Note 179 — AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF PHINEAS PETT

MS. 'Deepforde Stronde.' The etymology of this well-known name does not appear to have been satisfactorily determined. Antiquaries have been content to explain it as the 'Strand' or shore of the deep ford over the Ravensbourne River, which enters the Thames at Deptford Creek. As a matter of fact, Deptford Strond lay on the shore of the Thames some distance to the west of the Ravensbourne. It seems more probable that Deptford Town, at the head of the creek near the bridge by which the Dover Road crosses, was the original settlement, and took its name from the deep creek (fiord), which was navigable for ships of 500 tons up to that bridge, and that Deptford Stronde was settled later from the 'Town' and took the addition 'Stronde' in contradistinction. The dockyard was on the site now occupied by the Foreign Cattle Market.