Heartland Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 I did wonder if the term Monkey Boat was a London invention, as it appeared in London papers. In a conversation with the late Edward Paget Tomlinson, I gather there was a thought that the name was derived from the Tipton, Smethwick and Selly Oak boatbuilding family, the Monk's, but there were other notices in the press that referred to monkey boats elsewhere in the world. A reference to the canal boat version appeared in the Standard for January 21st 1841 when a detailed report of the Brentford Innundation was published. This happened on the Grand Junction Canal when timber floats broke loose following a flood. Barges and narrowboats were wrecked including a "monkey boat" called the Tipton Lass. The Grand Junction Canal Company were censured for not drawing the lock paddles when the waters were found to rise,. The Morning Chronicle on June 17th 1852 mentions the capsizing of a long narrow boat, or monkey boat which was being loaded with stone at Caens Wharf, Lower Rotherhithe, near the Old Globe Stairs on the Thames. Three people in the cabin were drowned. The Morning Chronicle on May 17th, 1854 mentioned the fate of the Providence which was described as a Monkey Boat. This craft was carrying timber and was crossing the river to the Woolwich Dockyard. The wash of a passing steam boat belonging to the General Steam Navigation Company was blamed for capsizing the Providence and the loss of most of the timber on board. The Jury accepted this was the case and awarded damages to the plaintiffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sans allumette Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 There's an earlier thread from 2009 HERE Some poetry (!) HERE And the Mirriam-Webster dictionary HERE, where it suggests it's " a small usually half-decked boat used in docks and on the Thames river". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Lewis Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 From 1907 You Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Williams Posted May 13, 2019 Report Share Posted May 13, 2019 I have heard it on the Thames as just 'Monkey', eg: "That Monkey that just went up". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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