The family company can be traced back to 1710 when it was established by Richard Turk; although records of Turk built boats extend back to the 12th Century. The focus was primarily on building passenger wherries and fishing punts, but reputation soon spread and Turks expanded into making boats for English and foreign royalty and exporting pleasure craft – especially touring canoes and skiffs – all over the world, often winning prizes at international exhibitions. One project even involved building boats for the amusement of Queen Victoria on the Home Park waters.
The present day Turks was pioneered by Michael Turk who has been a Swan Master and Bargemaster to the Vintners’ Company and a Queen’s Waterman. He is also a Past Master of The Company of Waterman & Lightermen of the River Thames.
Michael took on the ambitious challenge of constructing the Grand Turk in 1997, a full size replica of an 18th Century British frigate. She sails complete with 12 cannons, three 100ft masts and 22 working sails. She is a magnificent sight, the first of her kind to be built in over 150 years and she featured in the ITV series ‘Hornblower’.
Michael’s son, Richard Daniel Turk now runs the company and is carrying on the tradition of Turks river businesses whilst expanding the company to meet modern demands.
After 300 years of boatbuilding and operating a spectacular fleet of passenger vessels, Turks stands proudly as one of Kingston’s few remaining family run businesses. With a core belief in high standards and detailed organisation, our busy fleet carries thousands of passengers each year and are the proud hosts of hundreds of private events afloat the River Thames.
In recent years the company extended down to Chatham in Kent with the launch of Turks Shipyard Ltd with a focus on slipway operation and marine repairs.