Greenwich Reach

This is a contemporary postcard published by the Island History Trust/Docklands Light Railway Transport series 1 and is titled, “Paddle Steamer ferry service leaving Greenwich for the Isle of Dogs C. 1900”. In fact, this is largely incorrect, the paddle steamer was not a ferry but a river bus service belonging to the River Thames Steamboat Company and dates from 1886 to 1889. The paddle steamer is leaving Greenwich Pier heading west and upstream. The "Prince Arthur" was built at Nine Elms for the Woolwich Steam Packet Company in 1866. In 1876 the company together with several other Thames steamboat companies were taken over by the London Steamboat Company and the "Prince Arthur" was worked in the London Steamboat livery until 1886 when that company was taken over by the River Thames Steamboat Company in whose livery she is seen in this photograph. The last company only lasted for four years, from 1886 until 1889, she was paid off in 1894 whilst in the ownership of the Victoria Steamboat Association.

 

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