The above picture courtesy of nelsch.org.uk.
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Sailing ships were naturally the original vessel that navigated the tidal rivers of the Humber. Because of the nature of these rivers which has shallows, sand or mud banks, flat bottom vessels enabled them to remain upright even if grounded. The 'Humber Keel' was the most common type of vessel plying the larger rivers using a large square sail for propulsion. On the smaller rivers and later the canals propulsion started with man power then horse drawn until steam power came along, but the same low draught keel without the sail or with a mast which could be lowered was used so as to navigate the river with bridges.
Fly-Boats were introduced to provide a fast delivery of goods especially between Leeds / Wakefield and Selby with the increase demand for wool and coal.
Hull, Beverley and Goole Shipbuilding 1896.
‘This year Humber shipbuilders have launched 20 sailing vessels of 3,478 tons and 65 steamers of 4,250 tons a total of 27,734 tons. Earle’s Company has a moderate amount of work on order, and Messrs. Cook, Welton and Gemmell, and Messrs. Cochrane and Cooper have fair order lists. Shipbuilding at Grimsby is a dead letter. At Goole Messrs T. Scott and Co., engineers and shipbuilders, Barge Dockside, have been pretty busy; but the bulk of their work has been that of repairs to steamers. Among the contracts which this firm have executed are repairs to the steamers 'Achilies', 'Richard Moxon', and 'Ross', all of which have been carried out in the dry dock. Then Messrs. Scott and Co. have constructed for the Aire and Calder Navigation Company, a steel dredger, 68ft 6in. long, with a 17 feet beam, and 8ft deep, and also two steel tugs, each 90 feet long, with a 14ft 6in. beam and 8ft 3in. deep, the latter being for towing and carrying purposes combined. It is quite possible, in the near future, that there will be a remarkable development in the firm’s trade; for we believe that they are endeavouring to establish a steam trawler shipbuilding trade in the port. A look round the yard convinces one that there is every facility for this trade, both as regards yard space, machinery, and launching accommodation in the Dutch River. Messrs. Cottingham Brothers, of James Street, have had an average year, though the greater part of their work has also been repairing. They have, however, turned out two new keels during the year – one to the order of Messrs. W. Rainforth and Sons, of Lincoln, for the Hull and Lincoln trade, the registered tonnage being 110, and the other to the order of Captain Sheard, of Leeds, for the Hull and Leeds trade, with a registered tonnage of 130. The other local firms have been fairly busy and speaking generally, the trade has been an improvement on the previos twelve months. The lack of adequate dry dock accommodation is, however, still the cause of a large amount of work being taken out of the port.’
Hull.
The medieval greatness of Hull had been built out the export of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire wool. During the 14th and 15th centuries the export of wool was largely replaced by the export of English woollen made goods mainly to the Baltic area. The trade decreased in the 1400's by pressure from German Hanse (The German Hanse was the most successful and most far-flung trade association that existed in medieval and early-modern Europe) but switched trade to the Low Countries. Ships took wool to Calais bringing back wine from the Bordeaux region. In the 1520's imports to Hull were flax, pitch and tar from the Baltic and coal from Scotland. In the 1540's cloth was exported to Antwerp bringing back goods from Asia and Europe. From 1560’s onwards trade of West Riding cloth from the port of Hull to the Baltic showed a continued growth due in part to the Tsar Ivan the Terrible’s extended empire taking over the Baltic region. For the next century exports of Yorkshire Wool and sailcloth and imports of flax and corn continued to flourish to and from the Baltic.
“Steamers – To Aberdeen in 27 hrs; to Amsterdam (Wednesdays); to Antwerp (Wed. and Sat.); to Bremen (Sat.); to Christiansand and Christiania; to Copenhagen; to Dundee; to Dunkirk (Wed. and Sat.); to Edinburgh (Fri.); to Gottenburg (Sat.); to Havre (Tues.); to Hamburgh (Tues, Thurs. Sat.); to London (Tues. Fri. Sat.); to Lynn; to Newcastle; to Rotterdam; to Stettin; to St. Petersburg (weekly); to Yarmouth. There are also steamers to Gainsborough, in 3 ½ hrs.; to Goole, in 2 hrs.; to Grimsby, in 1 ½ hr.; and to York, in 6 ½ hrs. The starting-places and times of sailing of all these steamers are duly advertised, and may generally be found in Bradshaw. There are ferries over the Humber 4 times a day to Barton, and 6 or 7 times to New Holland and back.” – 1867 Handbook
In 1894 F.H. Pearson wrote "In 1787 experiments were made by two Hull men, Furnace and Ashton, on the river Hull, in the propulsion of vessels by steam power. they built a boat propelled by steam, which plyed between Hull and Beverley for some time and answered very well. In consequence of the good results of this experiment, they built a larger vessel, and sent her to London, where she was finished and subjected to various trials, and there, proving satisfactory, the craft was purchased by the Prince Regent, and fitted up as a pleasure yatch; shortly afterwards, however, the vessel was destroyed by fire. It will thus be seen that these two vessels were among the earliest steamships. In October,1814, the first steamboat was placed on the Humber. This being the 'Caledonia'. The following notice appeared in the local newspapers on October 15th 1814: "The steamboat 'Caledonia' lately arrived here and has, during the week been exhibiting her capabilities on the Humber; it appears that, with both wind and tide against her, her speed is considerable. On Wednesday she left for Gainsboro', and, the weather being favourable, reached Burton Stather in an hour and a half, travelling at the rate of 14 miles an hour. On the 14th May 1815, the following further notice appeared: The 'Caledonia' steampacket, last Thursday, went from Hull up the river Ouse to Naburn, about four miles from York, and returned to Hull the same day, steaming the 122 miles there and back in about 12 hours. The 'Caledonia' was followed by other steam vessels on the river, plying to Gainsbro, Thorne, Selby, York, and Grimsby, viz: 'Humber', 'John Bull', 'British Queen', 'Mercury', 'Dart', 'Rockingham', 'Albion', 'Favourite', 'Leeds', and 'Waterloo'. Several of these vessels were built at Thorne or Selby and owned by men belonging those towns."
PS Humber
Advertisement in the Doncaster Gazzette 11 August 1815 - fitted up in a most elegant and superb manner for the convenience of both Ladies and Gentleman and is under the management of Captain William Paddley, who is a sober, steady and well experienced Man in the said Navigation and by whom every Care and Attention will be paid to his passengers
P.S. Humber by kind permission of J.Smith
In 1818 Pigot's Trade Directory listed Humber and Waterloo Steam Packets, daily from London Tavern, Queen Street, to Selby where the Blucher Coach waits its arrival, and conveys passengers to Leeds, Wakefield, and every part of the kingdom. The Albion Steam Packet, from London Tavern, Queen Street, to Gainsborough every other day, viz Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. The Caledonian Steam Packet, from the London Tavern, Queen Street to Grimsby daily. The British Queen, from General Elliott Tavern, 87 High Street, to Gainsborough every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and returns every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The John Bull Steam Packet, from the Humber Tavern, Humber Street, to Thorn, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, where the John Bull Coach waits its arrival, and conveys passengers to the Black Swan Inn, Doncaster, the same day. The Waterloo Steam Packet, from the Crown Inn, Wincolmlee, to Driffield, every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Trading vessels - 'Yorkshire', Captain R. Massam, 'Huddersfield', Captain J. Robertson, 'Kitty', Captain A. Hemingway, 'Planter', Captain George Banks, 'Rochdale', Captain William Forman, 'Nottingham', Captain Thomas Maw, 'John', Captain William Groves, 'Ann', Captain E. Popplewell.
In 1826 twenty-four steamers from Hull plied along the coast during the summer months, London being the greatest distance to which they ran. About the year 1835 the number had increased to something like forty-four being in the Hamburg trade, one to Rotterdam, three to London, and the remainder principally coastwise. There are now above seventy steam boats trading to and from Hull, their collective cargo being about 15,000 tons with 7,230 horse power.
In 1829 Pigot's Trade Directory listed Sailing Packets leaving Hull for Barrow, Barton, Brigg, Garthorpe, Goxhill, Grimsby, Howden, Paul, Skitter, Stallingborough, Swinefleet, Weighton, Whitton, Wintringham and Whitgift. Steam Packets left for London, Barton, Brigg, Gainsborough, Goole, Grimsby, Lynn, Selby, Thorne, and Yarmouth.
In 1834 the railway line between Leeds and Selby opened to passengers but if you wanted to travel onward to Goole or Hull then you had to catch the paddle-steamers known as Steam Packets.
In 1835 a traveller from London wrote this about his journey
"Travellers in England, at the present day, have no reason to complain of high charges. The Gazelle steamer, in which vessel I left London, completed her voyage to Hull, in the teeth of a stiff breeze from the north-west, within thirty-six hours; the first cabin fare was ten shillings; the steward kind and attentive, the berths good, and provisions of the best description. It must be confessed that those of the after-cabin paid somewhat dear for the privilege of exclusiveness, for the wind swept along the raised quarter-deck with unrestrained force, the vessel being provided with painted green netting instead of bulwarks; nor was there any other protection than this frail substitute against the weather."
'The Annals' reported "By a return made to the house of commons it appears that in the year ending 5th January 1835 the number of vessels that entered inwards in the port of Hull was 1520, and the tonnage of the same 228,844; of these ships eight hundred and ninety-four belonged to the United Kingdom, sixteen to Russia, thirty-one to Sweden, forty-five to Norway, two hundred and seven to Denmark, sixty-four to Prussia, one hundred and fifty-six to Germany, seventy-two to Holland, twenty-one to Belgium, four to France, one to Spain, six to the Italian States and three to the United States of America."
1844 - 'The Annals' stated - "The number of steam-boat passengers from London to Hull amounts to 36,000 annually."
Hull Packet Boats 1833.
Sailings of Steam Packets. December 1837.
