As England’s longest river, stretching 215 miles (364km), the River Thames has been a silent witness to British history. From medieval times to modern-day London, this ancient waterway has fascinated visitors and residents alike.
Known worldwide, the river carries a certain reputation. Originally named Tamesis, believed to mean “dark one,” its murky waters definitely conceal many intriguing—and sometimes grim—stories. Let’s explore ten dark stories the River Thames has to tell.
Suicides on the Thames
Suicide is a global issue, starkly present in the River Thames. It’s an increasingly frequent site for attempted suicides, with about 700 incidents yearly. Tragically, 30 to 50 of these attempts result in death.
Prince William initiated a campaign in 2019 to combat male suicide, including a program to prevent accidents and self-harm along the river. He even wrote the foreword for The Stranger on the Bridge, a memoir by Johnny Benjamin, who narrowly survived a suicide attempt. He recounts his near-fatal decision to step onto a bridge ledge in London.
Reportedly, a body washes ashore almost every week. Sadly, most are due to suicide or accidental drowning. While often unreported, these tales of sorrow contribute to the Thames’ legacy of heartbreak.
The Minke Whale Tragedy
In May 2021, Londoners were both amazed and saddened to find a minke whale calf trapped in the Thames. Sadly, the story didn’t end well. Despite the excitement of spotting such a creature in the city, officials had to euthanize the whale just 24 hours later to prevent further suffering.
It’s unclear how the whale strayed so far from its natural habitat, but it does happen. In 2019, a humpback whale died after a boat collision. In 2006, a bottlenose whale was found, but a failed rescue also led to euthanasia. When these deep-sea mammals become weakened and starved in an unfamiliar environment, euthanasia is often considered the most humane option.
The Execution Dock
Capital punishment was common in London before the late 20th century. Executions, primarily for murder and treason, usually involved hanging. However, pirates and those committing offenses at sea met their end at Execution Dock.
Convicted pirates were paraded from Marshalsea Prison over London Bridge to Wapping, where Execution Dock was located. Positioned just below the low tide line, it marked the start of maritime jurisdiction. Condemned pirates received a final quart of ale before their execution.
The execution was particularly brutal, using a short rope to ensure a slow death by asphyxiation. The prisoner’s grotesque spasms during suffocation became known as the marshal’s dance. After death, the bodies were chained to the riverbank until submerged by three tides. The final hangings occurred on December 16, 1830.
The Man Who Drowned Trying to Save a Drowning Woman
One of the River Thames’ more recent tragedies is the heroic story of 20-year-old Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole. Jimi, as his friends called him, jumped into the river with another man to save a woman who had fallen from London Bridge.
On April 24, 2021, around midnight, Jimi attempted to rescue the woman. While the coast guard and marine police rescued the woman and the other man safely, they couldn’t find Olubunmi-Adewole. His body was found six hours later after an extensive search. He’s remembered as a hero.
The Great Flood of London in 1928
Early on January 7, 1928, a patrolling policeman noticed water surging over the road and discovered that the River Thames’ bank had burst. Realizing the danger, he raised the alarm. Residents were evacuated as firemen and volunteers pumped water from homes and laid sandbags. The river flooded much of central London with devastating consequences.
Fourteen people drowned, and one man had to identify the bodies of his four daughters. Almost a thousand homes were destroyed, leaving about 4,000 people homeless. Notable landmarks, including Big Ben, the Old Palace Yard at Westminster, and the Tower of London, were flooded. The Tate Gallery was severely flooded, damaging thousands of artworks.
This was the last time central London was underwater.
Murder of Claire Woolterton
On August 27, 1981, 17-year-old Claire Woolerton met her boyfriend at an amusement park in Ealing. After an argument, she insisted on walking home alone. She was never seen alive again. Her mutilated body was found on the River Thames promenade. Detectives believed the killer intended to dump her body in the river but was unaware of the pathway. The absence of blood suggested she was murdered elsewhere.
The investigation stalled until 2011, when forensic DNA evidence, stored in hopes of future technological advancements, was tested. This led to the conviction of Colin Campbell, then 66 and serving a manslaughter sentence for Deirdre Sainsbury’s death in 1984. Detectives had noted similarities between the murders but lacked proof linking Campbell to Claire’s murder. He denied any involvement.
In Deirdre’s murder trial, Campbell’s defense centered on his epilepsy, claiming he wasn’t in control. A medical professional supported this. In 2013, he used the same defense, but the medical professional no longer supported it.
The Hauntings of the River Thames
Given the River Thames’ dark history, it’s no surprise there are numerous ghost stories. One common sighting is a ghost ship seen east of Westminster Bridge and Big Ben, crewed by three mysterious men. It’s often spotted on misty days and reportedly vanishes beneath the bridge, never reappearing.
Another tale involves a figure jumping from the same bridge on New Year’s Eve, believed to be the ghost of Jack the Ripper, who supposedly took his own life in 1888 after never being caught. Are these just tricks of the mind, or is something supernatural at play?
The Marchioness Disaster
On August 20, 1989, the Marchioness, a pleasure boat, carried 130 partygoers celebrating Antonio de Vasconcellos’ 26th birthday.
Shortly before 2 am, an 18-meter dredger collided with the Marchioness, capsizing the smaller vessel within a minute. Emergency units arrived quickly, but 51 people were found dead, including Antonio de Vasconcellos. Some bodies were discovered miles away days later.
To identify the victims, the coroner, Dr. Paul Knapman, controversially ordered the removal of hands from 25 victims without family permission. This came to light in 1992. A 2000 inquiry cited poor lookouts on both vessels as the cause. The dredger captain was unaware of the collision and offered no assistance. He was acquitted in 1991.
The River Thames Torso Murders
The River Thames Torso Murders, a series of unsolved killings between 1887 and 1889, remain chilling. Occurring during Jack the Ripper’s activity, they’re believed to be the work of a different serial killer. Documented as the Rainham Mystery, the Whitehall Mystery, the murder of Elizabeth Jackson, and the Pinchin Street Torso Murder, the body parts of four women were scattered along the Thames. Only one victim was identified.
The Rainham mystery began in 1887 with the discovery of a female torso. Over the next two months, more body parts surfaced. In 1888, dismembered remains of another woman were found at three different sites. Elizabeth Jackson’s torso was found in the Thames on June 4, 1889, with more parts discovered later. A final female torso was found in September 1889, suggesting a serial killer, but the cases remain unsolved.
Princess Alice Disaster
The sinking of the Princess Alice in 1878 is a largely forgotten tragedy. The ship, carrying over 700 Londoners returning from a seaside trip to Kent, was sliced in two by an oil collier. Eyewitnesses described panic as the ship sank, with screaming women and children. Passengers trapped below deck faced the worst fate. Sewage leaked into the water, adding to the horror.
Crew members threw lifebuoys and planks, but heavy Victorian clothing weighed passengers down. Survivors recounted pushing drowning people away to stay alive. Between 600 and 700 people died, and decaying bodies washed ashore for weeks. Only about 100 survived.
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