Contents page for Rotherhithe Heritage



Hale's Rocket Factory


As I posted quite frequently about local history subjects that interest me, in no sort of chronological, thematic or geographical order, it makes it somewhat difficult for visitors to find what they are looking for.  I have therefore listed most of my heritage and local history posts by theme on this page.  Where a post comes into more than one category, it has been in each relevant category.  All recent posts are listed here but some of the older ones have not been added.


  • General
  • Inland docks and dock fittings
  • Ships, shipbuilding and ship breaking
  • Canals and Tunnels
  • Wharves, dry docks, granaries, factories and other commercial buildings
  • Churches, schools and municipal buildings
  • Past residential buildings
  • Modern buildings and features
  • Pubs
  • Local place names, pub names and phrases
  • Local residents
  • Wildlife
  • Famous names

General


Rotherhithe heritage in trouble? A few examples (2013)

http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/heritage-in-trouble-few-examples.html 

Rotherhithe's Downtown area
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/rotherhithes-downtown-area.html

The wonderful world of London stock and its use in Rotherhithe in the Georgian and Victorian periods
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-wonderful-world-of-london-stock-and.html

The 1871 "Great Fire" at Rotherhithe's King and Queen Granaryhttp://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-1871-great-fire-at-rotherhithe.html


Dividing Rotherhithe from Deptford:  Earl's Sluice, or the Black Ditch
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/dividing-rotherhithe-from-deptford.html

A walk from Surrey Docks Farm to Nelson Dock along the Thames Foreshore
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/from-surrey-docks-farm-to-nelson-dock.html

Tobacco clay pipe fragments along the Thames foreshore
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/clay-tobacco-pipe-fragments-from-thames.html

Walking tours of historic Rotherhithe, available online
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/walking-tours-of-rotherhithe-available.html

Daniel Defoe's view of 1720s Rotherhithe and Deptford
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/daniel-defoes-view-of-1720s-rotherhithe.html

The meaning of Rotherhithe and Redriff
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-meaning-of-rotherhithe-and-redriffe.html

A visit to the Museum of London Docklands Museum, September 2013
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/a-visit-to-museum-of-london-docklands.html

Historical floods in Rotherhithe
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/historical-floods-in-rotherhithe.html

Book: "On The River - Memories of a Working River" 
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.com/2015/03/book-on-river-memories-of-working-river.html

James Abbott McNeill Whistler in Rotherhithe: The Thames Set
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/james-abbott-mcneill-whistler-in.html

Inland docks and dock fittings


Howland Great Wet Dock 1699 - 1807
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/rotherhithe-heritage-2-howland-great.html

The Development of the Surrey Commercial Dock system 1699-1909
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-development-of-surrey-commercial.html 

Whaling at Howland Great Wet Dock / Greenland Dock 1763 - 1806
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/rotherhithe-heritage-3-whaling-at.html 

A short history of Greenland Dock 1806 - 1970
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/a-short-history-of-greenland-dock-1806.html



The Development of the Grand Surrey Canal and Dock Company's system 1811- 1864

http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-development-of-docks-of-grand.html

A Short History of South Dock, Rotherhithe, 1811 - 2014
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a-short-history-of-south-dock.html


The Michael Rizzello sculpture on Stave Hill - the Docks in 1896
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/michael-rizzello-sculpture-on-stave.html

Greenland Dock Turn of the 20th Century buildings
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/greenland-dock-turn-of-century-buildings.html

Bridges of Greenland Dock
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/bridges-of-greenland-dock.html

Visitors 1:  Mid 20th-century Cunard liners at Greenland Dock
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/mid-20th-century-cunard-liners-at.html

Visitor Ships 3: The Onkers at Surrey Commercial Docks 
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/visitors-3-onkers-at-surrey-commercial.html


Visitor Ships 2: A snapshot of ships present in Greenland Dock in the late 1950s
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/a-snapshot-of-ships-present-in.html

