Artistic Programme

Our Artistic Programme

Cultural, active and community events in healthy river environments. Accessible by all, enjoyed by all.

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Reflections Sing for Water Thames Lens Tide Changers Totally Thames Other artistic projects...

Education Programme

Our Education Programme

Inspiring the next generation of river ambassadors. Our creative education programme helps children and young people to connect and learn about rivers, creating work inspired by its culture, community and ecology.

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Kids' Choir River of Hope Rivers of the World The Story of Water Other education projects...

Heritage Programme

Our Heritage Programme

Unearthing and reconnecting local communities to the river's rich history and cultural importance.

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A Voyage Through Time Foragers of the Foreshore London's Lost Village Places of Change The Islanders Other heritage projects...

About Our Charity

What makes us tick and the people who make it happen.

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Our History Our Team Our Vision Join our Team

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Eel Pie Island

Eel Pie Island Slipways & Eel Pie Boatyard

The history of boat building on Eel Pie Island goes back to 1891, when William Sargeant established The Thames Electric & Steam Launch Company. In 1945 the company Thames Launches bought the site, later diversified into small shipbuilding in 1956, as Thames Launch Works, and gaining international recognition for their exports of tugboats, and vehicle/cargo carrying landing-craft.

In the 1970s Thames Launch Works was in decline, caused by foreign competition, and in 1979 it was declared insolvent. Eventually the yard was split in two, known as Eel Pie Marine Centre and Eel Pie Island Slipways. Eel Pie Island Slipways was established when employees, Ted Leppard and Len Bowman, negotiated a ‘workers buyout’ of the main slipways with a guarantee of regular work maintaining Thames Cruises passenger boats. The remainder of the yard was bought by Henry Gastall who established the Marine Centre as a DIY boatyard providing facilities for boatbuilding, restoration and repair projects, as well as workshops for artists and craft-workers.

In the 1990s tragedy hit Eel Pie Island. An accident at the Slipways in 1995 resulted in the death of Keith Bowman, Len’s son. Len left the business soon after, with Ken Dwan buying out his share. Ken, who began his career as a waterman and Olympic rower, eventually took over the yard completely, and remains the owner today.

In 1996 a devastating fire destroyed much of the Marine Centre, along with many of the traditional boats that were being repaired there. The eastern part of that yard was purchased by Mark and Helen Montgomery Smith with another couple, who continued the DIY yard as Eel Pie Island Boatyard, which continues to thrive as an affordable space for artists and boat enthusiasts today.

Len Bowman, Boat builder & Owner of Eel Pie Island Slipways | Photo: Ken Dwan

Impala Marine | Photo: Ken Dwan

The King, Eel Pie Island | Photo: Ken Dwan

Len Bowman & team working | Photo: Ken Dwan

Eel Pie Island Slipways | Photo: Ken Dwan

Lamanco Penguin Tug | Photo: Ken Dwan

Kingwood & Viscount, Thames Launches Steamers | Photo: Ken Dwan

Eel Pie Island Slipways team | Photo: Ken Dwan

Len & Ted working | Photo: Ken Dwan

Thames Launches Transporter on the Slipway | Photo: Ken Dwan & Eel Pie Island Museum

Eel Pie Marine after fire in 1996 | Photo: Mark & Helen Montgomery Smith

Eel Pie Marine after fire in 1996 | Photo: Mark & Helen Montgomery Smith

Len Bowman, Boat builder & Owner of Eel Pie Island Slipways | Photo: Ken Dwan

Impala Marine | Photo: Ken Dwan

The King, Eel Pie Island | Photo: Ken Dwan

Len Bowman & team working | Photo: Ken Dwan

Eel Pie Island Slipways | Photo: Ken Dwan

Lamanco Penguin Tug | Photo: Ken Dwan

Kingwood & Viscount, Thames Launches Steamers | Photo: Ken Dwan

Eel Pie Island Slipways team | Photo: Ken Dwan

Len & Ted working | Photo: Ken Dwan

Thames Launches Transporter on the Slipway | Photo: Ken Dwan & Eel Pie Island Museum

Eel Pie Marine after fire in 1996 | Photo: Mark & Helen Montgomery Smith

Eel Pie Marine after fire in 1996 | Photo: Mark & Helen Montgomery Smith

Busy commuters walking past Henry Reichhold's One Hour installation 2019

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Check out all our videos, images, podcasts, interviews, workshops and much more.

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Supported by:

Jeffrey Wood at Trinity Buoy Wharf | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Blackwall

London Graving Dock Company

MSO Marine boatyard in Brentford | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Brentford

E.C. Jones & MSO Marine

Greenwich Boatyard

Greenwich

Thamescraft Dry Docking Services, Greenwich Yacht Club & Cory Riverside Energy

B.J. Wood & Son | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Isleworth

B.J. Wood & Son Boatyard

Lots Ait | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Lots Ait

Thames & General Lighterage and John’s Boat Works

Richmond Bridge Boathouses workshop

Richmond

Richmond Bridge Boathouses & William Colley Racing Boats

The Apprentice, South Dock Marina | Photo: Hydar Dewachi

Rotherhithe

South Dock Marina

Two boats in a dockyard

Swan Island

Newman’s Shipyard

Archive photograph of the moorings at Tough's boatyard in Teddington in the 1980s

Teddington

Tough's Boatyard

Wapping Police Officer painting a boat

Wapping

Metropolitan Police Marine Workshop