South Thames : Tower Bridge to Thamesmead /compiled by Hilary Heffernan.

"The River Thames is changing beyond recognition as newly built or converted apartment blocks take over from old warehouses, wharves and river businesses. Gradually the old river is disappearing and only through the recollections and photographs of those who worked, and still work, on the river can its former, bustling glory be recallled. The author has met and travelled with a variety of river people; watermen, River pilots, ex-tug skippers, rowers, dockers, stevedores, lightmen and even the Royal Navy to acquire the information, the memorabilia and the pictures that make up this book. Rivermen recall times not far distant when there were so many ships in the river, docks and wharves they could walk across their decks from one side of the river to the other! THe river was a way of life that is no longer possible because the docks and ships have all gone, no-one builds barges any more and ships seldom sail above Greenwich with their cargoes. This book is a fascinating collection of old photographs, anecdotes and snippets of history depicting life as it was along the south bank of the Thames, from Tower Bridge to Thamesmead."--Provided by the publisher.