Black Boy Island

Black Boy Island is an island in the River Thames in England between the villages of Medmenham, Buckinghamshire and Hurley, Berkshire. It is situated on the reach above Hurley Lock.

The island is said to be named after Charles II who was so dark as a child that his mother called him "Black Boy".[1] Black Boy Island and the adjacent Frog Mill Ait presented a problem to navigation because the towpath was on the other side of the island from the main navigation channel. Hence tow lines had to sweep over the islands, often with the result that barges were pulled onto the shore.[2]

The name "Poisson Deux" is associated with the area, and this is believed to derive from fish ducts or traps in the river here.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Paul Goldsack River Thames: In the Footsteps of the Famous English Heritage?Bradt 2003
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles
Next island upstream River Thames Next island downstream
Magpie Island Black Boy Island Frog Mill Ait

Coordinates: 51°32′42″N 0°50′00″W / 51.5450°N 0.8333°W


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