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Steam narrow boat President

President on the Thames Tideway
Dates:	10th May 2004
Crew:	David Powell ( Captain ) ; David Stott ( Driver ), Eddie Oades ( Radio Operator ) Roger Prior, George Hopkins, Richard Thomas, Martin Burke, Tim Coghlan
Journey:	Limehouse to Rickmansworth

When we planned this years-boating programme I was very pleased to see we had included Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice, we have always had a very warm welcome at this popular event. We were contacted by the IWA to see if we were interested in joining a convoy up the tideway on our way home. After consulting the museum and our insurance company it was decided to have a go. The last time 'President' had been on the tideway was in 1990 when we carried the 'Brindley' Statue'. That time we were breasted up with 'Vulcan' which gave us the security and a lot of extra power. This time we would be with our trusty 'Kildare' and powered by our new engine.

Following 'Cavalcade' the boats were on display at the London Canal Museum. We prepared for our Thames onslaught on the Saturday, everything was checked over and a splashboard fitted to the engine room door. We had to carry an anchor on both boats and all the crew were to wear lifejackets. I had visited the boat show in January and managed to source some black inflatable jackets which almost of fitted in with the crew dress.

The appointed day had arrived and we were due out onto the river late afternoon so the crew assembled at the Canal Museum and we moved the boats down to Limehouse. The crew were myself as Captain, Richard Thomas, Eddie Oades (Radio), George Hopkins (Driver) Vic Fagence, Roger Prior and Tim Coghlan. For the journey down to Limehouse we were joined by Paula from The Historic Ships Register who came to see the boats as 'President' is on the list of designated vessels.

When we arrived at Limehouse we moored close to the lock entrance. Together with the crews from the other boats we were given a very thorough briefing by Roger Squires on the trip up the river. We were all paired up with other boats and in case of trouble they were to look after each other. We had the privilege of the Maritime Volunteer Service cutter 'Londinium 1' from HMS President as our escort thanks to Eddie Oades. A last minute addition was made to the crew here when my daughter Jenny and her boy friend Ian who had come to see us off joined us. At the appointed time the rest of the flotilla made their way through the lock to wait moored slightly up stream for us. We were to exit in the last lock full but then lead the way up the river.

At 15.12 we moved into the lock and the adrenaline began to kick in. We shared the lock with other boats but there still seemed to be a lot of room around us. After a few minutes the gates opened and the vast expanse of water came into view. I rang down for full power and we shot out of the lock at15.20. The incoming tide took us round to face up steam and we were away with the rest of the convoy falling in behind us. It is a fantastic sight to come up to Tower Bridge on 'President' and we soon went under the famous bascules. The river around here was fairly choppy stirred up by the trip boats, 'Londinum 1' played a great role by keeping to a central route keeping most of the faster boats away from us. With the help of the tide we were really moving along and the boat certainly liked the deep water, some of the others were finding the going a bit too quick and were dropping back. At 16.00 we passed the London Eye and Big Ben struck 4. We went past the Houses of Parliament where George gave the watching members a little bit of nostalgia (see photo) and the one place on the river we were allowed to blow the whistle for fun rather than a signal, so I did – a lot.

After Vauxhall Bridge the river traffic became much lighter with only a few trip boats and some interesting manoeuvres from one of the rubbish tugs and lighters. Just before Kew Bridge we had a call from the Navy; they had run out off gas and could we provide some hot water as they were gasping for a cuppa. Jenny provided a kettle full and they were happy. The rest of the journey was very enjoyable with us arriving at Thames Lock Brentford just before 18.00. After locking through this and the Gauging Lock we were met by John Byham who took Richard and all the show stuff off in his car. Jenny and Ian departed with my nephew Robin who has done some great sound recordings which we will try and get on the Web site..

We then moved on up to the bottom of Hanwell Locks where all the crews were to eat in one of the pubs. When we got there we were 5 minutes late and the landlord refused to serve us, so we went off and had an enjoyable meal in an Irish Thai Restaurant, which turned out to be very good.

The next day we had a great trip up to Rickmansworth with Vic steering most of the way and Tim lock wheeling from Cowley up to Ricky. We tied up at Tesco's , Tim departed for the station and Vic and myself were picked up by Jan. The rest of the crew stayed to carry on up to the Midlands.

Many thanks to everyone involved especially the London IWA, The MVS with Londinum, The Port of London Authority, BW and the lock keepers at Limehouse and Thames Lock.

David Powell

President passing the House of Parliament at Westminster - photo by Nigel Green

President, Kildare and nb Fulbourne passing the House of Parliament - Westminster - Photo courtesy of Sidonie Ferguson

Trip schedule
Time		Miles
15.20	Departed Limehouse Lock	0
16.00	London Eye/Westminster Bridge	4.5
16.19	Chelsea Bridge	2.5
16.34	Battersea railway Bridge	1
16.41	Wandsworth Bridge	2
17.02	Palace Wharf
17.17	Chiswick Pier	4.5
17.43	Kew Bridge	1.5
17.55	Thames Lock	1
		17	6.4 mph