The New Holland Steam Packet leaves Hull every day at seven o'clock, at half past eleven o'clock (with London Mail) and four o'clock; leaves New Holland daily at nine o'clock, two o'clock (with Mail) and half past six o'clock. On Tuesday and Fridays there is an extra trip from New Holland at twelve o'clock and from Hull at a quarter before one o'clock.
The New Holland Horse Boat sails from Hull, two hours before High Water and returns from New Holland at High Water, every day in the week.
The Barton Steam Packet leave Hull at seven, half past twelve and four, and Barton for Hull, at nine, half past two, and half past six. The Barton and Hessle Packet makes a trip every day at high water. On cattle market days a Packet leaves Hull at a quarter past ten and Barton at eleven o'clock.
The Barton Ferry Boat sails two hours and a half before high water, when the wind is contrary, half an hour earlier, and returns from Barton to Hull at high water.
The York Steam Packets leave Hull every day for York and Selby, to suit tide, Sundays excepted.
The Steam Packets for Gainsborough, Thorne, Goole and Selby sail each day from Hull, three hours before high water or later, according to circumstances. Passengers should make previous enquiry at the respective offices as to the exact time of sailing.
The Yarmouth Packet leaves Hull every Friday and returns from Yarmouth every Wednesday.
The Steam Packets for London leave Hull on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The Leith Steam Packets leave Hull for Leith every Wednesday and Sunday, and Leith every Wednesday and Saturday.
The Dundee Steamer leaves Hull every Wednesday afternoon, and Dundee every Saturday afternoon.
The Steam Ships for Hamburgh leave Hull every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon, after four o'clock and leave Hamburgh on the same days.
The Rotterdam Packet sails every Wednesday afternoon and returns every Saturday.
Hull Docks.
Old Dock.
The Old Dock commenced in 1774 and the whole of the commerce of this port as far as wharfs and quays were concerned, was confined to that part of the river Hull still known by the name of the Old Harbour and ships actually received and discharged their cargoes, to a very considerable extent, while lying in the roads, by means of lighters and other small craft. In 1774 at last it was successfully passed for the dock and the establishment of the Hull dock Company. The first stone which was laid by Joseph Outram Esq. Mayor on 19th October 1775 and the dock was completed in 1778 and the first vessel that sailed in was the 'Manchester' employed in the Greenland trade, followed by the 'Old Favourite'.
Humber Dock.
The trade of the port continuing to increase to a very considerable extent, and the Old Dock, capacious and convenient as it was in every respect, not being found sufficient to meet the rapidly extending commerce, the formation of another dock naturally suggested itself. The number of shares of the Old Dock was 120 and to enable the Company to proceed in their project of improving the accommodation of the port, two acts of parliament were obtained, one in 1802 and the other in 1805, to enable them to increase the number of shares to 180. The sum arising from 60 additional shares amounted to £83,390 and this was appropriated towards the construction of a new dock called the 'Humber Dock'. J. Rennie and William Chapman Esqrs, civil engineers, were the parties engaged to carry out this work into execution. The preliminary labours for the formation of the dock were commenced in 1803. The laying of the first stone of the lock-pit, however, did not take place till the 13th April 1807, when that ceremony was gone through with the accustomed formalities, and the Dock having been completed at an expense of upwards of £220,000 was opened on the 30th June 1809.
Junction Dock.
Monday 1st June 1829 at 9 a.m. for the opening of the Junction Dock, 18 months after the first stone was laid. Previous to the start of the ceremony the bells of several churches were heard pealing a merry strain in the honour of the day. Flags were displayed from many of the public buildings, from many private establishments in the vicinity of the docks and from most of the vessels at their moorings. The whole of the steamers in port paid the compliment of hoisting flags etc. with the single exception - the 'Eagle' of Goole. At the opening time Mr. Dewear, the Humber Dock Master shouted 'open the gates and clear the bridge' and the paddles of the steamers were put into motion the instant the gates were fully opened and the bridge elevated to its height and the first two vessels glided gently into the open expanse of the newly completed dock. As the Trinity House Yacht was towed by the steam tug through the dock cheering started and small arms were fired as well as the band played on the yacht.
Stage Coaches.
Coaches from Hull 1833.
Name--------------------------Time setting out----------------From Inn----------------------------- Where to
Two Mails---------------------------2am & 4pm----------------Cross Keys Inn-----------------------------York
Telegraph Day Coach----------------6 Morning----------------Cross Keys Inn-----------------------------York
Express-----------------------6 Morning-------------------Cross Keys Inn-----------Scarborough via Driffield
Express-----------------------half past 10 am-----------Cross Keys Inn-----------Scarborough via Driffield
Union-----------------Different hours----------------Wardell's Posting House-----------Hornsea via Skirleigh
A Coach----------------------8am & 3pm----------------Wardell's Posting House----------------------Cottingham
A Coach----------------------3pm----------------Blue Bell Waterwork Street------------------------Cottingham
Queen Adelaide----------------------9am----------------Fleece Inn Market Place----------------------Beverley
King William--------------------------9am----------------Fleece Inn Market Place-----------------------Beverley
United Kingdom--------------------------4pm----------------Humber Tavern-----------------------------Beverley
Omnibus--------------------------5pm----------------Rein Deer Market Place-----------------------------Beverley
Volociters---------------half past 6 am----------------Cross Keys Market Place------Scarborough via Driffield
Boat Coach-------------half past 6 am----------------Rein Deer Market Place--------Scarborough via Driffield
Paul Pry------------------Different hours-------------Wing's Booking Office----Patrington & Hedon via Preston
Mail--------------------------4pm----------------White Horse Cave Lane--------------------------Hessle & Cave
Earl Grey--------------------4pm----------------Minerva Hotel---------Scarborough via Beverley & Bridlington
British Queen-------------------4pm----------------Vittoria Tavern-------------------Bridlington via Beverley
Wellington----------------------half past 6 am----------------Cross Keys-------------Scarborough via Beverley
Magna Charta------------------half past 3 pm----------------Minerva Hotel-------Bridlington Quay via Beverley
September 1792 Liverpool, Mancester, Leeds, York and Hull. The 'Royal Mail' Coach sets out from the Talbot Inn, Water Street, Liverpool, every morning at four o'clock, will arrive at Warrington at half past six, at Mancester at half past eight, where a stop of half an hour for breakfast and then proceed will arrive at Rochdale at eleven o'clock, at Halifax half past two where it stays half an hour for dinner, then goes on to Leeds for half past six, stops for tea and arrives at Tadcaster at nine and gets to York at ten o'clock where it meets the 'Hull Mail' which proceeds forwards immediately after supper.
December 1807 the 'Tranfalgar' Coaches to run daily to and from Manchester to Hull and from York through Mancester to Liverpool, by way of Oldham, the Junction Inn, Halifax, Bradford, Leeds , York, Weighton, Beverley and Hull, with lamps and guards. The coach from the Golden Lion, Mancester sets out at six o'clock in the morning, arrives at the King's Arms in Leeds at two o'clock in the afternoon, and at the George Inn, Hull at eleven the same evening and from the George Inn, York sets out at eleven o'clock in the evening, arrives at the King's Arms at half past three in the morning, and at the Golden Lion Inn, Mancester, at one o'clock the same day, from whence their coaches set out for Liverpool, Chester, Holyhead and Shrewsbury. The 'Trafalgar' coach also sets out from York at eleven o'clock every morning to Thirsk, Yarm, Stockton, Sunderland and Newcastle, where it arrives at eleven in the evening, from whence it proceeds the next morning to Edinburg and Glasgow. Hawkins, Hull; Etridge, York; Marston, Hooley, Baines, Manchester.
October 1823 'British Queen Coach' for Scarborough by way of Beverley, Brandesburton, Bridlington and Quay. The proprietors of the coach, grateful for the favours which they have received, beg to inform their friends and the public, that they commenced running every other day, Monday, Wednesday and Fridays on Monday October 6th 1823. The coach leaves Bull and Sun Inn, Hull and the Plough Inn Scarborough at seven o'clock in the morning and arrives at each place about three in the afternoon. The coach will be at Beverley in time to save the coach and likewise the mail to York whence passengers may be forwarded to any part of the Kingdom. There is also a steam packet from Hull to Barton, twice a day to meet the coaches from Barton, whence passengers and parcels may be forwarded to London immediately on arrival. John Banks & Company.
October 1824 The New Lincoln and Derby Mail and Lincoln and Nottingham Coaches from Hull to Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester, Bristol, Bath and all western parts of the Kingdom. Persons leaving Hull by 'Lincoln Mail' in the morning will be at Nottingham early the same evening or arriving at Lincoln by the 'Express' will be forwarded by the 'Mail' to Newark, Nottingham or Derby from which places there are many daily coaches to all parts of England. Stephenson & Company.
July 1827 'Wellington' Four inside Coach, from Hull to Bridlington Quay and Scarborough every day excluding Sunday. The coach leaves the General Coach Office, Cross Keys, Market Place, Hull each morning at seven, proceeds through Beverley, Driffield, Bridlington Quay, Bridlington, and Hummanby and arrives at the Bell Inn, Scarborough by two o'clock. The 'Hope' a new light four inside coach leaves the Bell Inn, Scarborough every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at four in the afternoon and arrives at the Angel Inn, Whitby by seven at night. The 'Union' leaves the Angel Inn, Whitby every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at seven through Guisborough to Stockton where it arrives in time to save coaches to all parts of the North. Usher & Geldard, Hull.
December 1827 Bull and Mouth Coach Office, Leeds. Reduced fares from Leeds to Hull by way of Selby, Coach and Packet 75 milrs. Inside coach and best Cabin 7s, outside Coach and Best Cabin 5s, Outside Coach and Fore cabin 4s. Light four inside post coach running from Bull and Mouth Inn, Leeds for Selby and Hull. Messrs Outhwaite, Firth & Company.
March 1828 Reduced fares from Hull to York by the Hull and York Mail and Stage Coach Company 'Trafalgar' which leaves the General Coach Office, Market Place, Hull at seven o'clock every morning. To York 6s inside 3s outside.
