 | 24 September 2014 |
|
| Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔpage | | |
| |||
| Contact Us | | |
CoastYou are in: London > Coast > A Thames Tour of Rotherhithe  The site of Execution Dock A Thames Tour of RotherhitheStage 8 The walk ends with a look across the Thames to Wapping, home of Execution Dock Did You KnowThe notorious Captain William Kidd was Scottish and started his nautical career as a New York businessman  A restored warehouse in Wapping Walk down Elephant Lane, past the Ship pub, where you can get excellent views across to Wapping. As you look towards Wapping there is much evidence of the warehouses and docks that once thrived in this area. Tea, coffee, sugar, rum, spices, silks, furs and tobacco were just some of the cargoes brought into Wapping during the 18th and 19th centuries.  The site of Execution Dock Pirates and thieves also flourished. Pirates would ambush ships coming into the area and also steal outgoing cargoes. If you look opposite you can see the Captain Kidd pub, named after the famous pirate executed at Execution Dock in 1701. Execution Dock was located by the Thames near to this pub and dealt with convicted pirates for over 400 years. Pirates who operated on the seas and abroad would also be tried back in London.
The gallows were located by the Thames so that the tide could wash over the body three times. More notorious pirates, including Kidd, were left to hang in a gibbet, a type of metal cage, to deter other would be criminals. Older pictures of hangings clearly show St Mary’s Church, Rotherhithe in the background.  The Marine Support Unit You will also see the headquarters of The Marine Support Unit (MSU), at Wapping Police Station on the River Thames (cream and white building) founded in 1798. To your left you can see Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and other London landmarks. Not far from where you stand today are the remains of a 1350s Manor house for Edward III and the historic Angel pub, currently being refurbished. The walk ends here unless you want to visit the Manor House remains, close to the Thames by King’s Stairs Gardens and The Angel Pub. If you wish to visit this area you can walk through the park and head back to the Thames Path. The Angel Pub, currently being refurbished, dates back to the 15th century and is thought to be where Turner painted his famous painting of the Fighting Temeraire. last updated: 12/03/2008 at 10:18
| |||||||||||||
| | About the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy Μύ |
Introduction
