The London was a Cromwellian warship that mysteriously exploded and sank in the Thames Estuary on 7 March 1665, with a loss of over 300 lives. Built at Chatham Dockyard, The London was part of the fleet intended to bring Charles II back to England to restore the monarchy.
The London's wreck was discovered during the development of London Gateway port, when our Hydrography team were conducting diving and archaeological surveys. As a result of the find, the channel was shifted 50 metres south of the wreck.
The London shipwreck event brought together Anna Firth MP for Southend West, in whose constituency the wreck is located, and Tim Loughton MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, as well as Mark Beattie-Edwards, Chief Executive of the Nautical Archaeology Society, and senior representatives from DP World and the PLA, including: Andrew Bowen (DP World’s COO), Alan Shaoul (DP World’s UK CFO) and Robin Mortimer (our Chief Executive and Chair of Maritime UK).
Mark Beattie-Edwards, who is renowned for his substantial contributions to the preservation and study of underwater cultural heritage, said,
“The London shipwreck represents a significant piece of 17th century maritime history, providing a fascinating porthole onto the world of 17th century naval warfare, maritime technology, and daily life onboard a warship.”
Business LDN and the Thames
On 5 March the PLA hosted a Business LDN event in discussion with Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, which focused on unlocking London’s potential through transport.
The evening was about understanding the key challenges and opportunities ahead of the Mayoral and general elections.
PLA Chief Executive Robin Mortimer shared insights on how the capital's waterways can contribute more to our transport and freight networks.
Lord Byron Davies, Maritime Minister, (centre) visited our head office, London River House, to meet with our Chair Jonson Cox CBE and Chief Executive Robin Mortimer, and take a tour of the lower river district on one of the PLA’s Hydrography vessels, the Maplin (11 March).
Our upper district public meeting took place in Putney, at the London Rowing Club, on 4 March. Our Chief Executive Robin Mortimer was joined by representatives from Thames Water on the Teddington Direct River Abstraction (DRA), with a Q&A session.
Photo: Previous grant recipient Laburnum Boat Club
Tideway, the company behind London’s super sewer, has given our partnership programme, Active Thames, a major boost of £40,000.
Tideway’s new funding marks the year when the new infrastructure starts to clean up the river and is in addition to the £150,000 of Active Thames grants awarded to 23 projects across London, Kent and Essex in January this year.
Active Thames covers a wide range of activities including sailing, paddle sports, rowing and walking, from West London to Southend-on-Sea. Most of the Active Thames funding is directed towards projects engaging people who are less likely to be active, including people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.
John Sage, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Tideway, said:
“We are delighted to be able to help Active Thames get more people connected to the river in 2024, the year that we start to clean it up. The Thames is a fantastic yet underused asset. Through the community partnerships we have developed during the project, we have seen how connecting with the Thames has a positive effect on people's wellbeing. This funding will allow more people to experience that.”
The application period for grants, which can range from £500 to £5,000, opened on 11 March 2024 and closes on 7 April 2024. Previous applicants or beneficiaries are welcome to apply again.
P&O has begun its new ro-ro route between Tilbury and Europoort, part of the Port of Rotterdam. This new service offers the earliest arrival on the Thames from Europoort. P&O’s MS Norbank arrived at Tilbury on Monday morning (11 March) following her first nine-hour crossing on the new route.
Charles Hammond OBE, who steps down as Chief Executive of Forth Ports this summer after a stellar career spanning 35 years, has been given a Lifetime Achievement Award from Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.
SEA-KIT, who won Government funding to build the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled Remote Surveying Vessel (RSV), which will be operated on the Thames, has been on the BBC, talking about their work in offshore robotics. The video for BBC News highlights the exciting technology.
The immensely popular ‘Horrible Histories – Terrible Thames’ tours make a return to the river on the 23 March. Created by award-winning theatre producers Birmingham Stage Company and Woods’ Silver Fleet, a family-run company of Thames Watermen since 1866.
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers has been awarded the Silver accreditation in our Thames Green Scheme, an independent environmental performance indicator for UK inland waterways operators, involving an assessment of various elements, including: air quality, carbon footprint, energy efficiency, water quality, litter management, and waste reduction.
By participating in the scheme, Uber Boats by Thames Clippers is reaffirming their commitment to providing environmentally friendly transport options in London.
Under General Direction 34, as of 1 January 2024, Masters of Intra-port Commercial Vessels operating between Teddington and Denton limit must be enrolled on the Thames CPD Programme. Find out more about the Thames CPD Programme by attending a workshop, which will cover the necessary requirements to comply with the regulation and provide assistance to Masters with enrolment and submission of evidence to gain CPD points. Learn from other individual Masters and Companies about how they are using the Thames CPD Programme. The workshop will be held aboard the vessel Dixie Queen at Butler's Wharf Pier at 17:00 on Monday 18th March 2024.
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