August 1828 Alteration of time of departure of the Steam Packets from Thorne Water Side to Hull. Monday the 11th day of August set out from Wood's General Coach Office, Doncaster a new coach to Thorne Water Side will continue to run every day except Sunday during the summer. The 'Packets' have at a very considerable expense been refitted this spring, one completely new and another very much improved. The 'Packets' will in future leave Thorne Water Side at half past eight o'clock in the morning and the extra coach from Doncaster will set out at half past six o'clock. The old favourite coach the 'John Bull' will leave Sheffield as usual at a quarter before five o'clock in the morning. This coach is so constructed as to travel ten miles an hour with great safety.
March 1829 the 'Royal Union' Hull to York. The coach will leave Humber Tavern, Hull every morning, Sundays excepted, at half passed six, by way of Pocklington to the King's Arms, Foss Bridge, York and return from thence at two o'clock in the afternoon. Passengers booked in at Mr. Miles's Black Horse, Carr Lane, Hull; Blue Boar, Beverley; Half Moon, Market Weighton; and Black Bull inn, Pocklington. N.B. The proprietors will not be accountable for the loss of any package or parcel above the value of £5, unless entered as such and paid for accordingly.
July 1833 the Hull, Barton, Lincoln and Leicester Union Day Coach. This coach leaves Barton every morning except Sundays at 8 o'clock after the arrival of the Packet from Hull and arrives at the Stag and Pheasant, Leicester at half past 8 in the evening passing through Brigg, Spittal, Lincoln, Grantham and Meltom Mowbray. At Lincoln are branch coaches to Gainsborough, Bedford, Doncaster and Sheffield or to the west to Louth, Horncastle, Boston etc. From Leicester there are conveyences to Coventry, Bristol and Wales.
March 1834 The 'Union' Coach from Hull to Derby and Nottingham. The coach leaves Barton every Monday at half past eight o'clock and regularly performs its journey through Nottingham to Derby in twelve hours; it remains there all night and arrives at Birmingham at eleven the following morning in time for coaches to Worecester, Cheltenham, Warwick, Leamington and the West of England. Fares from Hull to Birmingham inside 35s outside 18s. Thomas Walkden & Company.
March 1834 the 'Magna Charta' Coach from Cross Keys Inn, Market Place, Hull by New Holland to Brigg, Lincoln, Newark, Nottingham and Birmingham. Avoiding the tedious passage across the Humber by Barton. Nicholson & Company.
June 1837 Hull and Hornsea coaches leave the Minerva Hotel, the London and Steam Packet Taverns and the Cross Keys, Hull every morning at eight o'clock and afternoon at four calling at Procter's Office, Land of Green Ginger and Chaffer's in Silvesters Street and return from Hornsea at eight every morning and five in the evening. Chaffer, Geldard and Procters.
May 1837 Hull and Wakefield. The public are respectfully informed that a new coach has commenced running from the Boy and Barrel Inn, Wakefield, at half-past four morning, down to Commercial Inn, Knottingley, whence passengers and parcels are forwarded by the Horse-Packet, to Goole and thence per the Eagle & Calder Steam Packets, which leave Goole precisely at ten o'clock to Hull. Outside and Fore cabins 5s, outside and best cabins 8s 6d, Inside and best cabins 8s. The 'Calder' and 'Eagle' leave Hull regularly according to tides of which information may be had at the Goole Packet Office, No.2 Dock Basin, Hull and Boy and Barrel, Wakefield.
June 1837 - 'His Majesty's Royal Mail' from Hull to Doncaster, via Cave, Howden, Boothferry, and Thorne, will commence running from the Cross Keys Hotel, Market Place, Hull and New Angel, Doncaster on Thursday, the sixth of June next at five o'clock in the morning. Passengers and parcels booked at the Cross Keys, Market Place, Hull, Half Moon, Howden, Red Lion and White Hart, Thorne, and New Angel, Doncaster - for Sheffield coach leaves half-an-hour after the arrival of the Mail.
June 1837 - The public will please take notice that a new coach, called the 'Neptune' will commence running from the Tontine Inn, Sheffield, every morning (Sundays excepted) at nine o'clock for Rotherham, Doncaster, Thorne, Booth Ferry, Howden, Market Weighton, Driffield and finally at Bridlington Quay at half passed seven the same evening in time to save the 'Magna Charta' for Scarborough. the 'Neptune' will leave the Britannia Hotel, Bridlington Quay at half past eight in the morning by the same route and arrive in Doncaster in time to meet the Nottingham ('Water-Witch') coach, the proprietors of which coach guarantee to forward two inside and four outside passengers daily, thus on the one hand enabling the traveller to leave Bridlington in the morning and arrive in Notingham the same day. Passengers and parcels booked in at Tontine - Sheffield, Crown - Rotherham, Reindeer - Doncaster, Red Lion and White Hart - Thorne, Booth Ferry, Half Moon - Howden, Devonshire Arms - Market Weighton, Red Lion - Drifield and Britannia Hotel - Bridlington Quay.
May 1842 the Albion Hotel General Coach & Railway Booking Office, Briggate, Leeds. The 'Packet' coach to Selby, and forward per Steam Packet to Hull every morning at a quarter before seven o'clock arriving in time for the different coaches to Beverley, Hornsea, Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough etc. Also for the steamers to Barton, Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Hamburg, London etc. Bradford, Wood, Forrest, Firth and Company.
May 1842 a new coach starts from Saddle Inn and Albion Hotel, Briggate every morning at a quarter before seven o'clock for Selby to meet the Steam Packets for Goole, Hull, London, Hamburg etc.
The Hull Ice Company.
Prior to 1899 Hull imported Ice from Norway. In 1891 Hull Ice Co. set up an installation on the Fish Dock, and since then the trade has expanded so enormously that in the year ending April 1928 , 167,524 tons of ice were turned out , the water used for the process during the same period was 41,933,00 gallons.
Paull - Near Hull
The Parish of Paull is on the Humber. In ancient documents the place is called Paghill and Pagula. From the earliest times it has been in possession of the Lords of the Seigniory, and it continued in the Constable family until the year 1769, when High Pauli as well as the manor of Paghill was sold for £6,700 to an opulent merchant in Hull named Blaydes. It seldom at that time cleared £100 per annum on account of the breaches made in the banks by the Humber, a single tide doing damage to the amount of £300. Since then, however, thousands of acres of the richest land have been added. The church and tithes anciently belonged to the Abbey of Albemarle and after the Dissolution the patronage was granted to the Archbishop of York and his successors. It is said that the old church was situated in Paull Holme and allowed to go to decay, and was eventually pulled down and the best of the materials used in the building of a parish church upon the bank of the Humber. The latter ediface was demolished together with a fort that was erected near it during the civil wars (on the 11th of October 1642) and it continued in ruins till the restoration of Charles II, when the materials were moved to a new site, in the open fields of Paull and used in the construction of the present church. The situation of the church, standing as it does by itself, on a considerable eminence, nearly a quarter of a mile from the town. It is dedicated to St. Mary and St. Andrew and comprises a nave with aisles, a chancel and a small transcept, with a tower of three stages in the centre. Paull is celebrated for its shrimps. King Charles I raised his forces there in 1642. In the older days war vessels were built at that place. So late as 1812 the 'Anson', 74 gunsship, was built at Paull by Mr. Steemson at a cost of £140,000.
Brough - Near Hull
June 1926 Submarine Spotter. £60,000 Flying boat launched at Hull. At Brough Aerodrome, near Hull a mystery submarine spotter was christened as 'Iris', launched and given a trial trip. There was a big crowd of sightseers. The flying boat, which took two years to build, is stated to have cost £60,000 and is one of the largest in the world. Manned by R.A.F. men, she left Brough yesterday for Felixstowe.
Ship Builder - Steemson
Built Paull in August 1804 ''Combatant' Corvette 24 guns.
January 1807. Ship Yard. To let, for a term of years or sold at the option of the applicant, an extensive ship yard, situate at Thorne Quay, in the Parish of Thorne, in the County of York, adjoining upon the River Dun, with all the slips, boilers, sheds, blacksmiths shops, drying rooms and other erections, in and to the said ship yard belonging, and also a very capacious dry dock, lately made upon the said premises and which opens into the River Dun, sufficiently capacious to hold a ship of 400 tons burthen, and also an excellent new and modern built house, adjoining the said ship yard and which commands a perfect view over all the business transacting therein. There is also for the better accommodation of conveying timber from the Dun into the Yard and from the Yard into boats, in the River Dun, a strong well built new crane capable of supporting 10 tons weight for all purposes, for which the same is used, also an excellent garden with two acres of capital land adjoining the premises. The whole are now in the occupation of the owner Mr. Steemson, who having entered in contract with Government is necessitated to leave Thorne, and reside at Paul in compliance with and for the purpose of fulfilling the engagements he hath so made. For further particulars apply to Mr. Steemson, Paul, near Hull or to Mr. Benson, solicitor, Thorne.
25th May 1807 - To be sold by Auction at the Grapes, Lowgate, Hull. Seventy-ninth Parts or Shares of the Brig 'Means', Charles Bailey, Master, also seventy-ninth Parts or Shares of her materials ( subject to such conditions of sale as shall be then and there produced) the said Brig was built by Mr. Thomas Steemson, at Thorne on 1803, under the immediate inspection of her employers and in every repect a well built substatial vessel, adapted for general purposes, sails fast, shifts without ballast and carries a large cargo at an easy draught of water, admeasures per register 109 tons, her sails and stores are in the highest state of preservation, and as the ship does not require any particular outfit (except provisions) she can be sent to sea immediately, now lying at Messrs Wright and Bowden's Quay, where she may be viewed.
Launched Paull in August 1807 ''Proserpine' Frigate 42 guns, twentyeight 18 pounders on her lower deck, 909 tons, 163 feet.
May 1808 - The 'Hyperion' Frigate, of 32 guns, lately launched from Mr. Gibson's Yard, at this port, has been fitted out, and arrived at the Little Nore, and is placed under the command of Captain Brodie.
