01/11/2022
The Thames Lighter
The traditional Thames lighter was the lifeline for cargo on the river , built in the thousands , some even built and shipped abroad because they were so well designed , only a handful now remain in regular use. The lighter was originally driven under oars by a lighterman, but in later years were towed behind a tug. There were so many of these lighters that in some stretches of river, you could almost walk from one side of the river to the other on the barge roads. The PLA (among others) still use a number of lighters for marine services such as driftwood collection and mooring barges. A number of Thames lighters can also be found converted into houseboats.
