Thames River (Connecticut)
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The Thames River is a short river and tidal estuary in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It flows south for 15 mi. (25 km.) through eastern Connecticut from the junction of the Yantic and Shetucket Rivers at Norwich, to New London and Groton, which flank its mouth at the Long Island Sound.
Differing from its namesake, the River Thames in England, Connecticut's "Thames" is pronounced as it is written, to rhyme with "James," rather than as "temz" (as /θeɪmz/ rather than /tɛmz/), reflecting the pre-Hanoverian English pronuncation. (But see Thames-Origin of the name).
The river has provided important harbors since the mid-17th century when it was known as the Pequot River for the Pequot Indians who lived in the area. Other early names for the river have included Frisius, Great, Great River of Pequot, Little Fresh, Mohegan, New London, and Pequod.[1]
The United States Coast Guard Academy, Connecticut College, a U.S. Navy submarine base, and the Electric Boat submarine shipyard are located on the river.
Two historic forts, now Connecticut State Parks, overlook the mouth of the river which forms New London habor; Fort Griswold on the eastern Groton Heights, and Fort Trumbull on the New London side.
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[edit] Events
The Harvard-Yale Boat Race is held annually in New London.
[edit] Towns around Thames River
- New London, Connecticut
- Groton, Connecticut
- Ledyard, Connecticut
- Quaker Hill, Connecticut
- Montville, Connecticut
- Norwich, Connecticut
- Gales Ferry, Connecticut
[edit] Crossings
Being a short river, the Thames only has three crossings:
- Amtrak railroad bridge (New London and Groton)
- Gold Star Bridge carrying I-95 and Route 1 (New London and Groton)
- Mohegan-Pequot Bridge carrying Route 2A (Montville and Preston)
[edit] Notes
- ^ How New London, Connecticut, Got Its Name. The New London Gazette. The Oldham Publishing Service. Retrieved on October 22, 2006.