November 1808 ''Neptune' Brig, George Skelton Master, 171 tons, built for the Company of Cheesemongers, London launched at Paull. This cutter is intended to be equipped with 8 carriage guns.
November 1808 ''Owen Glendower' Built Paull, Frigate, twentysix 18 pounders, six 9 pounders, six 32 pounders carronades on her forecastle two 9 pounders and two 32 pounders carronades. 943 tons, 149 feet length, breadth 38 feet.
April 1809 - One half share of the 'Paul Packet' built by Mr. Steemson, of Paul admeasuring 26 tons or thereabouts, and in good condition, having been built only a twelve month. For particulars apply to Richard Robinson, Hull.
May 1810 - The 'Hyperion' Frigate, of 32 guns, Captain Brodie, anchored at Port Royal on the 28th February with the fleet, to the number of 150 sail, from London and Barbadoes.
'HMS Anson'.- This the fourth ship to carry the name HMS Anson was a third rate, 74-gun, ship-of-the-line. Built by Steemson, of Paull near Hull, launched 11th May 1812, 175ft 6in long, 48ft 6in wide and of 1,742 tons. Used for harbour service from Jan-1831, then in 1844 used as a convict ship to Tasmania . Eventually broken up at Hobart 1851. (Link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Anson_%281812%29)
12th May 1812 – ‘With great pleasure we announce the safe launch of the ‘Anson’, 74 gun ship, built by, Mr. Steemson, at Paull, which took place this evening at six o’clock, without the smallest accident whatever. The morning was exceedingly inauspicious, and the wind continued so very likely to prevent the wished for consummation, that high odds were offered it would not take place. The weather, however, moderated; and in the early part of the afternoon the event became certain, to the great joy of the many thousands who were assembled from all parts to witness the scene. Precisely at high water, she went down from the stocks in the most gallant stile, amidst the salutes of the men of war who were stationed in the Humber to receive her, the shouts of the multitude, and music, on shore. The assemblage of company to witness this (in this part of the country) naval spectacle, was such as may be anticipated. It is computed that from twelve to fifteen thousand persons were present. ’
‘On Wednesday; his Majesty’s sloops of war, ‘Mercurius’, Captain Renwick; ‘Tweed’, Captain Simons and ‘Ferrer’ arrived in Paull Roads, having on board Captain Fife, and 200 men, to take charge of the ‘Anson’, when launched, and proceed with her to Portsmouth, there to take on board her stores, and be fitted out for sea. The following are the dimensions of the ‘Anson’ – Extreme length, 206ft 6in, Length of keel 154 ft, Length of gun deck 176 ft, Extreme breadth 47 ft 6 in, Extreme height aft 52 ft 6in, Extreme height forward 45ft, Extreme height midships 39 ft, Depth of hold 21ft. Her measurement is 1741 17-94th tons; she is intended to carry 32 pounders on her gun deck, and 18 pounders on her upper desk, and is allowed by competent judges to be one of the best built vessels in the British navy.’
1816 built Paul - 'Snipe' Brig, George Orton, Master, 182 tons, now lying at Church Hole.
May 1817 - 'Woodhall' Snow, 88 x 24 x 16 ft, 209 tons, for the Baltic and Archangel trade. !823 for sale March 20th by Holderness & Ward, Hull.
September 1819 - Commodore Sir T. Masterman Hardy, Bart sailed from Plymouth, on Thursday, with the 'Superb', 74, Captain T. White. 'Vengeur', 74, Captain F.L. Maitland, C.B. and the 'Hyperion' Frigate, Captain T. Searle, C.B. the 'Owen Glendower', Captain Hon. R.C. Spencer will follow.
March 1821 - The commisioners in a Commision of Bankrupt bearing date the 24th day of April, 1819, awarded and issued forth against Thomas Steemson, of the town of Kingston-upon-Hull, in the County of the same town, ship-builder, intend to meet on the 10th day of April next at eleven in the forenoon, at the Dog and Duck Tavern, in Scale Lane, Hull to make a final Dividend of the Estate and effects of the said bankrupt, when and where the Creditors who have not already proved their the same, or they will be excluded the benefit of the said dividend, and all claims not then proved will be disallowed. Thomas & Charles Frost, Solicitors.
April 12, 1812 - The Creditors who have proved their Debts under a Commission of Bankrupt, awarded and issued against Thomas Steemson, late of the town of Kingston-upon-Hull, Shipbuilder, deceased, may receive a further and final dividend by applying at the Bank of Messrs. Harrison, Watson and Locke, in Hull. Thomas & Charles Frost, Solicitors.
1838 - 'The Annals' mentions "- during the French war Paul was celebrated for its extensive dock-yard, in which ships of 74 guns were sometimes built"
May 1839 - Steemson's ship building esablishment will be occupied again for the purpose of ship building, by an united company of shipwrights who are said to have contracted to build a ship for the Hull Shipping Company.
Built Paull in 1859 'Ulysses' Sailing Smack (Official No. 27026) 39 tons. Registered Hull 1870, owned by John Huckstep, Hull. Registered Yarmouth 1880, owned by Alfred Sillett, Yarmouth.
There were a great many British warships built at Hull and along the Humberside during the 18th and early 19th centuries, some of the biggest being the 74 gun 'Temple' of 1759, and the 64 gun 'Ardent' of 1762, both launched at Hessle Cliff by Hugh Blaydes, that famous shipbuilder and the 40 gun ships 'Adventure' (1740), 'Anglesea' (1741), 'Hector'(1743), and 'Pool'(1744), which Blaydes built in his Hull yard.
Ship Builder - J.H. Hepworths & Sons, Paull.
December 1932. At the Humber Conservancy Board meeting it was stated that a letter had been received from Messrs Sanderson & Co. solicitors, Hull intimating that Mr. R. Hepworth, Hull contemplated purchasing a piece of land at Paull to use in connection with the breaking up of craft on the foreshore. The Board granted permission subject to the usual conditions.
October 1935. Mr. John R. Hepworth, shipbreaker, Belmont Street, Hull has purchased for breaking up at Paull the steam trawler 'Brent' of 140 tons, built by Messrs W. Hamilton & Co, Glasgow in 1892. The 'Brent' has been purchased from Consolidated Fisheries Ltd. Grimsby.
November 1941. The Wedding took place at St. Columba, Hull of Mr. Louis Hepworth, second son of Mrs and the late Mr. R. Hepworth, shipbuilder of Paull and Brindley Street, Hull and Miss Miriam Gledhill, only daughter of Mrs and the late Pilot J.E. Gledhill, Hull.
January 1948. After a lapse of 200 years, shipbuilding has been revived at Paull, east of Hull, and John R. Hepworth & Co. Ltd. have built steel lighters for the Booth Line for trade with Brazil. Each is 60 ft long and weighs 26 tons. One is named 'Elena'.
Built 1948 - 'Lapwing C' Screw River Tanker, official No. 181330, 110 x 16 x 7 ft, 74 tons,170 b.h.p. diesel engine by Ruston Hornsby Ltd. Lincoln, for Messrs James W. Cook & Co. London. 1956 lenghtened by 30 ft by J.H. Hepworth & Sons, Paull. February 1961 lost with the death of two crew members and one passenger on Whitton Sands, David Wilberforce Master.
A ship on wheels left Hull today (21st January 1949). It was the 22 ton towing vessel 'KG', built by Hepworths, of Paull, which started her journey to London docks by road. Last night, Foreman E.F. Willis, a crane driver, three men of the Docks and Inland Waterways staff, and one on the ship helped load the vessel on the the low loading articulated road vehicle. The boat measures 42 x 11 x 5 ft. It overhung the transporter by five or six feet either end. KG, which completed her trials last week, had been bought by W.J.R. Whitehair, Ltd. of London.
January 1949 Trial trip of 'K.G.' a Motor Towing Launch built by John R. Hepworth (Hull) Ltd. and is designed for towing lighters on the Thames. 43 x 12 ft, powered by a diesel engine. An order for a similar vessel has been placed.
October 1950 Two new Sheffield Sized Motor Barges for Richard Hodgson & Son, Ltd. Beverley. Named 'Orotan' official No. 183455 and 'Sectan' official No. 183456, both fitted with electric light and engines of 40 h.p.
1956 - 'Frederick Oldridge' (Yard No. 52) Steel Barge later to become a Screw Motor Tug, official No. 186728, for William Gilyott & Co. Hull.
1990 'Rix Eagle' River Tanker, official No. 9022063, registered Hull, 155 tons, 180 x 20 x 10 ft.
Hepworth Shipyard is also based on the River Humber, they are a specialist builder, converter and repairer of small to medium sized vessels. Several of the Rix Shipping barges were built and converted at the shipyard. - Rix Marine Bunkering.
Hepworth Shipyard Ltd. is a relatively small shipbuilding company based in the River humber actively engaged in the building, conversion and repairing of all types of steel craft. The shipyard has been established for over 20 years and is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.R.Rix & Sons Ltd, which is a large family owned, Hull based company. The shipyards facilities include a 30m x 12m fabrication shed where the hulls of the vessels are built, adjacentto which are comprehensively equipped fitting and joiners shop. A 42m x 8,5m dry dock is used both for the fitting out of the new build vessels as well as for the repair and conversion of other craft. The site facilities are completed by a slipway which can be accommodate shallow drafted vessels such as barges, pontoons and small ferries etc., up to a lenght of approx. 60 m.
May 2012. The joint venture between Rix Shipping and Dunston (Ship Repairs) will see three new state-of-the-art aluminum vessels at the former Hepworths Yard in Paull.
Ship Owner - J.R. Rix & Sons Ltd. Hull.
1916 - 'Magrix' (Yard No. 723) Steel Screw Steamer, official No. 139306, registered Hull, 135 x 23 x 10 ft, 124 tons, 57 h.p. for Robert Rix, 180 High Street, Hull. 1930 for John R. Rix, Crown Chambers, Land of Green Ginger, Hull.
