l. s. d.
For every single person in the ordinary passage0 0 9
For a hogshead0 2 0
For a whole firkin0 0 2
For half a firkin0 0 1
One hundred weight0 0 4
One sack of corn, salt, &c.0 0 6
An ordinary chest, or trunk0 0 6
An ordinary hamper0 0 6
The hire of the whole tilt-boat1 2 6

Any waterman who takes more than the above rates is liable to forfeit 40s. and to suffer half a year’s imprisonment, and if he sets up a sail between Lambeth and London Bridge, upon complaint being made, as hereafter mentioned, forfeits 5s.

However any person going by water, need not make any bargain with the waterman, but only let him know at what stairs he is to land him; then paying him according to the foregoing rates, if he refuses to accept the money, the best way is to offer him more money than he demands, and to charge him not to take more than his due: But be sure to remember the number of your waterman’s boat; for if he has taken more than his fare, and you have a mind to correct him for imposing upon you, you may go to Watermens hall, by the Old Swan-stairs, and acquaint the clerk with your business (giving him at the same time the number of the boat) who will summon the waterman to the hall, to answer to your complaint: And if he is found to have acted against the prescribed rules, he will be punished according to the nature of his crime, whether it relates to exaction, sauciness, or other misbehaviour towards you.

It is proper to add, that to prevent the losing the lives of persons passing on the river, it is enacted in a statute of the 10th of George II. that no tilt-boat, row-barge, or wherry, take at one time more than thirty-seven passengers, and three more by the way; nor in any other boat or wherry more than eight, and two more by the way; nor in any ferry-boat or wherry, allowed to work on Sundays, any more than eight passengers, on pain of forfeiting for the first offence 5l. for the second offence 10l. and for the third offence to be disfranchised for twelve months from working on the river, and from enjoying the privileges of the company: And in case any person shall be drowned, where a greater number of passengers is taken in than is allowed, the watermen shall be deemed guilty of felony, and transported as felons.

By the same statute it is also enacted, that every tilt-boat shall be of the burthen of fifteen tons, and any other boat or wherry three tons; and that no Gravesend boats or wherries with close decks or bails nailed down, and not moveable, be navigated, tilt-boats only excepted, on the penalty of 10l.

Any watermen or wherrymen who wilfully or negligently lose their tide from Billingsgate to Gravesend, or from thence to Billingsgate, by putting ashore for other passengers, or by waiting or loitering by the way, so that the first passengers shall be set on shore two miles short of the place to which they are bound; such passengers shall be discharged from paying any thing for their passage.

The rulers of the watermens company are to appoint two or more officers to attend, one at Billingsgate, at every time of high-water at London Bridge, and the other at Gravesend at the first of flood; who shall publicly ring a bell for fifteen minutes, to give notice to the tilt-boats and wherries to put off. And if such wherrymen, &c. do not immediately put off on ringing the said bell; and do not effectually proceed on their voyage, but put on shore within two miles of Billingsgate or Gravesend, as the case may be; or if such boats are not navigated by two sufficient men, the youngest to be eighteen years old at least; in every such case the owners of such boats shall forfeit 5l. to be levied on the boats or goods of the owners of such boats.

And if the company of watermen neglect setting up the said bells, and appointing proper persons to ring them, they shall forfeit 50l. as shall such persons appointed to ring the said bells, forfeit 40l. for every neglect.

Watermen’s Hall near London Bridge, a handsome brick building situated with its front towards the Thames.

Waterside row, Upper Ground street.