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The Thames at Teddington Lock
Photo: Andrew Fosker / Shutterstock
Ice on the Thames!
For the British, this is remarkable news and an occasion for extensive historical considerations.
Because to see something like this, you have to look far back in history - or stand on the shores of Teddington in south-west London these days.
Parts of the river froze this week in sub-zero temperatures.
A delicate ice rink formed near the Teddington Lock ship lock, but it was only sustainable for the local flock of birds.
The British Guardian was already reminded of the Great Freeze of 1963, the coldest winter in more than 200 years.
"Surreal scenes" had taken place, skaters and even a cyclist could be seen on the Thames.
It was the last time the Thames completely froze over.
This week the temperatures in London dropped to -2 ° C;
while Great Britain experienced the coldest February night in 25 years: -23 ° C was measured at the Braemar weather station in Scotland.
Given the mostly mild temperatures in the London area and the high flow speed of the Thames, it is hardly possible to freeze them.
Peter Finch, chairman of the River Thames Society, explained the phenomenon to the Guardian with the current pandemic.
The number of boats passing through is so small that the lock gates are opened less often.
The river above the lock could freeze.
Until the 19th century, the frozen Thames was even an occasional venue where Londoners went to dance, bowling and drink.
Frost fairs were held on the river, gingerbread vendors put their stalls on the ice and there were oxen on skewers.
The ice was several feet thick and carried rides, thousands of people, and even elephants to walk over.
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During the so-called Little Ice Age in Great Britain from the 14th to the early 19th centuries, the Thames froze at least 23 times.
On five of these occasions there were these "Frost Fairs", according to the BBC a mixture of Christmas market, circus and lively party.
This was last the case in 1814.
Structural changes in the late 19th century narrowed the Thames and made it flow faster.
The new London Bridge, completed in 1831, had fewer arches, allowing more sea water up the river.
More salty water also means a lower freezing point.
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