September 1916 ''Robrix' Coaster (Official No.139307) 124 tons. 135 x 23 x 11ft, 50h.p. engines by Drypool Engineering Co. Ltd. Hull. Owned by Humber Steam Coasters Ltd., Hull. R. Rix & Sons Ltd.
1916 - 'Jarrix' (Yard No. 726) Steel Screw Steamer, official No. 139308, registered Hull, 150 x 25 x 11 ft, 204 tons, 69 h.p. for the Humber Steam Coasters Ltd. 180 High Street, Hull (J.R.Rix).
1916 - 'Ebbrix' (Yard No. 727) Steel Screw Steamer, official No. 139311, registered Hull, 150 x 25 x 11 ft, 204 tons, 69 h.p. for the Robert Rix. 180 High Street, Hull. 1930 for John R. Rix, Crown Chambers, Land of Green Ginger, Hull.
December 1919 - 'Norrix' (Yard No. 690) Steel Screw Steamer, official No. 144043, registered Hull, 750 tons for Messrs Rix & Sons, Hull. Biult by Cochranes Selby.
1920 - 'Mayrix' Steel Screw Steamer, official No. 144055, registered Hull, for Humber Steam Coasters, Ltd. Crown Chamber, Land of Green Ginger, Hull.
November 1920 ''Kenrix' Steam Coasters (Official No.144079) 317 tons. 175 x 29 x 14ft, 96h.p. Owned by Messrs. R. Rix & Sons, Hull.
November 1920 ''Ernrix' Steam Coaster (Official No.144090) 317 tons. 175 x 29 x 14ft, 96h.p. Owned by Messrs. R. Rix & Sons, Hull.
1923 - 'Malrix' Steel Screw Coaster, official No. 147085, registered Hull, for Rix Steamships Ltd, Crown Chambers, Land of Green Ginger, Hull. 175 x 29 x 11 ft, 354 tons, 96 h.p. June 1923 on Trial Trip and then loaded coal for Bremen.
May 1923 - 'Lesrix' Steel Screw Coaster, official No. 147126, registered Hull, for Rix Steamships Ltd. Crown Chambers, Land of Green Ginger, Hull. 175 x 29 x 14ft.
Built by Messrs Beliard, Crighton & Co. Ltd. Shipbuilders, Ostend, 1938 - 'Francine' for Messrs Armateur Alexander, Antwerp. 1954 sold to Messrs J. R. Rix & Sons Ltd, Carmelite House, Posterngate, Hull, renamed 'Lesrix' official No. 185172, registered Hull, 172 x 29 x 10 ft, 361 tons. 29th October 1960 left Goole loaded with coal bound for Hayle, Cornwall, under command of Captain Simison and a crew of nine. 31st October she was lost off Portland Bill, none of the crew survived.
Clelands Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Wallsend, 1965 - 'Irishgate' renamed 'Jemrix' 1974 for J.R. Rix, Hull, Coaster , official No. 6512342.
Yorkshire Dry Dock 1977 - 'Rix Hawk, Ex 'Breydon Venture', Coastal Tanker, official No. 7533630, 321 tons, 9.5 knots 1999 converted to tanker.
Yorkshire Dry Dock 1979 - 'Brendon Enterprise' in 1996 renamed and converted to 'Rix Harrier' River Tanker, official No. 7802093, 354 tons.
2003 - 'Rix Owl' River Tanker, official No. 9283588, 207 tons, 197 x 20 ft.
Hepworth Shipyard Paull 2005 - 'Rix Merlin' official No. 9366952, 496 gross tons.
2007 - 'Rix Pheonix' River Tanker, official No. 9392638, 165 tons, 197 x 20 ft.
Cholera Hospital Ships
August 1871 - During the sitting of the House of Commons, a telegram was received at the office of the Medical Department of the Privy Council stating that a case of cholera has been brought into Hull. Mr. J. Netten Radcliffe, the Privy Council inspector, started for Hull by the next train and found on his arrival that two ships had come into port from Cronstadt and that a fatal case of cholera had occured in each. No other cases had occured and there had been no cholera in Hull itself. From now until October there would be a constant stream of vessels entering Hull and other eastern ports with emigrants from the Baltic, and North Germany to America. To protect Hull, ships arriving from the Baltic would be examined before entering the port. Mr Netten Radcliffe was despatched to the north to give other ports information and then to Liverpool and Birkenhead.
July 1893 - A meeting of the Hull and Goole Port Sanitary Authority was held at the Town Hall, Alderman Dr. Fraser presiding. The Cholera Hospital Ship Committee reported that they had chosen a position in the river for vessel and recommended Mr. William Smith of 10 Prince's Terrace, Alexander Street, as Master and his wife as Matron. Mr Joseph Morris, of Providence Row, was recommended as Mate. It was decided to approach the Conservancy Commissioners respecting the mooring of the hospital ship. It was reported that alterations to the Goole cholera vessel were proceeding satisfactory, and the Goole representatives were ordered to take steps to appint the necessary officers.
August 1893 - The hospital ship is now about completed, ready for its mission in the Humber. Alderman Fraser and Dr. Kessen have supervised, as the Hull Ship Committee of the Port Sanitary Authority, the whole arrangments, taking in an economic use of the entire internal and deck space of the vessel recently purchased from Deptford for the purpose of cholera treatment. The ship was built in 1858, of rock elm, doubled with greenheart, especially for whaling. Fitted up with steam afterwards she proved a failure and fell into the hands of the late owner. The Authority purchased her for £470 at London, and this sum is more than covered in value by the copper and iron fastenings in and about her hull. The hospital ship nee 'Earl of Mar and Kelly' has undoubtably been for her very construction adapts itself to her intended Red Cross work. The station appointed by the Trinity House for the vessel is in a line between the Sir William Wright Dock and New Holland Pier.
1856 built Alloa - 'Earl of Mar and Kellie' Barque, Master 1859 Mathiean, 430 tons for T. Adaman, registered London on the Leith run.
August 1893 - It is officially stated that a suspicious case of illness, which arrived at Grimsby is one of Cholera. The patient, who is an engineer aboard a Danish trawler, is aboard the Hospital Cholera Ship 'Bradford' and grew much worse during the next day. Everything has been done by the Sanitary Committee to prepare for a lengthed stay of the vessel in the river.
September 1893 - Hull declared infected with Asiatic Cholera. Craft coming within the jurisdiction of the Hull and Goole Port Sanitary Authority will on and from to-day be examined before and not after, entering the docks. The small tender recently purchased by the Authority is now ready for service, and vessels can be eailsy boarded by the Medical Officer and the Inspector. Upon inquiry at the Cholera Hospital at Grimsby it was found that four choleraic cases had been admitted, two of which terminated fatally from Asiatic Cholera.
September 1895 - An event of serious import to Grimsby occured. It appears that an elderly man named Marriott, employed as a labourer by the Grimsby Corporation and residing in Veal Street was taken ill. Ordinary remedies for diarrhoea were applied, but as he cecame worse, Dr. Bruce, who had charge of the Cholera Hospital at Grimsby during the outbreak of two years ago, was sent for. He saw Marriott and immediately recognised the symptoms of Asiatic cholera. All remedies proved of no avail and he expired. The question at once arose as to the susposed source of infection, and here a most suspicious fact presented itself. The Steamship 'Bradford', which was used as the cholera hospital ship during 1892/3 and which until the last week has been retained by the Grimsby Corporation on hire for any emergency which might arise, has just been sold by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company to Mr. F. B. Hawkes, of Newcastle and as a consequence the hospital fittings etc belonging to the Grimsby Corporation upon the vessel have had to be removed. It is stated that Marriott had been engaged in this work and in cleaning up the ship generally upon the termination of the Corporation's tenancy.
December 1865 built by A. & J. Inglis Ltd. Glasgow - 'Bradford' (Yard No. 31) Iron Screw Steamer, official No. 54809, 1872 registered Grimsby, 176 x 24 x 12 ft, legthened 1871 to 205 x 24 x 12 ft, 293 tons, 97 h.p. for Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway Co. Manchester. 1900 for the Bradford Steamship Co. Ltd. Newcastle. August 1895 Mr Hawke of Newcastle has purchased from the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway Co. the steamship 'Bradford, which was hired by the Grimsby Corporation as a cholera hospital ship. He has now offered to re-sell it to the Corporation for £1,000, but at a special meeting it was decided by one vote not to accept the offer. A committee was appointed to look out for a wooden vessel suitable for the purpose when required. Broken up February 1908.
Hull Training Ship H.M.S. Southampton
7th November 1820 launched of H.M.S. Southampton a 50 gun vessel, 1,476 tons, 173 x 44 x 15 ft., at Deptford Dockyard and served around the world and as a Coastguard ship in Harwick and then on 18th June 1867 moved to Sammy's Point, Hull (Martin Samuelson's Shipyard Location) as a Training Ship. The Ship was closed on 28 March 1912.
April 1867 The Hull Training Ship Committee met at the Town Hall to try and decide which vessel to choose from the Admiralty list of loan vessels, The Southampton, 4th rate, 1476 tons register, lying at Sheerness, The Unicorn, 5th rate, 1084 tons register, lying Sheerness and The Pique, 5th rate, 1633 tons, lying at Davenport. It was decided that a deputation from the Committee to see the vessel before they committed themselves to it. The committee was a mix of Aldermen, Royal Naval Captains and Hull ship owners.
May 1868 the Committee of the Hull Ragged and Industrial Schools was held at the Town Hall for the purpose of electing a superintendent for the Humber training ship 'Southampton' for homeless and destitute boys. Captain Hugh Max Elliott, R.N. won the election with a salary of £200 a year and £40 a year for rations. It was proposed for the sum of £95 the 'Southampton' to be towed from Sheerness in June, July or August.
