Maritime London An Historical Journey in Pictures and Words

The Thames was also, for many centuries, a major ship building center, and the story includes the construction of some iconic vessels from Henry VIII's flagship Henri Grace á Dieu to Isambard Brunel's great steamship the SS Great Eastern. London was also until recently the country's most important port. In the days of sail, the Port of London was crowded with vessels and it was not until the nineteenth century that major enclosed docks were built, a process that continued into the early years of the twentieth century. The early nineteenth century also saw London connected to the rest of England through a network of canals. Other topics covered include the lifeboat service, river fire fighting forces and the river police.
The result is a colorful pageant that highlights the vital role that London's waterways played in the life of the capital.