The Waterguard and the Coastguard were linked at various times before 1923 when the Coastguard was moved to the Board of Trade. The new force was sanctioned by the Coastguard Act of 1925.

There are, dotted around the coast of the UK, rows of Coastguard Cottages once owned by the Crown and inhabited by the Boatmen and officers of the Coastguard - and perhaps by Boatmen and officers of the Waterguard. Some are neglected and in a state of disrepair, others are now modernised and inhabited as private dwellings.

The Headquarters of HM Customs was for many years the London Custom House, Lower Thames Street, London.

After World War II the Headquarters of HM Customs & Excise Headquarters was moved to City Gate House, Finsbury Square, London but in 1952 was relocated to King's Beam House, New Fetter Lane, London

 

The Waterguard was, at various times, accommodated in a variety of office accommodation. This included most Custom Houses at some time - whole or part of - Watch Houses, Port Offices, Office Blocks - with other C&E offices or with other Government Departments or even Commerce - and even afloat. In 1901 the Inspector General of Waterguard and his staff were housed at the London Custom House, Lower Thames Street, London, but moved to City Gate House, Finsbury Square, London when HM C&E HQ moved there after World War II. The move to King's Beam House, New Fetter Lane, London came with HM C&E HQ's move in 1952.

During the period covered by this website - 1809 to 1972 - there were buildings of many styles and types situated round the coast of the British Isles from which the Waterguard operated. Before 'partition' in 1923, what is now The Republic of Ireland came within the jurisdiction of the British Crown.

The details of some of these buildings, with images where available, are presented here geographically. The four 'countries' have their own pages to facilitate faster browsing and for ease of maintenance. They can be viewed in the normal way by selecting the appropriate 'button'.

WATERGUARD LOCKUPS

Most Waterguard offices had a secure inner room - not on an outside wall - that was used to temporarily store detained and seized goods before they were transferred to the Collection's Queen's Warehouse. These 'Waterguard Lockups' were built of brick or stone and secured by a mortice lock - a Chubb - plus a 'Crown Lock' and often had an inner room for high value goods and drugs secured by a second 'Crown Lock'.