A Jolly Thames Waterman

An animated waterman is shown ushering commuters aboard a boat on the River Thames. The role of watermen was to transport people across the river during the 18th and early 19th centuries. They were in high demand as boats were a popular means of transport.

Rowlandson was a famed caricaturist who has here exaggerated and distorted the faces and bodies of the figures to comical effect. To the right, a small boat is transporting three people towards London Bridge, seen faintly in the distance, but it is struggling under their combined weight. The boat in the foreground is occupied by both men and women but the waterman is determined to find room for a couple, who are preparing to board from the left.

Thames watermen had a reputation of being devious. As well as over-charging their customers, some less scrupulous watermen stole clients from their competitors. As the 19th century progressed, they were gradually superseded by Thames steamers, as well as by road and rail transport.