In the 1920s, the original paddle steamers were replaced by newer vessels of the same type. These were the Squires (1922), Gordon (1923), and the John Benn and Will Crooks, both built in 1930. They were all named after major figures on the London County Council.
John Benn (1850-1922) served on the LCC from 1889 until his death. He had also been Member of Parliament for Wapping (1892-95) and Devonport (1904-10).
As Chairman of the LCC Highways Committee, he oversaw the introduction of electric trams to London. His son, William Wedgwood Benn (1877-1960) and grandson Tony Benn (born 1925) were both famous Labour politiicans.
The Will Crooks followed in 1930. She was named after the great strike leader and politician. Born in Poplar, Crooks (1852-1921) had worked as a labourer in the East India Docks, and became one of the leaders of the 1889 Dock Strike. He served on the LCC and later became Member of Parliament for Woolwich.
At first, the ferries carried passengers, horse-drawn vehicles and only light motor traffic. Eventually, the growing volume of cars caused increasing problems for the paddle steamers.
The John Benn (1930) in 1962. © NMM
