Lightermen and Watermen
Many of the Goggin ancestors who lived in London were Watermen and Lightermen.
This is a trade that was often passed down the generations because, to
work on the river Thames, one had to be licensed which required a seven
year apprenticeship under a master.
A Waterman was someone licensed to navigate and pilot passenger vessels
on the River Thames and a Lighterman worked on barges, carrying goods or wares
up and down the river and from cargo ships to shore.
Charles Goggin, Lighterman
Charles James Goggin (born 1864) was taken on as an apprentice
Lighterman by his Grandfather, a Charles Billingsley (b. 1815) as was
his brother Thomas Goggin (b. 1866). Their father, Thomas Goggin
(b. 1839) was also a Lighterman but committed suicide by drowning
at St Katherine's Dock, Whitechapel when Charles was only 9
years old.
Charles' apprenticeship started on 9th April 1878 (it was
usual for apprentices to start
at the age of 14) at Stratford, under the master, his grandfather,
Charles Billingsley. Apprenticeships lasted for seven
years. The apprentice
certificate was cut into two parts, one for the master and one for
the apprentice.
On 9th June 1885, Charles James Goggin was admitted as a Freeman of "The Company of Watermen and Lightermen
of the River Thames".
Lightermen Certificates
The various certificates for Charles Goggin are shown below. Click
on the relevant thumbnail to view the full size image...
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Apprentice Lighterman binding certificate, dated 9th April 1878, Stratford. |
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Complete Lighterman apprentice binding certificate showing both parts |
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Admission as a freeman to the Company of Waterman and Lightermen (front) |
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Waterman admission (back) |
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Licence for Charles Goggin to operate as a Lighterman - to December 1982 |
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Signed licence for Charles Goggin to operate as a Waterman - to December 1982 |
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Licence for Charles Goggin to operate as a Waterman - December 1982 |
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