Special Interest Items of the Library

Dickens's Dictionary of the ThamesThe Cruising Association Library is home to many unusual items among the books and charts. This page will highlight some of the slightly unexpected yet special items within the collection.  

Did you know for example, that a Charles Dickens wrote a Dictionary of the Thames? Though not the Charles Dickens, it caused a stir in the information centre when we first happened upon it! It is an early precursor to the Thames recreational users guide produced by the Port of London Authority and would have been a useful resource in its day. Read on for more information on this interesting item:

Dickens's Dictionary of The Thames

Published in 1889, the book covers the area from the source of the Thames to the Nore. The book is desribed it its frontispiece as 'an unconventional handbook' and was aimed at 'oarsmen, anglers, yachtsmen and others directly interested in the river to serve as a guide to the numerous strangers who annually visit the principal places on its banks.'

 

The Dictionary is full of a wide range of information from lengthy entries on Trinity House and Oxford University to brief descriptions on various buoys along the length of the river. Not to mention entries for many yacht clubs and rowing clubs along the banks of the river. Dickens even includes details of their subscriptions at the time and descriptions of the club burgees and officers.

 

The entry on Salmon is dedicated to reasons behind the reasons for its demise in the river with the general concensus being pollution though a Salmon of considerable size had been recorded in 1821. The dictionary also includes advice on bathing in the Thames and describes in some detail the possible dangers and necessary cautions.

 A full description of the river trip from Oxford to London is also interesting. 'Previously unknown except to ardent devotees of aquatics.' Accompanied by some great maps, the journey would make for interesting retracing, though these days it would set you back considerably more than £3 to hire a boat.