#lightermen

I found the signification of “take care of any one,” very different on shore from what it was on the river, where taking care of you means getting out of your way, and giving you a wide berth; and I found the shore-reading much more agreeable.

— Frederick Marryat, Jacob Faithful

The lighter, its equipments, and its destination, were the microcosm of my infant imagination; and my ideas and thoughts being directed to so few objects, these objects were deeply impressed, and their value fully understood. Up to the time that I quitted the lighter, at eleven years old, the banks of the river were the boundaries of my speculations.

— Frederick Marryat, Jacob Faithful

On our arrival off the Medway, I had just gone down to bed, and was undressing, when I heard Fleming come on deck and haul up the boat. I looked up the hatchway; it was very dark, but I could perceive Marables hand him the bag and handkerchief, with which he pulled on shore. He did not return until the next morning at daylight, when I met him as he came up the side. "Well, Jacob," said he, "you've caught me. I've been on shore to see my sweetheart; but you boys ought to know nothing about these things. Make the boat fast, there's a good lad."

— Frederick Marryat, Jacob Faithful

"This is the lad who is bound to the barge," said Marables. "Jacob, this is Fleming."

"So, younker," said Fleming, after casting an inquiring eye upon me, "you are to sail with us, are you? It's my opinion that your room would be better than your company. However, if you keep your eyes open, I'd advise you to keep your mouth shut. When I don't like people's company, I sometimes give them a hoist into the stream—so keep a sharp look out, my joker."

Not very well pleased with this address, I answered, "I thought Marables had charge of the craft, and that I was to look to him for orders."

"Did you, indeed!" replied Fleming, with a sneer. "I say, my lad, can you swim?"

"No, I can't," replied I—"I wish I could."

"Well, then, take my advice— learn to swim as fast as you can; for I've a strong notion that one day or other, I shall take you by the scruf of the neck, and send you to look after your father."

— Frederick Marryat, Jacob Faithful

By the regulations of the Watermen's Company, it is necessary that every one who wishes to ply on the river on his own account, should serve as an apprentice, from the age of fourteen to twenty-one; at all events, he must serve an apprenticeship for seven years, and be fourteen years old before he signs the articles. This apprenticeship may be served in any description of vessel which sails or works on the river, whether it be barge, lighter, fishing-smack, or a boat of larger dimensions; and it is not until that apprenticeship is served, that he can work on his own account, either in a wherry, or any other craft.

I found a much higher resolution picture of the print 'Entrance to the Regent's Canal, Limehouse' on the British Library's flickr page (see source link). The artist, Thomas H. Shepherd, was born in 1793, making him a close contemporary of Frederick Marryat. This engraving was published in 1830, but it looks like the perfect backdrop for Marryat's novel Jacob Faithful, set in the early 19th century boyhood of the title character. You can see both lighter barges and tall ships on the tidal stretches of the Thames.

It is the one human accomplishment that androids cannot ape in Star Trek (2009)and, according to the Apollo astronauts, cannot be performed on the moon. It profoundly irritated Winston Churchill to the extent that the practice was banned from the War Rooms but for Paul McCartney, hearing a postman whistle From Me To You (1963)was the moment that he knew that the Beatles had made it. Whistling,…