Visitor Ships 4: Canadian Pacific at Surrey Commercial Docks 1920s - 1940 
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.com/2015/02/visitor-ships-4-canadian-pacific-at.html  

Ships, shipbuilding, breaking and mooring


HMS Taunton 1654, the first ship known to be built on Rotherhithe for the Royal Navyhttp://russiadock.blogspot.sg/2015/03/hms-taunton-1654-first-ship-known-to-be.html
 

Shipbuilding at the Barnard's Wharf site c.1750 - 1840
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/shipbuilding-at-barnards-wharf-site.html 

The frigate HMS Tartar, built in Rotherhithe by John Randall in 1756
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/hms-tartar-built-in-rotherhithe-by-john.html


Nelson, Polar bears and the career of the bomb vessel HMS Carcass (1759)
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-fascinating-career-of-bomb-vessel.html 

Strikes and the HMS Ajax scandal - the beginning of the end for Thames shipbuilding 1786-1813
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/trouble-in-paradise-1786-1813-beginning.html


John Randall's 1797 HMS Acasta built at Nelson Dock, Rotherhithe
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/john-randalls-1797-hms-acasta-built-at.html

HMS York, built in 1807 at Nelson Dock
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/hms-york-built-in-1807-at-nelson-dock.html

Thames Paddle Steamer, London Engineer, 1818
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-london-engineer-thames-paddle.html

The first Post Office steam packets, 1821: Lightening and Meteor http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-first-post-office-steam-packets.html

One of the earliest steam warships: The Rising Star 1821

http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/an-early-steam-warship-rising-star.html

From Rotherhithe to Australia: The 1830 steamship William The Fourth
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/from-rotherhithe-to-australia-steamship.html


The 1844 paddle steamer Ariel
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-1844-paddle-steamer-ariel.html

Banshee 1847 - one of the last Admiralty-ordered mail packets
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/banshee-one-of-last-admiralty-ordered.html

The clipper Orient, 1953, built by Bilbe and Perry at Nelson Dock
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/orient-built-by-bilbe-and-perry-at.html

Wynaud 1854:  A tea clipper built for the opium trade
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wynaud-tea-clipper-built-for-opium-trade.html  


Borealis 1864:  A tea clipper built at Nelson Dock
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/borealis-1864-tea-clipper-buiilt-at.html

The 1866 tea clipper Shun Lee, built at Rotherhithe's Lavender Dock
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-1866-clipper-shun-lee-built-at.html

Built in Rotherithe's Nelson Dock: Argonaut 1866, the last clipper built by Thomas Bilbe
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/argonaut-1866-last-clipper-built-by.html

The 1869 tea clipper Ambassador, built at Rotherhithe's Lavender Dock
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-1869-tea-clipper-ambassador-built.html

The tea clipper Lothair 1870: The last large ship to be built in Rotherhithe 
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/lothair-last-large-ship-to-be-built-at.html


A 1931 Thames Barge - The Lady of the Lea
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/1931-thames-barge-lady-of-lea.html

Visitors 1:  Mid 20th-century Cunard liners at Greenland Dock
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/mid-20th-century-cunard-liners-at.html

The Talbot Family: 19th and 20th Century Barge Buildershttp://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-talbot-family-19th-century-barge.html

Charles Hay and Son. Barge and lighter builders
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/charles-hay-and-sons.html

Beatsons - the Rotherhithe ship-breakers who broke up HMS Temeraire 
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-beatsons-ship-breaking-family-in.html

The breaking up of HMS Queen 1839-1871
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/hms-queen-1839-1871.html


Research Project: The Surrey Docks Farm site (Acorn Wharf / South Wharf)
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/quest-to-find-out-more-about-heritage.html

Visitor Ships 3: The Onkers at Surrey Commercial Docks 
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/visitors-3-onkers-at-surrey-commercial.html


Visitor Ships 2: A snapshot of ships present in Greenland Dock in the late 1950s
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/a-snapshot-of-ships-present-in.html

