Victoria Embankment

The Victoria Embankment, stretching from Waterloo Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge, is a testament to the remarkable vision of Sir Joseph Bazalgette. Renowned for his work on London’s sewers following the “Great Stink” of 1858, Bazalgette also masterminded the creation of this iconic embankment. The project unfolded in three phases: the Albert Embankment (1868), the Chelsea Embankment (1874), and the Victoria Embankment (1879).

An imposing square-headed arch above Temple Stairs, part of Bazalgette’s Victoria Embankment design, features an inscription celebrating the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Erected in 1935, it commemorates the naming of this river section as ‘King’s Reach’ with the following inscription:

“In Commemoration of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Accession of His Majesty King George V, This Reach of the river between London Bridge and Westminster Bridge was, with His Majesty’s Gracious permission, named by The Port of London Authority ‘King’s Reach’. Chairman: The Right Honourable Lord Ritchie of Dundee May 1935.”

The King’s Reach showcases a variety of vessels captured in my photographs from 2022 to 2024. Starting at the Tower RNLI Station near Waterloo Bridge, the images progress through CPBS Marine Services, Capital Pleasure Boats, the yacht St. Katherine, and SB Wilfred, and conclude with the Tideway ‘super sewer’ site by Blackfriars Bridge.

The Tower RNLI Station, a vital part of the central London Thames since 2002, has saved nearly 400 lives. The lifeboats Hurley Burley and Hearn Medicine Chest operate from here. Nearby, CPBS Marine Services’ fleet, including the multicats Hound Dog and Sea Dog, plays a crucial role in river operations, such as towage and dredging. The historic SB Wilfred sank during Storm Henk in January 2024 and was scrapped following a brief refloating.

Capital Pleasure Boats’ impressive fleet—Golden Flame, Golden Jubilee, Golden Star, and Golden Sunrise—can be seen at their Temple Pier mooring. They have been a fixture on the Thames party scene since 2002. The St. Katharine, a former Port of London Authority vessel, is undergoing renovation at Temple Pier after serving as a floating restaurant since 1971.

The former HMS Wellington, now HQS Wellington, is a notable sight at Victoria Embankment. Built in 1934 and decorated with the Battle Honour “Atlantic 1939-1945,” it now serves as the floating Livery Hall for the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. The Wellington Trust maintains this maritime heritage site, offering educational programs and event hosting.

Nearby, the disused City Police call boxes, once vital for emergencies, now stand as historical curiosities. The National Submariners’ War Memorial and the memorial to journalist W.T. Stead, who perished on the RMS Titanic, are significant tributes along the embankment.