River Thames Visitor Centre | National Historic Ships

Registration number 2109

Status Registered

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River Thames Visitor Centre - starboard side

Previous names

Duke of Cambridge

Details

Function Cargo Vessel

Subfunction Lighter

Location Richmond Upon Thames

Vessel type Thames Lighter

Current use Community Vessel

Available to hire No

Available for excursions No

Web address www.riverthamesvisitorcentre.com

Construction

Built in 1900

Hull material Steel

Rig None

Number of decks 1

Propulsion Manpower

Primary engine type None

Boiler type None

Boilermaker None

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam

15.00 feet (4.58m)

Depth

4.00 feet (1.22m)

Length: Overall

60.00 feet (18.30m)

History

Built in 1900 as one of twelve Victorian Thames Lighters, RIVER THAMES VISITOR CENTRE is a man-powered barge of steel plate construction. These lighters were each named after one of the children of King George III and THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE was named after Prince Adolphus who was created Duke in 1801. The lighter's current historical signicance is based on its comparitive rarity - she is a surviving example of a type of barge once extremely common on the Thames, but now is probably the sole survivor of the 'Duke' class. Today, she is based at Richmond on Thames and used, as her name suggests, as a 'not for profit' project which aims to raise awareness of River Thames issues and to be an educational resource.

Significance

What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

RIVER THAMES VISITOR CENTRE has undergone considerable maintenance work to the hull and a new steel super-structure has been added to accommodate her change of use as a visitor centre.

What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

The vessel was built in 1900 as one of twelve Victorian Thames lighters. They were each named after one of the children of King George III, with this vessel being named for Prince Adolphus who was created Duke in 1801. Lighters and barges were a common form of cargo transport on UK rivers and estuaries and there are many different types of these surviving today on the National Register of Historic Vessels (NRHV). However, RIVER THAMES VISITOR CENTRE has a level of significance as the sole survivor of the Duke class and one of only two similar Thames lighters on the NRHV. This gives her a regional significance which is heightened by her heritage setting on a mooring that has been in existence for over 100 years.

How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

RIVER THAMES VISITOR CENTRE was built of riveted steel plate. The hull retains its original form and internally has been left exposed so that the riveted construction can be viewed by visitors.

Source: Hannah Cunliffe, National Historic Ships, Jan 2011.

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

Name River Thames Visitor Centre