Hay-boat on the Thames. 1859. From The Book of the Thames from its Rise to its Fall, p. 81. Text and formatting by George P. Landow. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the University of Pittsburgh and the Internet Archive and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]

Commentary by the Halls

We next reach Hungerford Market — with its picturesque suspension-bridge for foot passengers, completed in 1845, under the direction of Mr. I. K. Brunel — and notice the group of hay-boats, with their brilliantly painted hulls, and brightly-coloured sails, unloading at the wharf beside it. They bring their cargoes of hay often from a long distance, and may be seen encountering the roughest weather. A number of them always come up every tide to Hungerford Bridge, where their freight is principally landed. [425-26]

Other drawings and photographs of Victorian barges

Bibliography

Hall, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. The Book of the Thames from its Rise to its Fall. London: Arthur Hall, Virtue, and Co., 1859. Internet Archive version of a copy in the William and Mary Darlington Memorial Libray, the University of Pittsburgh. Web. 10 March 2012.


Last modified 10 March 2012