Flood Tide

This is a simple story of the "River Folk" - unconventional, perhaps, for their is no "villain" of the piece while the star part is played by "Father Thames" himself - that old gentleman of so many moods, dark and threatening one moment, and radiating sunshine the next.

Ben Salter (Wilson Coleman) winds the gate paddle gear as a flotilla approaches his lock on the River Thames. Simon Brown advises that this as Shepperton Lock in Middlesex.

The lock fills up to capacity with a variety of vessels. Simon Brown identifies the view from Shepperton Lock with Eyot House on D'Oyly Carte Island in the right distance.

Through the bare trees, Eyot House is visible on D'Oyly Carte Island in Richard Marum's comparison shot.

Ben opens the gates at the other end of the lock. Shepperton Lock, in Middlesex until 1974, found by Simon Brown and confirmed by Phil Evans.

Skiffs, rowing boats and a pleasure craft leave the lock. Shepperton Lock recognised by Simon Brown with the building now named Lock House in the right background.

A closer view of the lock's bottom gates and Lock House by Andy Waller.

Ben walks back to his cottage for tea, over which he and his wife Sarah talk about his upcoming retirement. Shepperton Lock identified by Simon Brown.

Miles away in the Thames Estuary, Captain Bill Bucket (George Carney) and Titch (Edgar Driver) come ashore from their sailing barge. The quay opposite the Crooked Billet Inn on High Street in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex with Leigh Creek in the background.

Jon Wennington admits that this comparison isn't that exciting.

The Bargee and his Mate enter the Crooked Billet where Bill learns that the Landlord is wanting to sell up. Facing the Crooked Billet Inn on High Street, Leigh-on-Sea.

The inn now by Jon Wennington.

With their tug Seaby, Captain Joe Addock and Scotty haul Bill Bucket, his daughter Betty and Titch up river to visit their friends Ben and Sarah. The River Thames at Shepperton with D'Oyly Carte Island to the right, found with assistance from Simon Brown.

On leave from the Navy, Ted Salter (Leslie Hatton) walks with his father to meet Bill. Simon Brown locates this as facing east from Shepperton Lock with D'Oyly Carte Island in the right background.

Andy Waller captured the view with D'Oyly Carte Island in the background.

When Ben and Sarah decide to take the Crooked Billet, Bill, Titch and their pals Captain Addock (Wilfred Benson) and Scotty (Mark Daly) agree to move the couple and their chattels down river to Leigh-on-Sea. Shepperton Lock in Middlesex, discovered by Simon Brown and confirmed by Phil Evans and Guy Burden.

Richard Marum found that there's a much tidier river bank now.

Seaby steams away from the lock with Bill's barge in tow. Shepperton Lock on the Thames at Shepperton with the property now called Lock House on the since named Lock Island to the left.

Nick Boorman captured the same house from across the water.

The journey down river passes Hampton Court Palace. The Palace stands on Hampton Court Way in Hampton. Middlesex.

Bill Bucket makes Sarah laugh when he tells her that he'd have give anything to see Henry VIII chasing his wives in and out the maze. Hampton Court Palace beside the River Thames in Hampton.

The leisurely pace of the two boats helps the Salters to nod off. Approaching Richmond Bridge crossing the Thames from St. Margaret's in Middlesex to Richmond in Surrey.

John Harwood didn't even get his feet wet for this one... Love that drone and its accuracy here. (SJ)

Leaning on the gear at the front of the barge, Titch admires the passing scenery. Approaching Battersea Bridge with Albert Bridge in the distance.

The two craft near the Palace of Westminster in SW1.

The view over 80 years later. SJ

Bill wakes Sarah Salter (Minnie Rayner) and her husband Ben to point out "The biggest gasworks in England" as they pass the Houses of Parliament.

Dismantling the 118 year old structure, Workmen labour away on Waterloo Bridge as Bill, Sarah and Ben tuck into their lunch.

Ben is told off by Sarah for swearing when he asks Bill which is the Bloody Tower. Facing the Tower of London in EC3 with Tower Pier to the left.

Not quite the correct angle but taken from the river. SJ

Tower Bridge begins to open as the friends approach. Looking downstream towards Tower Bridge crossing the Thames from EC3 to SE1.

It refused to open for me. SJ

Reaching Greenwich, Captain Addock casts off from the barge before Bill and Titch hoist the red sails. In the background stands the Royal Naval College . . . however, the film appears to have been inverted and the voyage has changed direction.

Arriving at their new home in Leigh, the Salters raise a toast to the river with Bill. Looking towards the Crooked Billet on High Street in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Jon Wennington's view shows changes in the foreground at the location.

When he learns that the girl he's sweet on, barmaid Mabel Pringle, is about to get married to Herbert Jackson, Ted Salter takes a train to visit her whilst on short leave.

Realising that he's been made a fool of by Mabel, Ted makes his way to see Betty.

On the day of the Bargee's Regatta, having set off from Lower Hope, Bill's barge rounds the Mouse lightship.