Visitor Ships 4: Canadian Pacific at Surrey Commercial Docks 1920s - 1940 
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.com/2015/02/visitor-ships-4-canadian-pacific-at.html  


Canals and Tunnels

A history of the Grand Surrey Canal 1801-1940
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-grand-surrey-canal-1801-1940.html

A walk through what remains of the 1807-1940 Grand Surrey Canal
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-walk-through-what-remains-of-grand.html

Before the Thames Tunnel:  The Thames Archway 1805 - 1809
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/before-thames-tunnel-thames-archway.html

Mark Brunel in Rotherhithe.  The Thames Tunnel 1825 - 1843
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/marc-brunel-in-rotherhithe-construction.html

Wharves, dry docks, granaries, factories and other commercial buildings

Lavender Dock and Lavender Wharf 1684-1937 (today's Sovereign View) http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/lavender-dock-and-lavender-wharf-1684.html
Rotherhithe's Gas Supply, the Clarence Pier and the Gas Tower, 1843- 1959 http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/clarence-wharf-gasometer-and-history-of.html


Hope Sufferance Wharf and Granary, Rotherhithe Village, 1850-2014
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/hope-sufferance-wharf-and-granary.html

The 1871 "Great Fire" at Rotherhithe's King and Queen Granary
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-1871-great-fire-at-rotherhithe.html



The Hale Rocket Factory scandal
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-hales-rocket-factory.html

Burning Ground and the Condemned Hole
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/burning-ground-and-condemned-hole.html

The Scotch Derrick, Commercial Wharf and Commercial Dock Pier
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-scotch-derrick-commercial-wharf-and.html

The Scotch Derrick under threat from developers
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/please-help-to-save-red-crane-on-thames.html


Charles Hay and Son. Barge and lighter builders
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/charles-hay-and-sons.html

Beatsons - the Rotherhithe ship-breakers who broke up HMS Temeraire 
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-beatsons-ship-breaking-family-in.html

Prince's Tower (formerly Prince's Wharf), Rotherhithe
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/princes-tower-rotherhithe-street.html

Surrey Docks Farm (Acorn Wharf / South Wharf) Heritage Project
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/surrey-docks-farm-heritage-project.html

The wonderful world of London stock and its use in Rotherhithe in the Georgian and Victorian periods
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-wonderful-world-of-london-stock-and.html


Churches, schools, charities and municipal buildings


Peter Hills School, St Marychurch Street, Rotherhithe. Established 1613.
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/peter-hills-school.html

St Mary's Rotherhithe. Rebuilt 1714.
https://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-church-of-st-mary-virgin.html 

St Olave's Workhouse, Lower Road, Rotherhithe 1728-1884
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/a-history-of-rotherhithe-workhouse-on.html

Burning Ground and the Condemned Hole
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/burning-ground-and-condemned-hole.html

The Rotherhithe Watch House of 1821
 http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-rotherhithe-village-watch-house-of.html

The Rotherhithe Fire Engine House of 1821 http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/the-1821-fire-engine-house-rotherhithe.html


A Short History of All Saints 1839, Rotherhithe (destoryed)
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/a-history-of-all-saints-church.html

The History of Trinity Church 1837 and 1856 (old and new), Rotherhithe
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-history-of-trinity-church.html

The Ebenezer Chapel (Rotherhithe Street, destroyed) and the Dockland Settlement Development
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-ebenezer-chapel-and-dockland.html


The St Paul's Chapel (destroyed) 1850
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-st-pauls-chapel-destroyed.html

St Barnabas Church, 1872, and the Gomm Schools of 1874
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-church-of-st-barnabas-1870-2-and.html

St Olave's Infirmary 1875-1985
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/st-olaves-hospital-1875-1985.html

St Peter and the Guardian Angels, Paradise Street, 1902-3
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/st-peter-and-guardian-angels-paradise.html

