- to 32/-
per week |
NA Rail 845/16 |
|
12.10.1867 |
Charles Blain |
Lock keeper at Bromley Lock |
Made sub-collector at 28/- per
week |
NA Rail 845/16 |
|
24.8.1867 "That it is desirable
that a change of Collectors at Limehouse and Old Ford should be
made as an experiment and that John Chamberlain should be
removed to Old Ford Lock and Frederic Drummond should be removed
to Limehouse Lock for twelve months and that the use of
the Trustee's Barge should be granted to assist them in
the removal of their goods |
|
24.8.1867 |
John Chamberlain |
Collector of Tolls |
Appointed at 28/- per week and a
house on retirement of father Edward Chamberlain at Britannia
Lock |
NA Rail 845/16 |
|
8.4.1861 |
James Humphrys (60) |
Lock keeper |
Charlotte |
St Leonards St, East Side,
Lock Cottages No 61 |
Mx/Bromley St Leonard/21/13 |
|
8.4.1861 |
John Chamberlain (39) |
Tolls Collector, River Lea |
Emma |
St Leonards St, East Side,
Lock Cottages No 62 |
Mx/Bromley St Leonard/21/13 |
|
15.3.1860 |
John Chamberlain |
"I think that 3/- per week might be added
to (his) salary on the understanding that he should if necessary
undertake the entire collection of everything below Enfield Lock
(up to Ponders End) and that he becomes the responsible
collector for Limehouse as well as Bromley when his father shall
finally retire. (See Edward Chamberlain at Limehouse) The
father is the oldest servant of the Trustees and requires rest
altho' he wishes to reside and superintend. I think it
will not be extravagant to allow him in future 12/- per week to
find his own assistant until he may wish to retire absolutely" N
Beardmore |
NA Rail 845/15 |
|
17.11.1855
|
James Humphreys |
Lock keeper |
£1 per week. Bow Tide Gates and
new Bromley Lock. |
NA Rail 845/14
|
|
21.10.1854 |
James Humphreys |
Lock keeper |
£1 per week |
NA Rail 845/14 |
|
21.10.1854 |
John Chamberlain |
Collector |
£1. 8. 0 per week |
NA Rail 845/14 |
|
17.12.1853 |
John Chamberlain |
...wages be increased from 1 guinea to
28/- per week in consequence of additional duties imposed upon
him as Collector at the New Lock and Wharves at Bow Creek and
Bromley |
NA Rail 845/14 |
|
30.3.1851 |
James Humphreys (50) |
Lockman Bromley Locks River Lea
Co |
Charlotte |
Locks Cottage No 4 |
Mx/Bromley St Leonard/2o/22 |
|
30.3.1851 |
John Chamberlain (28) |
Collector of Tolls for the River
Lea Bromley Locks |
Emma |
Four Mills Cottage* |
Mx/Bromley St Leonard/2o/21 |
|
Letter of 13th
September 1850 to James Griggs the Surveyor, following the
acquisition of Four Mills by the Trustees: “ Sir, The Mill
Cottage being now empty and much more convenient for a lock
house, I shall feel greatly obliged if you will allow me to
remove into it. As the one I now live in is at least four feet
below the level of the surrounding premises and from the
circumstance of there being no less than seven privies bordering
a little yard of about eighteen feet by eight feet, the stench
arising from them is unbearable and frequently after rain, the
soil runs through the walls which makes it very unhealthy for my
family, the children being continually ill. Trusting you will
grant me this favour I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant.
John Chamberlain” It is gratifying to know that on 17th
September 1850, his request was granted. |
|
21.10.1845 |
John Chamberlain |
Lock keeper |
Appointed |
NA Rail 845/12 |
|
21.10.1845 |
Henry Barker |
Lock keeper at Bromley |
Dismissed |
NA Rail 845/12 |
|
7.6.1841 |
|
|
|
|
No census record |
|
10.2.1841 |
William Henry Barker |
Lock keeper at Bromley |
Appointed in place of his father |
NA Rail 845/12 |
|
10.12.1841 |
Thomas Clement Barker |
Lock keeper at Bromley |
Retired due to ill health |
NA Rail 845/12 |
|
2.7.1825 |
Thomas Barker |
Collector |
Appointed ex Lee Bridge |
NA Rail 845/9 |
|
2.7.1825 |
Joseph Cadmore |
Collector |
To be removed |
NA Rail 845/9 |
|
19.4.1825 |
Edward Chamberlain |
Collector of Tolls |
Appointed at Bromley |
NA Rail 845/9 |
|
12.6.1823 |
Joseph Cadmore |
Collector |
Appointed in room of late father |
NA Rail 845/9 |
|
25.1.1816 |
Joseph Cadmore |
Collector |
Appointed in room of father |
NA Rail 845/9 |
|
25.1.1816 |
William Cadmore |
Collector |
Deceased |
NA Rail 845/9 |
|
15.8.1792 |
William Cadmore |
Collector |
Appointed |
NA Rail 845/6 |
|
15.8.1792 |
Thomas Foster |
Collector |
Resigned |
NA Rail 845/6 |
|
23.2.1791 |
*Nathaniel Humfrey |
Receiver of Tolls |
Of Ware, Appointed |
NA Rail 845/52 |
|
23.2.1791 "...a Receiver of Tolls from the
Collectors be now appointed...and that such Officer be paid Two
Pence in the Pound for such receipts as a satisfaction for his
trouble and expence therein" (NA Rail 845/52) |
|
14.7.1791 Thomas Foster, “on his
prayer be permitted to continue Collector of the Tolls at
Bromley he having resigned the said office at the last meeting”
(NA Rail 845/6) |
|
9.2.1791 |
Thomas Foster |
Collector |
Appointed |
NA Rail 845/6 |
|
9.2.1791 |
William Woodward |
Collector |
Discharged on account of his not
having made up his accounts |
NA Rail 845/52 |
|
