The Thames at Shepperton

Ignore the caption of this postcard dating from the 1920s, the view shown is of Lock Island and Hamhaugh Island, which are both definitely in Shepperton! These islands mark the most southerly point of the River Thames, but are both at least partly man-made. Hamhaugh, also known in the past as Stadbury, used to be a piece of land projecting from the Middlesex bank, almost surrounded by a long loop of the river.

When Shepperton Lock was built across the neck of the piece of land in 1812, the lock channel, cut by gangs of men using nothing more than picks and shovels, effectively made the land into an island. About 1895, a further channel was cut for the lower weir, seen in the middle of this picture, which divided the island into two. These became known as Hamhaugh Island, on the left, and Lock Island, on the right. The only foot access is over the lock gates, and then over the walkway along the top of the weir (please note access is for residents and boat owners only).

About 1900, the Dunton family, who owned Hamhaugh Island as well as the boatyard now occupied by Nauticalia at the end of Ferry Lane, started to let plots of land for camping. By the 1920s these were being sold for chalet-style houses, some of which can be seen in this view. It was a fairly Spartan existence with no piped water, electricity or mains drainage. The lock island was largely occupied by the works of the Thames Conservancy, who were responsible for the upkeep of the Thames above Teddington.

Their covered boatyard can just be seen at the bottom of the photo (now occupied by Weybridge Mariners Club). Leading away from this, railway tracks can be seen, along which ran a steam-powered crane. This was used to load and unload the barges which are moored in the weir channel. These carried dredgings from the river bed, as well as stone, wood etc used to shore up the banks.

‘Thames Finds’ is the subject of the next lecture to the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society. It will be presented by former Thames dredger operator Malcolm Head, who found a great variety of historic objects during his career. The talk takes place at 8pm on Tuesday 17th November at Halliford School, Russell Road, Shepperton. All welcome, admission £2 for non-members.