June 1868 the 'Southampton' had arrived and the Committee of the Humber Training Ship were very satisfied and most suitable for the purpose. She left Sheerness at half-past three on Monday afternoon in tow of the tug 'Fiery Cross', of London and anchored in Grimsby roads at ten o'clock on Tuesday night. On Wednesday she was placed on the beach a short distance eastward of Messrs, Earle's Shipbuilding yard.
April 1869 The Committee reported that pipes for heating the vessel had been laid at a cost of £68 by Messrs. Thompson and Stather. Mr Tidewell appointed as Bandmaster, thirty three boys reported on board and the average cost during the past three months being £2 9s. £3 5s was allowed from Government for each boy every quarter, so that there was a balence of 16s a head towards paying the officers' salaries. Total expeniture on account of the training ship was £3,057 being £663 16s above income.
August 1869 The Committee meeting was held on board, a steam tug conveying the members from the pier. On arrival on board the vessel eight Bradford boys were called forward and inspected by the Bradford committee, there was only one case of sickness and one boy fell overboard and drowned. Now 63 boys on board, 29 from Hull, 9 from Sheffield, 9 from Bradford, 5 from Nottingham, 3 each from Scarborough and Leeds, 2 from Louth and 1 each from Middlesborough, York and Cottingham. The school instruction comprises reading, writing, arothmetic and practicle geography under the charge of Mr. Bushby, the school master as well a instruction on seamanship.
September 1869 The First Annual Meeting was held on board with one of the Gainsborough Packet Company's boats took subscribers on board. Under instruction of Mr. Tidswell boys played a piece of music, other boys manning the Yards. The company sat down to luncheon at 1.30 p.m. provided by Mr. Jenkinson of Waltham Street in a very satisfactory manner. Various donations and speeches were made praising what had been achieved.
January 1870 on Wednesday evening a preliminary meeting was held to propose a house to house collection in aid of the cost of fitting out the training ship 'Southampton'. There is a debt of £500 for the cost of fitting of the vessel. The vessel can accommodate 200 boys and at the moment 120 boys are on board.
April 1870 Visit from the Mayor of Wakefield and others taken by a small steamer kindly lent by Messrs. T. Wilson , Sons. They were taken on tour of inspection of the various departments of the ship and subsequently to the committee room where sherry, biscuits and cheese were kindly provided. The house to house collections in Hull and Goole is satisfactory.
July 1870 The second annual meeting took place and supporters were transfered to the 'Southampton' by Paddle Steamers 'Pride of Tay' and 'Flora'. The vessel had a splendid array of flags and her yards were manned by 78 boys dressed in white trousers and blue jackets. The chairman in his speech thanked the house to house scheme and Beverley had realised £144 16s 8d, Louth £78 4s 6d, all of which cleared the heavy debt. The vessel is now fully rigged having three masts. The boys come from Bradford, Cottingham, Dewsbury, Driffield, Gainsborough, Goole, Grimsby, Halifax, Hull, Leeds, Lincoln, Louth, Market Weighton, Middlesborough, Nottingham, Scarborough, Sheffield, Thorne, Wakefield, and York. The treasurer's accounts show that £3,815 17s 7d has been received during the year leaving a balance in hand of £187 1s after paying this year's expenses and debt of £756 0s 11d from the previous year's account.
August 1871 the 14th report to the Home Office by Her Majesty's Inspector of Reformmatories and Certified Schools. Inspected September 1870. Number of inmates on the day of inspection 170. The training ship is a model of cleanliness, good order, superior organisation and efficient superintendence. Two accidental deaths in the year, no sick boys on board. in spite of the large number of new boys admitted since the last inspection the educational state was satisfactory. A good deal of interest is taken in the ship and the boys are allowed a very proper amount of freedom, not inconsistent with regularity and obedience to rules.
April 1874 Admiral Duncomb threatened to resign because he was not noitfied that some boys had set fire to the 'Southampton'. In future a better discipline would be maintained and he consented to continue to be president. Mr. Maxted remarked upon the large number of cases in which boys had been punished for throwing books at their schoolmaster. In consequence of some of the boys not returning punctually from their Christmas leave - and about the same time several thefts having taken place on board the ship - Captain Pollard found it necessary to curtail their indulgence of leave of absence. This appeared to have produced the first symptoms of bad feeling among the boys, and on Wednesday, the 14th January, in consequence of improper language used by the boys in a boat to Captain Pollard's children, Captain Pollard punished the former. This was at once made a pretext by several of the boys on board for increased bad feeling, which culminated on the evening of Friday the 16th January, by other lads than those punished on the 14th January attempting to set the ship on fire.
September 1874 H.M. Assistant-inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools (Henry Rodgers) reported on September 15th that he visited and inspected the ship and examined the boys in the usual subjects of school instruction. He found all in fair working order. The boys looked healthy and bright and had passed a satisfactory examination in the school room. He was sorry to find that the general good order and sound discipline of the ship had been seriously disturbed in the course of the present year. Careful attention shoud be given to the causes of the disorderly conduct which had taken place and while disaffection should be punished, good behaviour should be encouraged in every possible way.
August 1877 The annual examination on board the 'Southampton' took place on Wednesday in the presence of a large and fashionable company, A steamer left the Corporation Pier at noon several times conveying the visitors. The boys were questioned about their work and prizes given for good conduct. Luncheon was provided on the lower deck and a large number of ladies and gentlemen sat down. During the luncheon the boys were allowed to take a trip down the Humber in a steamer, and on the journey to and fro they sang various hymns and patriotic ditties.
November 1879 At Hull Police Court, three boys, named Gallivan, Trainow and Armstrong were charged with attempting to fire her Majesty's training ship 'Southampton', stationed in the Humber. On Tuesday night prisoners who were serving on board, fired a quantity of inflammable material on the poop deck. A boy informed an officer on duty, who after some little difficulty extinguished the flames, which extended to beams of the main deck. The prisoners were remanded.
August 1880 The annual examination and distribution of prizes took place on board the 'Southampton' attractively decorated with bunting and presented quite gay appearance. The Paddle Steamer 'Lady Elizabeth' was chartered for the conveuance of the visitors. The boys afterwards performed manual exercise, sword-bayonet practice, marching etc. the excellent band lending efficient aid. The lads afterwards mountered the rigging and gave a parting cheers for the Admiral on his departure, and the band playing 'Auld Lang Syne'.
May 1882 On Wednesday a meeting of the committee of the Hull Training-ship 'Southampton' and Marlborough-terrace Indiusrial Schools was held at the Town Hall. It was reported that seven boys had been admitted on board the ship since the last meeting. There are now 262 boys on register, of whom 14 are engaged in fishing, 26 were on licence, 1 in the Infirmary and 2 on long leave. The general conduct and health of the boys continued good. The condition of the ship was reported also satisfactory. Mr Busby the master reported of the seven boys admitted that one could read, write and cipher well, two fairly, three indifferently and one not at all. One was from Walthamstow, one from Huddersfield, one from Howden, one from Hull, one from Nottingham, one from Bradford and one from Sheffield.
August 1883 Captain Broad presented a report that there have been 1,100 boys received on board since the purchase of the vessel fifteen years ago. Between 800 and 900 of these have been discharged and that number the great proportion are known to be doing very well indeed. About 51 boys left last year and went to sea, and of that number 8 entered the Royal Navy and 5 the Royal Naval Reserve. The returns sent to the Home Office that 85 per cent of the boys turn out well is sufficient vindication of the work of Captain Broad and his assistants.
February 1884 A meeting of the committee reported on the death of one of the boys Joseph Robottom in the fishing smack 'Sterling' on the 18th instant. Alderman Fountain reports the system of hiring boys to fishing smacks commenced in January 1873 from which time to the present it has been carried out continuously, the average number of boys so engaged being about 25, and to present date date they have made 3,500 voyages on fishing vessels, very many of these sailing six or eight times in the same smack and in some cases with the same captain. No boys are sent who do not volunteer, and are over 14 1/2 years. A good fishing kit is supplied from the ship to each boy and should the stay at sea be longer than anticipated a further supply of clean clothes is sent out to the boys, On the day of the smack arriving in port the boy is sent back to the ship. He is immediately tubbed, examined and placed in his proper ship's clothes, and questioned about his treatment at sea.
28th August 1895 the clerk reported to the committee that, by arrangement with the chairman of the committee he had visited the industrial school training ship 'Southampton' at Hull, on July 31st and found it in a thoroughly satisfactory condition. He had seen six of the seven boys from Huddersfield on board the ship, the seventh being at the time away on the 'Ripple'. One of the Huddersfield boys, John Arthur Platts, had at the annual distribution of prizes, received the second prize for good conduct. (1869 built Hull - 'Ripple' Schooner/Barquentine/ Ketch, official No.60182, November 1869 registered Hull, 67 tons, 1870 for Richard Loram, Hull.1880 for Charles E. Dukes, 40 Waverley Street, Hull. 1890 for John H. Knowles, Holderness Road, Hull. 1900 registered Bideford for William Parkin, 8 Lucas Street, Newport Monmouth.)
February 1898 A successful concert was given on board the training ship on Wednesday evening, arranged by Messrs. J. Marfleet and J. H. Hudson. Concluding with a comic sketch entitled 'The New Office Boy' which was well performed by the Excelsior Variety Company.
July 1907 There are 193 boys on the Humber training Ship, the 'Southampton' and 40 are voluntary cases.
June 1910 A collision occurred between the barque 'Elan', of Helsingborg, and the school ship 'Southampton' in the Humber on Tuesday. The 'Southampton' has several hundreds of lads on board, a number of whom were on deck shortly before the collision occured, but as soon as it was seen that the collision was inevitable, the order was passed round for all of them to go below. Though the impact was sufficiently violent to carry away the 'Elan's' middle mast, and to tear a large hole in her starboard side, nobody was hurt. The barque was got safely into dock later, and an examination showed that the training ship had received no serious damage.
September 1911 The steamer 'Juno' from Hull to Antwerp, yesterday collided with the Humber training ship 'Southampton', which was considerably damaged above water and will by docked.
