Find out more about the Woolwich ferry paddle steamers:
Series one:
Gordon
Built in 1888 by R and H Green, the Gordon was named after General Gordon of Khartoum (1833-1885) who was born in Woolwich and studied at the academe.
Duncan
Built in 1888 by R and H Green, the Duncan was named after Colonel Francis Duncan (1836-1888) the author of “the history of the royal artillery”. Colonel Duncan was a soldier, and Member of Parliament. He was Director of the St Johns Ambulance Brigade from 1877 until 1882. He died at Woolwich and is buried in Charlton.
Hutton
Built in 1893 by William Simons and Company Ltd, the Hutton was named after Sir John Hutton D.L., J.P, Member of the London County Council from 1889 - 1901 and was its Chairman from 1892-1895.
Series two:
Squires
Built in 1922 by Samuel White and Company Ltd, the Squires was named after William James Squires (1850-1931), a Woolwich man, twice Mayor of Woolwich and for many years Chairman of the Woolwich Equitable Building Society. Squires was a bookseller and stationer who owned two shops in the town.
Gordon
Gordon built in 1923 by Samuel White and Company Ltd, like her predecessor, the Gordon named after General Gordon of Khartoum.
Will Crooks
Built in 1930 by Samuel White and Company Ltd, the Will Crooks was named after William Crooks (1852-1921) Woolwich’s first Labour Member of Parliament, who took his seat in the House of Commons in 1903. He served on the London County Council from 1892 until 1910 and was Mayor of Poplar in 1910.
John Benn
Built in 1930 by Samuel White and Company Ltd, the John Benn was named after Sir John Benn (1850-1922) ancestor of today’s Tony Benn MP. A member of the London County Council from its creation in 1889 and its Chairman from 1904-1905. he was also Member of Parliament for Davenport for six years.