Fisher Football Club from 1908 - 2016
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/fisher-football-club-returning-in-2016.html

 

Past residential buildings


William Gaitskell House, 1814

http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/sir-william-gaitskell-house-1814.html

A painting of Lower Manor House (Rotherhithe) 1826, by George Yates 
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/a-painting-of-lower-manor-house-1826-by.html

The people in the classic photograph of the 1928 flood of Rotherhithe, Mestaers Estate
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-people-in-classic-photograph-of.html 

A brief history of Redriff Estate from 1931 - 1990
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-brief-history-of-redriff-estate-from.html


Modern buildings and features


Rusting by design:  Michael Cain and companions
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/rusting-by-design-michael-caine-and.html

New Sustrans Portrait Bench for Greenland Dock, August 2013

http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-sustrans-portrait-bench-at.html


Boost given to campaign for Alfred Salter statue group
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/boost-given-to-campaign-for-restoration.html

Prince's Tower (formerly Prince's Wharf), Rotherhithe
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/princes-tower-rotherhithe-street.html

A new sculptural feature for Brunswick Quay?
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/a-new-sculptural-feature-for-brunswick.html

For a 1982 feasaibility study, airships landed behind South Dock
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/a-1982-feasibility-study-saw-airships.html


Pubs


A late nineteenth century pub - The Ship and Whale
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/a-nineteenth-century-pub-ship-and-whale.html

The Angel Public House
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-angel-public-house.html

The Mayflower and the Pilgrim Fathers
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-mayflower-and-pilgrim-fathers.html

The Clipper on Rotherhithe Street
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-clipper-up-for-sale.html

Rotherhithe pub names
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/rotherhithe-pubs-names-and-history.html

The China Garden
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/the-china-hall-rotherhithe.html 

St Helena Tea Gardens and Tavern
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/st-helenas-tea-garden-and-tavern.html


Local place-names, pub names and phrases

The meanings of Rotherhithe and Redriff

Burning Ground and the Condemned Hole
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/burning-ground-and-condemned-hole.html

Dockland and maritime phrases that have survived into colloquial English
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/dockland-and-maritime-phrases-that-have.html

Rotherhithe Street Names part 1
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/rotherhithe-street-names-part-1.html

Rotherhithe Street Names part 2
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/rotherhtihe-street-names-part-2.html

Rotherhithe pub names
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/rotherhithe-pubs-names-and-history.html



Local residents


The Talbot Family: 19th and 20th Century Barge Builders
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-talbot-family-19th-century-barge.html


Charles Hay and Son. Barge and lighter builders
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/charles-hay-and-sons.html

The Mayflower and the Pilgrim Fathers
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-mayflower-and-pilgrim-fathers.html

The will of Edward Maister of Rotherhithe. Sailor and Owner,  died 1582
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/will-of-edward-maisters-of-rotherhithe.html

The will of Magdalen Masiter of Rotherhithe and Southwark. Widow. Written 1609 with a 1614 codicil
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/the-will-of-magdalen-maisters-of.html


Beatsons - the Rotherhithe ship-breakers who broke up HMS Temeraire 
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-beatsons-ship-breaking-family-in.html

The people in the classic photograph of the 1928 flood of Rotherhithe
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-people-in-classic-photograph-of.html 


Wildlife


Squirrels: An American invasion of England
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/american-invasion-of-england.html

Pigeon Pie
http://russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/pigeon-pie.html


Famous names


Nelson, Polar bears and the career of the bomb vessel HMS Carcass (1759)
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-fascinating-career-of-bomb-vessel.html


Daniel Defoe's view of 1720s Rotherhithe and Deptford
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/daniel-defoes-view-of-1720s-rotherhithe.html

Rotherhithe's Bohemian Past: Jessica Mitford in Rotherhithe
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/jessica-mitford-in-rotherhithe.html

Rusting by design:  Michael Cain and companions
http://www.russiadock.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/rusting-by-design-michael-caine-and.html




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