Page 4 - The Pettards of Bermondsey - Lightermen

The Lightermen.

The census data of 1871 to 1911 shows the growth of the family and from these censuses we learn much of the ups and downs of the family in the second half of the 1800 century. The connection with the river and its local industries are still evident. Joseph Henry is registered as a Lighterman, Lighterman being workers who transferred goods between ships and quays as well as from factory to factory or warehouse up and down the river.

These transfers were carried out aboard flat bottom boats known as barges or lighters, hence lighterman were also referred to as bargees.  They were the most characteristic group of workers in the London Docks at the heydays of the Port of London.  They are distinctly different to the ‘waterman’ whose job is to carry people not goods.  In 1700 the Livery Company of Waterman and Lighterman was establish by act of parliament so important had the work become.  Livery Companies are trade associations based in the City of London formed to regulate trade, wage and labour conditions.

Up until the docks were built, and also for a long time after due to high tariffs imposed by the docks owners, ships would moor in the middle of the river Thames and transfer their goods to lighters.  Lighterman would then ride the river currents, up stream when the tide was coming in, down stream with the tide out; as such this was considered an extremely skilled job, requiring intimate knowledge of the rivers tides and currents.

A passing thought, who knows maybe our family were part of this area since the beginning of ships and river trade.

             Lighter boats Southwark bridge.                 Lighterman Southwark bridge 1891