Skiff, rowing skiff

This wooden waterman's rowing skiff painted green was built by Cory's Barge Works in Charlton for the Port of London Authority (PLA). It was one of a number used by the PLA Marine Department and it ended its days as a wreck marker. Discovered in a derelict state in 1980, the skiff is a rare survivor of the 700 skiffs that once that worked in the Port of London. Such rowing skiffs were primarily used to carry passengers, tow rafts of timber, receive ships' mooring cables and deliver post to ships in the Pool of London. They also provided a service to lightermen, stevedores and other port workers who had to reach vessels moored in the tideway. Although restored in the 1980s the skiff retains many original features including a brass maker's nameplate and the mark 'PLA Mer 149' carved on the inside stern.