Shadwell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shadwell is an inner-city district situated within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets located on the north bank of the Thames between Wapping to the west and Limehouse to the east. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Charing Cross and forms part of the East End of London.
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[edit] History
Virtually uninhabited until the 17th century, Shadwell was originally a marine-centred hamlet with roperies, tan yards, breweries, wharves, smiths and numerous taverns, which built up around the chapel of St Paul's. Seventy-five sea captains are buried in its churchyard, while Captain James Cook had his son baptised there. The name supposedly derives from an unpleasant (Shad, literally 'shite') local well. (The name of Shad Thames on the south bank is likely unrelated.)
The area is dominated by the enclosed former dock, Shadwell Basin. This once formed the eastern entrance to the then London docks, with a channel leading west to St Katharine Docks. It is actually two dock basins - the south basin was constructed in 1828-32 and the north basin in 1854-8. Unlike nearby Limehouse Basin, few craft larger than canoes can be seen on Shadwell Basin, which is largely used for fishing and watersports - and as a scenic backdrop to the recent residential developments that line it.
The basin, however, is still connected to the Thames and the channel is spanned by an impressive bascule bridge that is rarely raised these days.
[edit] Parish church
St. Paul's Shadwell with St. James Ratcliffe, is traditionally known as the Church of Sea Captains. In 1656 the church was established as a Chapel of Ease, from St Dunstan's, at Stepney. In 1669, it was rebuilt as the Parish Church of Shadwell, and it was the last of five parish churches rebuilt after the Restoration. In 1820, it was again rebuilt as a 'Waterloo church'.
Captain James Cook was an active parishioner and John Wesley preached in the church from time to time. Isham Randolph, one of Thomas Jefferson's grandfathers and son of William Randolph, was married in St. Paul's church. Jefferson's boyhood home was named Shadwell after the parish.
[edit] Notable current and former residents of Shadwell
- Bob Crow (born 13 June 1961) - trade union leader
- Walter Pater (4 August 1839 - 30 July 1894) - essayist and critic
[edit] Education
- For details of education in Shadwell see the List of schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
[edit] Transport and locale
[edit] Nearest places
[edit] Nearest tube stations
[edit] External links
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