of 17 Philpot Lane, London
1897 The company was registered on 3 April to take over the properties of the Victoria Steamboats. [1], practically taking over the fleet of the Victoria Association, to which it added three new boats, which were specially built by the Thames Ironworks Company to afford better accommodation for the river passenger service than had previously been the case.[2]
1900 Mr. A. F. Hills, chairman of the Thames Steamboat Company, had been in communication with the Rivers Committee on the subject of the Council granting a subsidy to the company to enable it to provide a better service of steamboats, the profits to be equally divided between the company and the County Council ; but the Committee stated in reply that such a course would not be expedient.[3]
1902 The company announced that their service would be discontinued; the London County Council immediately promoted a Bill in Parliament to empower them to run a service.
1902 A Bill was presented to Parliament and was passed to give effect to the Incorporation of Trustees for the Maintenance of a Service of Steamboats on the River Thames; provide a Constitution and Election of Trustees, and transfer to them the Undertaking and powers of the Thames Steamboat Company (1897) Limited, including the Piers on the River Thames ; also to provide for agreements with the Conservators of the River Thames and others as to the acquisition and transfer to the Trustees of other Piers on the River ; and to give Powers to the Trustees to improve and maintain Steamboat Service and Works, to Borrow Money on Mortgage, and to issue Debenture Bonds ; and to Guarantee of Interest by London County Council, Corporation of the City of London, and Conservators of the River Thames ; and make Provisions as to Mortgages, and Application of Funds and Revenues ; and to restrict or partially repeal Provisions of the Watermen's and Lightermen's (Amendment) Act, 1859, affecting the said Steamboat Company; Tolls, Fares and Charges; General Powers of Regulation and Management and Regulation of Piers and Landing Places and Boats and Vessels; Bye-laws and Penalties ; Incorporation and Repeal and Amendment of Acts, etc.[4]
The Bill was thrown out by Parliament.
Realising the relief it would give to road traffic congestion, the Council again applied for the necessary powers. These were obtained in 1904 and a service was started on 17th June, 1905. See London County Council Steamboat Service.