Cygnet 1885, Shiplake

[mark99]

Cygnet 1885 Shiplake

[Heartland]

The barge has a look as if it it was horse drawn, but is this the Thames ?

 

 

 

There was and is a Thames Barge Cygnet built in 1881, which this craft seems to correspond with.

 

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by Heartland

[IanM]

https://thamesbarge.org.uk/boats/cygnet/
 

[magnetman]

If Shiplake is accurate I can see exactly where that is. 

Boat is traveling downstream just above Phillimore Island which is an unused small Thames eyot about 5 minutes up from Shiplake lock.

 

This island is adjacent to Shiplake College. 

 

 

Around Here 

 

 

Towpath is on the left going downstream. The area between island and river bank will have been ballasted away during River channel upgrades in the 1800s. 

 

 

 

Where the towpath rises there is a small brook with a bridge. This is still there. 

Bridge on towing path. 

 

Interesting to see there is a bridge to the island. This island is part of an estate. I have always been surprised it is unused but if there was once a bridge across to it then it was probably used as pleasure grounds at some stage. The bridge seems to match the house. 

 

this house, which is still there, looks like the type which would have a private island and a footbridge. It was the done thing back in the day. 

 

 

 

Looking at the satellite view there is an obvious mark across the lawn where there was presumably a path down to the bridge across to the island pleasure garden..

 

I bet they had rather a spiffing steam launch on the other side away from the navigation channel. 

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by magnetman

[MtB]

4 hours ago, magnetman said:

I bet they had rather a spiffing steam launch on the other side away from the navigation channel. 

 

 

"Spiffing". Loverly word, one of my favourites.

 

 

[Heartland]

The 1872 ordnance survey also shows a towing path at this spot.

 

 

[magnetman]

No sign of a bridge on that map. The Phillimore's Island is named after the occupiers of Shiplake House so makes sense they did use it. Having said that it would have to be a rather unfeasibly high bridge for such a small island as it crossed the main navigation channel. 

 

It looks like the hump on the left where there is now a small footbridge was a boathouse.