February 1912 The training ship 'Southampton', which for forty-six years has been stationed in the Humber, is likely to be abandoned and handed back to the Admiralty. It is stated that through lack of funds the Governors find it impossible to continue the maintenance of the 'Southampton' as a school ship, and they have therfore decided to give it up. The ship was to a large extent dependent upon centres sending boys for training, and upon Government grants. A meeting of all those intereted in the matter is to be held next week, when the whole position will be considered.
March 1912 The fate of the vessel was decided on Wednesday afternoon at a meeting of the Govenors, subscribers and supporters at the Town Hall. The authorities appear to regard the 'Southampton' as having out-lived its original purpose. The 'Southampton' had been at Hull for 44 years and had served its pupose as an industrial school. Something like 2,500 to 3,000 boys passed through the ship. and were mostly doing well in life. There was reason for thankfulness that the ship had existed.
July 1912 Our old friend, the training ship, 'Southampton' has now left the Alexandra Dock for the breaking up yard at Blyth.
'Anciently spelled Grimsbye is a borough, market , a sea-port town and parish, in the hundred of Bradley-Haverstoc and parts of Lindsey division, is 168 miles from London, 35 NE from Lincoln, and 16 SE from Hull.'
1828 - 'Pigot & Co. Directory
The Great Grimsby Ice Company.
In 1863 The Grimsby Ice Company was formed by leading smack-owners to import Norwegian ice,
Great Grimsby Ice Factory Trust
September 1887. Grimsby Ice Company – 'The annual meeting of the Grimsby Ice Company was held on Wednesday in the Temperance Hall. ….. Every confidence was felt in the future prosperity of the company, which is now one of the largest smackowning and steam fish-carrying companies in the country. The meeting, which at times, was of a very lively character, lasted about five hours.'
March 1889. An Ice Manufactory – 'The manufacture of artificial ice on a large scale is about to be recommended by the Great Grimsby Ice Company and the Grimsby Co-operative Ice Company, who have just opened the premises vacated by the Great Northern Ice Company. After spending some £25,000 upon buildings, land, plant, etc. at Grimsby, the latter company was wound up a short time ago, and the property and plant were purchased for the two Grimsby companies for £4,000. Before the advent of the Great Northern Ice Company, the ice trade at Grimsby was confined to the import of natural ice from Norway, but there will be now two sources of supply, and the Linde British Refrigerating Company are also about to establish an ice factory at Grimsby.'
The Great Grimsby Ice Company Factory was opened on October 9 1901 as a joint initiative between the Grimsby Ice Company and the Grimsby Co-operative Ice Company. Its purpose was to replace Norway's ice to supply local ice to preserve fish on its journey from the deep sea fishing grounds .
The Grimsby Co-operative Ice Co. Ltd. Vessels
1872 'Helens' Barque built North Hylton 433 tons, official No. 65917.
The Great Grimsby Ice Co. Ltd. Vessels
1856 'Oryx' Barque built Dundee 270 tons, official No. 16170.
1856 'Orynx' Barque built Dundee 270 tons, official No.16170.
1860 'Eddystone' Barque built South Shields 400 tons, official No. 28591.
1862 'Athenian' Barque built Sunderland 328 tons, official No. 44478.
1865 'Alliance' Barque built Hylton 338 tons, official No. 51168.
1865 'H, Smethurst' Dandy built Grimsby 58 tons, official No. 47998.
1867 'Hamburg' Dandy built Hamburg 77 tons, official No. 65840.
1867 'Humber' Dandy built Elmshorn 79 tons, official No. 65816 (Foreign name 'Stor').
1868 'Blanche' Dandy built Hamburgh 78 tons, official No. 65843.
1868 'Clara' dandy built Grimsby 58 tons, official No. 60273.
1868 'Derwent' Barque built Southwick, Durham 372 tons, official No. 58108.
1868 'Gladstone' Dandy built Denmark 76 tons, official No. 65836. Originally named 'Eider'.
1868 'Lily' Dandy built Grimsby 59 tons, official No. 60271.
1869 'Heroine' Dandy built Grimsby 60 tons, official No. 63122.
1870 'Fortitude' Dandy built Burton Stather 64 tons, official No. 60210.
1870 'Motto' Ketch built Rye 61 tons, official No. 60209.
1870 'Orient' Ketch built Sandwich 59 tons, official No. 63117.
1870 'Peace' Ketch built Sandwich 70 tons, official No. 65208.
1870 'Unity' Ketch built Rye 64 tons, official No. 27988.
1871 'Enchantress' Ketch built Brixham 69 tons, official No. 63146.
1871 'Gleaner' Dandy built Grimsby 67 tons, official No. 65823.
1871 'Hannah' Ketch built Sandwich 65 tons, official No. 65817.
1871 'Livonia' Ketch built Brixham 68 tons, official No. 65811.
1871 'Oliver Cromwell' Dandy built Grimsby 66 tons, official No. 65829.
1871 'Tornado' Dandy built Grimsby 69 tons, official No. 65815.
1871 'Valiant' Dandy built Grimsby 65 tons, official No. 65827.
1871 'Warden Law' Barque built Pallion 460 tons, official No. 62624.
1872 'Enchanter' Ketch built Brixham 69 tons, official No. 67677.
1872 'Doncaster' Dandy built Grimsby 70 tons, official No. 67670.
1872 'John Robert' Dandy built Newhaven 63 tons, official No. 67664.
1872 'Will Dawn' Dandy built Grimsby 68 tons, official No. 67669.
1872 'Emily' Dandy built Hamburg, 93 tons, offficial No.67687.
1873 'Colin Rodger' Ketch built Dartmouth 70 tons, official No. 67719.
1873 'Australian' Ketch built Brixham 72 tons, official No. 67723.
1874 'Nathan Chapman' Ketch built Grimsby 69 tons, official No. 67747.
1875 'Annie Williamson' Ketch built Plymouth 76 tons, official No. 73211.
1875 'Atalanta' Ketch built Dartmouth 78 tons, official No. 73146.
1875 'Freedom' Ketch built Grimsby 69 tons, official No.73208.
1875 'Jumna' Ketch built Grimsby 73 tons, official No. 73214.
1875 'Oimara' Ketch built Grimsby 77 tons, official No. 73216.
1875 'Queen of the Fleet' Ketch built Grimsby 67 tons, official No. 67758.
1875 'Robin Hood' Ketch built Grimsby 72 tons, official No. 73212.
1875 'Suspicious' Ketch built Grimsby 73 tons, official No. 73209.
1876 'Caledonia' Ketch built Dartmouth 78 tons, official No. 75326.
1876 'Crusader' Dandy built Rye 75 tons, official No. 73181.
1876 'Harrington' Ketch built Grimsby 72 tons, official No. 73246.
1876 'Three Sisters' Ketch built Grimsby 75 tons, official No. 76669.
1877 'Agenoria' Ketch built Grimsby 72 tons, official No. 76678.
1877 'Agra' Ketch built Grimsby 79 tons, official No. 76688.
1877 'Anglia' Ketch built Dartmouth 80 tons, official No. 75370.
1877 'Black Watch' Dandy built Elmshorn 77 tons, official No. 78484.
1877 'Cheering'Dandy built Galmpton 69 tons, official No. 78336.
1877 'Cossack' Dandy built Elmshorn 78 tons, official No. 79066.
1877 'Lynet' Brig built Norway 230 tons, official No. 76681.
1877 'Edward Heneage' Dandy built Elmshorn 78 tons, official No. 79069.
1877 'George Washington' Ketch built Schlesvig 74 tons, official No. 76709.
1877 'Guide' Ketch built Hull 83 tons, official No. 78487.
1877 'Hearty Welcome' Dandy built Barton 76 tons, official No. 78335.
1877 'Henry Herbert' Dandy built Brixham 71 tons, official No. 78483.
1877 'Hibernia' Ketch built Dartmouth 83 tons, official No. 77502.
1877 'J. Murrell' Ketch built Elmshorn 77 tons, official No. 76696.
1877 'Little Samuel' Dandy built Brixham 77 tons, official No. 79072.
1877 'Uhlan' Dandy built Apenrade 89 tons, official No. 78482.
1877 'William' Dandy built Grimsby 74 tons, official No. 78500.
1877 'Young Eliza' Dandy built Brixham 73 tons, official No. 78498.
1878 'Beaver' Ketch built Dartmouth 79 tons, official No. 79017.
1878 'Daisy' Dandy built Apenrade 74 tons, official No. 79553.
1878 'Precurser' Iron Screw Steamer 50h.p. built Middlesborough, 130 x 21 x 11ft, 113 tons, official No. 79085, 1880 owned by the Great Grimsby Ice Co. Ltd.
Trial Trip – ‘ On Saturday one of the Great Grimsby Ice Company’s new steam cutters made a trial trip to Hull, under the command of Captain Brown. Leaving the Quay at 11 a.m., with a number of gentlemen interested in the fish trade on board, the vessel arrived at Hull about one. During the passage the ‘Precursor’ ran a measured mile in 4 min. 55 sec. Luncheon was served on board, and the party went ashore for a short time in Hull, leaving again at two o;clock. The trip was in every way satisfactory. The ‘Precursor’ sailed on Monday for the fishing grounds.'
1878 'Celerity' Iron Screw Steamer 50h.p. built Middlesborough 114 tons, official No. 79086.
1878 'Dispatch' Iron Screw Steamer 50h.p. built Middlesborough 114 tons, official No. 79087.
1878 'Harry Sinclair' Dandy built Barton 77 tons, official No. 79092.
1878 'Kitty' Ketch built Elmshorn 75 tons, official No. 79555.
1878 'Jonadab' Ketch built Hamburgh 74 tons, official No. 79099.
1878 'Lord Beaconsfield' Dandy built Grimsby 80 tons, official No. 79100.
1878 'Lord Salisbury' Dandy built Barton 77 tons, official No. 79559.
1878 'Scotia' Ketch built Dartmouth 87 tons, official No. 79038.
