Contrary to what some writers have written for example, the Waratah slipped her lines at Tilbury and left the dock in a fanfare of streamers and good byes from relative and friends, this in actual fact is far from the truth, mainly, because of poor research by authors in a hurry and greedy to make a fast dollar from the unfortunate Waratah . In actual fact most passenger ships lay at anchor or secured to a mooring buoy midstream in the River Thames half way between Gravesend and Tilbury prior to taking their departure. A special train left Fenchurch Railway Station daily at 9.13 am for Tilbury station with the journey taking about 48 minutes, from the latter station the passengers had to walk down to the Tilbury landing stage and from there, they and their baggage along with friends and loved ones to see them off were then transported out to the ship by the local ferry boats that normally operated between Gravesend and Tilbury. Three main boats operated the service out to ships mid-stream, these being the Gertude, Cathrine, and the Cedric. Class distinction prevailed with separate boats for saloon or first class passengers and that of the steerage or third class passengers.
Fenchurch Railway Station.
Tilbury Railway Station and attending staff.
Tilbury Landing stage, note passenger ship anchored mid- stream facing down stream.
Wealthy saloon passengers arrived at Tilbury from London via taxi with their luggage carried beside the driver and the roof rack. (London Taxi Circa 1907)
Yellow circle, Tilbury Landing, red line regular ferry route, red circle Gravesend landing, blue arrow indicates where the Waratah would have anchored facing down stream ready to head out to sea. Many passengers joining other ships of a different lines arrived at the Gravesend landing stage by rail and were ferried out to the mid- stream anchorages. If there was more than one ship laying mid- stream from different companies waiting for passengers, the ferry boat servicing a particular ship say for example the Waratah, then that particular ferry would fly the Blue Anchor Line flag to let passengers know waiting at the landing stage that this was their transport for the Waratah.
Waratah attached to a mooring buoy embarking passengers from the ferry Catherine.
Once aboard the Waratah the decks were bustling with passengers busy looking for directions and their luggage. Hawkers were busy trying to sell postcards and have telegram forms filled out hoping impulsive passengers might send a last farewell to their loved ones ashore. After a time bells would start ringing around the decks warning friends and visitors it was time to leave the ship and board the tenders, once it was established all non passengers had left the ship and the pilot ready on the bridge the Waratah got underway.
