Watermen's Stairsとは 意味・読み方・使い方

Watermen's Stairs were semipermanent structures that formed part of a complex transport network of public stairs, causeways and alleys in use from the 14th century onwards to access the waters of the tidal River Thames in Great Britain. They were used by watermen, who taxied passengers across and along the river in London.
Stairs were used at high tide, and causeways were used at low tide, built down to the littoral water level from street level, their location was memorized during a waterman's apprenticeship. Stairs were recognized by custom and practice, as safe plying places to pick up and put down passengers and were a valuable aid to rescue should anyone be unfortunate enough to fall into the river, as they were often built adjacent to a public house.