Air draft Hammersmith Bridge for a Viking ship

[oldgit]

Do you plan to do any pillaging on the way ?

Thought that was the EAs job, according to many Thames boaters ?


We have all things lowered Air Draft of 3.82 M( 12.5 ft) working with the tides have never had problem going up under Hammersmith .
Time our departure from the Medway to suit, however if moored overnight in one of the tidal Thames Marinas easier to plan.

Much prefer Neaps for a more relaxed trip.

Our boat has a hull water draft of about 1m, try to time things to arrive with about 2m under the props at Chelsea and creep up with the tide to Hammersmith.
Coming down can be more problematical.
Got to get out of Teddington and down early enough against incoming tide to get under Hammersmith or if leaving after HW , arriving at Hammersmith with enough water gone to get under without hanging around .

There is a foot bridge on the non tidal which does cause us to worry but at Windsor Bridge we do have an inch or two to spare.
As always, going down with the flow is more likely for concerns that against the flow.

Picture taken in late 1950 or 1960s of a replica Viking ship arriving ............. taken somewhere off Kent coast most probably Pegwell Bay, Where the first visitors are alleged to have run up the beach , No rubber boats then perhaps .... .

 

[Bouba]

Thought that was the EAs job, according to many Thames boaters ?

You are mistaking pillaging for plundering

 

[oldgit]

You are mistaking pillaging for plundering

The Abbey at Minster on the sceptrd Isle of Sheppey was visited on numerous occassions by our Nordic cousins up for bit of both.
Eventually they got fed up with having all their fenders and supplies nicked and married the local girls to discover how to do this properly along with TWOCing other peoples Corsas and Astra GTEs

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Also beware as tides can be significantly above prediction. It's been raining a lot and when i looked this morning the tide at was 1.55 meters above prediction at Richmond. Tidal information.

It is worth listening to the River broadcasts from London VTS Channel 14 at xx15h and xx45h. They give tidal heights and metres above or below prediction.

You can also request this information by calling them but that far up you need a decent VHF set and antenna.

I think the nearest tide is Chelsea.

When I came up in March there was 80 cumecs going through the Jubilee river flood alleviation scheme (normal flow around 8 to 10 cumecs) which is half of its capacity. That is a lot of extra water which causes huge fluvial flow in the upper parts of the tidal Thames. The inward tide was negated and the half lock barrage was open all the time.

When I went up from Putney to Teddington on an 'incoming tide' the River was flowing outward bound even though the tide was coming in.

Coincidentally the Jubilee river is currently running 80 cumecs although this is reducing quickly now.

 

[oldgit]

Would love to know how this "raid" is progressing.....................
Would suspect the air draft problem is the Dragon on the prow ?

 

[WatermanPaul]

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

Hi Adam, I would suggest using the Chelsea tide gauge. I work on the Thames and I am a licenced waterman and work that area regularly.
You can download the PLA handbook as a PDF and this has all the bridge info on it and the PLA webpage now has tide curves and prediction tools.
If you need any help feel free to get in touch.
Paul Hastings.

 

[Coastgal]

When I came up in March against heavy fluvial flow I called Hurlingham yacht club by telephone and they said it was ok to go on one of their yellow buoys.

The Hurlingham Yacht Club is a fab little club - always welcome to non-members. (And great beer on Friday nights!)