The Great Thames Barrage

"The Great Thames Barrage" by Thomas Walter Barber is a scientific proposal from the early 1900s suggesting a massive barrier built across the River Thames to drastically improve conditions for ships. The publication highlights problems vessels faced navigating the river’s changing tides, insufficient depth, and overall dangers. Barber puts forward a comprehensive engineering plan that would transform the Thames into a safer, more efficient waterway by maintaining a constant water level, cutting operational costs, and providing easier navigation for ships. Barber reviews the potential benefits of this dock-like project, also touching on construction, the financial considerations, and the predicted positive effects on clean water and health for Londoners, making the case for this game-changing approach to the river's maritime transport.