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28
The table in Whittaker gives, for Wednesday, 13th Sept., Sun
rise 5.33, sets 6.18, or say 12£ working hours, therefore the ordinary
working of the two Ferry Boats could have conveyed 1800 (eighteen
hundred) foot passengers only, whereas the foot passengers crossing
the Bridge on that day numbered 7344, in addition to 1515 vehicles
for which no provision is made.
Hammersmith, 18th Sept., 1882. T. E. JONES.
Upon the reassembling of the Board, steps were at once taken to
place the matter formally before the Metropolitan Board of "Works
and the following Memorial was presented—
TO THE HONOURABLE METROPOLITAN BOARD OF
WORKS.
The humble Memorial of the Board of Works for the Fulham
District.
SHEWETH, That your Memorialists have heard with the deepest
alarm of the proposal of your honourable Board to stop up Hammersmith
Bridge during the progress of the alterations and new
works about to be carried out there, and to provide for the traffic a
service of Ferry Boats as described in the specification in the
following manner.
Extract of Specification of Works.
FERRY BOATS.
6. Previous to the Contractor commencing any work of demolition
that might endanger, hinder, or obstruct the foot traffic over
the bridge. he shall supply upon the site of the works two large
ferry row boats, perfectly safe and stable, for the use of twelve full
grown persons; and to enable passengers to embark and disembark
with facility and convenience, shall provide two inclined timber
stagings, moveable on two wheels with broad tires. The framework
of the stagings shall be strong and light, and capable of
being rapidly moved on either foreshore.
7. Each ferry boat shall be under the sole charge and guidance
of two certificated Thames boatmen.
8. The boats shall, throughout the day, between the hours of
sunrise and sunset, simultaneously cross the river between the
stageings aforementioned, allowing regular intervals between the
crossings of ten minutes, and at such times during the night as
may from time to time be specified by the Engineer.
9. The ferry boats shall cross the river Thames, as described,
every day in the year, and for as long a period as the condition of
the contract works may render it necessary for the accommodation
of foot traffic. No crossings to be permitted during the prevalence
of thick fog or floating ice.
10. The Contractor shall take every precaution desirable to ensure
the safety of the passengers embarking and leaving the ferry
boats, and he shall be entirely responsible for any accidents which