Air draft Hammersmith Bridge for a Viking ship

[snatchblock]

Hi there, I am trying to work out the maximum air draft of Hammersmith Bridge. I have found the Airdraft of 3.5 m MHWS, but can't figure out which tide tables are used to give a datum. i will be taking a 20.6 m Viking ship upriver, obviously with the mast lowered, which gives us an air draft of 4.2 m. Can anyone suggest how large a window i might have to get through? I am aware that it will vsrysprings/neaps etc, but i can plan my passage round that.

On the same point, I believe that we can make it up as far as Windsor bridge before having to stop, can anyone confirm that for me?

Many thanks
Adam B

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Use the secondary port times for Hammersmith Bridge. They’re in Absolute Tides. Range there can be very significant, 5.3metres today. Your air draft will need a drop from HW of > 0.7m which isn’t much, you should be ok if you plan for 2 hours after local high water springs, or less on neaps of course, so your window is very wide.

One issue there is that there is nowhere convenient to wait if you miss the window on a rising tide.

Window this morning for example you would have been ok from 4am to 2pm, 10 hours.

 

[snatchblock]

You are a star sir, many thanks!

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Presumably this is for next year.


Bridge heights are taken at normal summer level. Quite a lot of places below Windsor are significantly above summer levels at the moment and this is highly likely to remain the case until well into the next year.

Also there are red boards strong stream advice at every lock on the non tidal section currently.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I’m also assuming that the vessel has a motor, not oars. Otherwise the locks will prove a tad tricky!

 

[Sticky Fingers]

You are a star sir, many thanks!

FYI this is the curve for today.

 

[Bouba]

Do you plan to do any pillaging on the way ?

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I like a good pillage. Its something to tell the grandkids about.

 

[westernman]

Use the secondary port times for Hammersmith Bridge. They’re in Absolute Tides. Range there can be very significant, 5.3metres today. Your air draft will need a drop from HW of > 0.7m which isn’t much, you should be ok if you plan for 2 hours after local high water springs, or less on neaps of course, so your window is very wide.

One issue there is that there is nowhere convenient to wait if you miss the window on a rising tide.

Window this morning for example you would have been ok from 4am to 2pm, 10 hours.

Presumably if the tide is already going out, he could simply put a warp around a bridge pier.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

If it’s going out he’s only got about max an hour to waste, more of an issue if you’re waiting 4 hours or so on a rising tide.

 

[Bouba]

I like a good pillage. Its something to tell the grandkids about.

They should do something....at least a stop off at Wetherspoons.....telling the locals you arrived by longship ought to impress them

 

[PeterBoater]

There are air draught indicator posts either side of the bridge. Whatever you do, don't hit the bridge; the last one who did ended up with, I believe, a £1,000 fine and £10,000 costs.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

There are air draught indicator posts either side of the bridge. Whatever you do, don't hit the bridge; the last one who did ended up with, I believe, a £1,000 fine and £10,000 costs.

Yep. Best to plan to arrive with plenty of air draft available.

 

[Pump-Out]

Hi there, I am trying to work out the maximum air draft of Hammersmith Bridge. I have found the Airdraft of 3.5 m MHWS, but can't figure out which tide tables are used to give a datum

Port of London's own tables. Have a look at the bottom of this page:
Shop
I'm a little surprised the 2025 edition is not yet available. But when it is £3.00 well spent.

As for further upstream I've seen Gloriana as far as Henley - is she a similar shape/air draught?