Company of Watermen and Lightermen

The Company of Watermen and Lightermen (CWL) is a historic City Guild in the City of London. However, unlike the other 110 livery companies in the city, CWL is a company which does not have a Grant of Livery like other ancient trade associations and guilds in London. Its meeting rooms are at Waterman's Hall on St Mary at Hill, London.

The Company of Watermen and Lightermen's arms comprises fish and cross keys, supported by a merman and mermaid, and motto in old orthography "All Worship be to God only"

The role of watermen was to transfer passengers, while lighterman moved goods and cargo, between the Port of London and vessels moored in the River Thames. Although modern river workers are now licensed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Company continues its roles arranging apprenticeships, lobbying on river matters, and organising historic annual events and ceremonies.

The Company's current clerk is Julie Lithgow, formerly director of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

History
Watermen's Hall, London EC3
See also: Pool of London and London Docklands

CWL was established in the medieval period to support and maintain rights of the river workers who plied their trade on the River Thames. The two main occupations were that of watermen and lightermen. The Watermen transferred passengers across and along city centre rivers and estuaries. Most notable are those on the Thames and Medway. Other rivers such as the Tyne and Dee in Wales had watermen who formed guilds in medieval times.[1] Lightermen transfer goods between ships and quays (including wharves, jetties and piers) – they specifically loaded, which is to say in mostly obsolete English once dominant in such activities 'laded' (surviving in Bill of Lading and the phrases fully laden with responsibility/ passengers / with heavy weight(s)) goods and late – after a ship's mooring or anchoring – 'alighted' other goods. In the Port of London they overwhelmingly used flat-bottomed barges, called lighters.[1]

The Company's medieval to industrial era consultable apprenticeship index is now a popular genealogy source.[1][2]

Three public houses near the Thames retain memorabilia of the Company's famous annual rowing race, established in 1715:

Annual rowing race

The Doggett's Coat and Badge, which was first raced in 1715, is the oldest continuously-run river race. It also lays claim to being the oldest continually staged annual sports event;[3] though is among single sculls today rather than original skiffs or lighters. The winner's prize is a watermen's red coat plus a silver badge, displaying the White Horse of Hanover and the word "Liberty", in honour of George I's ascending the throne. Each completing competitor of the six apprentices chosen receives a miniature of a Doggett's Badge for their lapel in a ceremony at Watermen's Hall, in silver for the winner and in bronze for the others. The Fishmongers' Company sponsors the awards, rewarding the rowing clubs of the top four with tiered prizes of £1,000, £600, £400, and £200.[4]

Mayoral duties

Every June, since 1381, the Company holds the Knollys Rose Ceremony when a well-dressed procession presents fresh rose to the incumbent Lord Mayor of London at his official residence, the Mansion House.[1] CWL also takes part in the annual Lord Mayor's Show.

Modern role

CWL is active lobbying on river-related matters. It often works alongside the Passenger Boat Association raising issues about jobs, legislation, and safety. The organisation uses its historic status to negotiate with the UK Government and its agencies on behalf of members. For example, in 2003 the Company of Watermen and Lightermen was given funding to provide assistance grants to apprentices from the riverside east London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham.[1]

Charitable work

In 1975 a linked charity, Transport on Water (TOW), was founded by members and people in public life. It aims to maintain the Thames and other waterways, including the Medway, as working rivers. It has organised the Thames Barge Driving Race (annually in June, since 1974).[1]

See also

References
  1. "The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames|Home". Watermen and Lightermen. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  2. "Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section - Records of the Watermen & Lightermen". History.ac.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  3. "Doggett Coat and Badge Race". The Company of Watermen and Lightermen. Archived from the original on 13 March 2006.
  4. "Doggett's coat and badge, 1920. - People and places". Port Cities. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2015.

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