“Two old souls talk across a river.” These are the words that introduce Soul Searching in Creekmouth. This mural stands as a vibrant testament to Creekmouth’s history. It is located on a large wall beside River Road.
Soul Searching in Creekmouth is more than just art. It’s a portal to the past. Tamara Froud designed this artwork. It marks the history of this old community.
The mural’s most striking feature depicts the Bywell Castle colliding with the Princess Alice. This disaster happened on September 3, 1878. The Princess Alice was returning to London with day trippers. They had spent their day at Rosherville Pleasure Gardens and Sheerness.
Near Tripcock Point the Bywell Castle collided with her. The collier ship was four times bigger than the Princess Alice. It effectively cut her in two. Almost 900 people ended up in the River Thames. Around 650 of them drowned. It remains the worst inland water disaster in English history.
The horror compounded itself. 75 million imperial gallons of raw sewage had just been released into the Thames. This came from nearby pumping stations.
Soul Searching in Creekmouth captures the horror of that moment. The mural shows passengers on the steamer’s decks. They are there just before the vessel split. Many were condemned to a watery grave.
A closer look reveals statements from survivors. There are also statements from witnesses. Some tried to rescue victims from the water. One quote reads: “It was a sight I will never forget if I live for a hundred years.”
The mural also depicts the Crooked Billet pub. It also features the old Handley Page factory. Aircraft manufacturing began here in Creekmouth.
Before this disaster John Bennet Lawes built Creekmouth village in the 1850s. It housed workers from his chemical factory. The village had cottages a school and a mission church.
Cut off by marshland Creekmouth developed a unique community. Today former residents keep its memory alive. They ensure that Soul Searching in Creekmouth preserves history.
Despite its bleak industrial surroundings Soul Searching in Creekmouth is worth visiting. It stands as a special memorial to a tragic event. It reminds us of a grim chapter in London’s history. The mural ensures that the souls lost are not forgotten.