1878 'Selina' Dandy built Brixham 76 tons, official No. 79089.
1878 'Striver' Dandy built Barton 77 tons, official No. 79084.
1878 'Twilight' Ketch built Grimsby 77 tons, official No. 79564.
1879 built Middleborough - 'Velocity' Iron Screw Steamer, 130 x 21 x 11 ft, 50 h.p. 102 tons, official No. 79575. Registered Grimsby and in 1880 owned by the Great Grimsby Ice Co. Ltd.
1879 'Ben Dearg' Ketch built Dartmouth 80 tons, official No. 73431.
1879 'Ben Ledi' Ketch built Dartmouth 77 tons, official No. 73435.
1879 'George Stevenson' Dandy built Grimsby 82 tons, official No. 79589.
1879 'Sir W. Armstrong' Dandy built Grimsby 83 tons, official No. 79567.
1880 'Exertion' Dandy built Grimsby 76 tons, official No. 83527.
1881 'Friends Goodwill' Ketch built Rye 72 tons, official No. 83562.
1881 'Fox' Dandy built Grimsby 76 tons, official No. 83541.
1882 'Boneta' Dandy built Newhaven 73 tons, official No. 86418.
1884 'Empress of India' Dandy built Grimsby 81 tons, official No. 90358.
June 1884 built Hull 'Cormorant' Iron Screw Steam Cutter, official No.90355, registered Grimsby.
1884 - 'Albatross' (Yard No. 273) Iron Screw Trawler, official No. 87800.
1884 - "Pelican" Official No. 90352.
1884 - "Gannet" (Yard No.275) Official No. 90353.
1884 - "Enterprise" (Yard No.277) Official No. 89061.
December 1884 built Whitby - 'Aelfleda' Ketch, official No.89776.
1885 'Martha Somerville' Ketch built Grimsby 79 tons, official No. 91544.
1886 'Beatrice Forester' Ketch built Brixham 84 tons, official No. 93921.
March 1887 - 'Gorden's Charge' Trawl Smack Ketch, official No. 94046, 80 x 21 x 11 ft, 90 tons, for Mr. William J. S. Hood, 47 Hainton Street, Weelsby. 1896 for Great Grimsby Ice Co. Ltd Grimsby.
1888 'G.I.C.' Ketch built Grimsby 85 tons, official No. 94083.
National Shipyard Losses. Concrete building not a success.
1919 built Sunderland - 'Creterope' Concrete Screw Steam Tug, official No.143300, June 1919 registered London, 126 x 28 x 13 ft, 262 gross tons, 120 h.p. 1920 for the Shipping Controller, London. February 1920 sunk in the Humber Dock , Hull after loading 80 tons of coal. January 1920 Concrete Shipbuilding was not a success. Construction began in February 1918 when 154 tugs and barges were ordered. At the armistice one barge of 1,000 tons had been completed and 74 were under construction. It was decided to cancel orders as far as possible. At the end of July 1919, 19 vessels had been delivered and 15 launched. The cost of each barge has averaged £27,500 while the cost of a steel barge of similar capacity would be £17,000 to £18,000. A heavy loss will be incurred, it is estimated at £2,743,000.
Other Concrete Vessels - 'Cretebow' official No.143408, 'Cretecable' official No.143370, 'Cretehatch' official No.143923, 'Cretehawser' , official No.143118 , 'Cretemast' official No.43794 , 'Cretestem' official No.43954 , 'Creteyard ' official No.43956 .
These can be anything from a simple rowing boat to a flat bottomed type of punt capable of transporting carriages or in more recent times cars.
The picture on the above shows the ferry at Booth Ferry.
Ferries on the Humber had much larger vessels.
Advertisement - Friday August 9th 1889, wanted an after oarsman at Booth Ferry, must be married.
Winteringham to Brough
January 1797 Brough Ferry. To be let and entered upon at Lady-Day next, the Ferry from Brough to Winteringham. with all the harbour dues at Brough. The boats at present employed in the Ferry may be purchased at a fair valuation. Inquire of Mr. Cockerill, at the Custom House Bank, Hull.
June 1841. Brough Ferry. B.Brown begs most respectfully to inform his friends and the Public, that he has purchased a powerful Steam Boat for the conveyance of Passengers, Goods and Cattle across the Humber to Winteringham, in Lincolnshire, which is acknowledge to be the easiest and best drive south of the Humber. Passengers and Cattle can be forwarded into the West Riding, at a very short notice, by Railway and the charges wil be the same as at Hessle. An experienced Captain has been engaged, who will cross the Humber at any time; the Pastures and Hay are the best description and every attention will be paid to the comfort and accomodation of the parties using the Ferry. B. Brown trusts from the advantageous situation and the quick despatch, that his Friends in Lincolnshire will favour him with their patronage. All inquiries to be made of Mr. William Hudson, Ferry House Inn, Brough.
Barton to Brough
Barton to Hessle
On the 24th May 1300 King Edward I came to Hull by way of Barton and Hessle and then on to Beverley. His retinue occupied eleven vessels and and took two days at a cost of thirteen shillings paid to Galfrid de Seleby.
February 1846. Barton and Hessle Ferries in conjunction with Hull and Selby Railway. J. Clapson begs to inform Cattle Dealers, Graziers and the Public generally that he has purchased the Cattle Boat lately plying between Brough and Winteringham which is now plying on the Barton and Hessle Station. This being the narrowest part of the Humber, a safe and expeditious passage is afforded for Cattle, Carriages, Horses, Gigs etc. and the Proprietor is determined that no accomodation within his power shall be witheld that may add to the great natural advantages of this Ferry. The immense and steadyily increasing traffic proves that its advantages are fully appreciated by the Public. On or after the First of February next, the Hessle Packet will be despatched to meet the several Trains to London, Leeds, York, Sheffield etc as follows; Depart from Barton 8am, 10 am, 1.30 pm, 4.45 pm. from Hessle 9 am, 11.15 am, 2.15 pm, 6.20 pm. and on Sundays 3.30 pm, 6.20 pm.
November 1852 – ‘Barton and Hessle Ferries. On Sunday afternoon Hylton’s Royal Menagerie, in 11 caravans, together with horses and the company, safely debarked at Barton waterside, from Hessle, at two different times, in four hours, en route to Gainsborough mart. The admirable arrangements made by the York and North Midland Railway Company have rendered this ferry decidedly the most safe and convenient for the transit of cattle, horses, and vehicles across the Humber.’
June 1846 Her Majesty's Postmaster General having decided that Mail shall be conveyed by way of Hessle and Barton (instead of New Holland, as heretofore) to commence on Monday 6th July next. The public are respectfully informed that the guard and passengers will leave Hull by special train at 1.30 pm for Hessle Station, to cross the Humber to Barton, and thence by Mail Coach to Brigg, Hibaldstow, Redburn, Spittal, Lincoln, Sleaford, Falkingham, Bourne, Market Deeping and Peterborough etc, returning by the same route to Hull arriving at Hull by special train about 12.30 pm. Passengers and parcels booked for the above towns at the Railway Office, Hull; Passengers will also be booked from Hull to Barton and Barton to Hull by these conveyances. the fare each way, including ferry - First Class 1s, Second Class 9d, Third Class 6d.
November 1852 – ‘Barton and Hessle Ferries. On Sunday afternoon Hylton’s Royal Menagerie, in 11 caravans, together with horses and the company, safely debarked at Barton waterside, from Hessle, at two different times, in four hours, en route to Gainsborough mart. The admirable arrangements made by the York and North Midland Railway Company have rendered this ferry decidedly the most safe and convenient for the transit of cattle, horses, and vehicles across the Humber.’
South Ferriby to North Ferriby
Hull to Ferriby Sluice
July 1846 'Royal Albion' Steam Packet. To be sold by private contract, the 'Royal Albion' Steam Packet of 48 tons burthen and 50 h.p. lately plying between Ferriby Sluice and Hull now lying in the Dock at Great Grimsby. The 'Royal Albion' was built at Hull in 1842 by Messrs Miller & Co. and her very superior engine made by Messrs Overton & Wilson, Hull. Mr. George Welbourn, Dock Office, Great Grimsby, will show the vessel and further inquiries as to price and particulars may be made at the Union Steam Packet Office, Brigg or to Mr. Daniels, Auctioneer, Hull.
May 1857 A new river steam boat was launched on Tuesday last from Messrs Samuelson's yard, Groves. She was named the 'Wave' by Miss Hoswald and is to commence running daily between Hull and Ferriby Sluice in about 3 weeks. She is 95 ft by 15 ft beam and is fitted with engines of 30 h.p. her accommodation for passengers is to be both extensive and comfortable.
September 1864 A very dense fog prevailed during the morning of Wednesday last, in the course of which the steamer 'Wave', which plies between this port and Ferriby Sluice was coming down the Humber. The 'Wave' which carries passengers between Hull & Brigg commenced her voyage about an hour and a half later than usual on account of the fog. No accident occured until the vessel arrived off the new West Dock. This would be about a quarter to twelve o'clock and the vessel was then about 150 yards from the piles of the dock. The engines were stopped and soundings taken and it was found that they were in about five feet of water. For some few yards they dropped down the river with the engines stopped and whilst doing so the vessel struck. The obstruction with which she had met was not however sufficient to stop her and she still continued to float down the river. About five minutes afterwards one of the crew informed the captain that the ship was rapidly filling. The passengers in the cabin also ran on deck stating that the water was fast coming in. Captain Oswell at once gave the orders for the engine to be turned ahead at full speed and in about five minutes more the 'Wave' was run aground off the Corporation pier. The passengers were at once landed and the vessel being lightened, again floated. Two keels were attached to her with a view of floating her whilst she could be towed into Ferry Boat Dock by the 'Magna Charta' steamer. She was moved as far as the east end of the pier, when the 'Despatch' steamer was towing out seven keels, one of which ran into the keel attached to the starboard side of the 'Wave' tearing it away. Shortly afterwards the 'Wave' went down and was soon covered by the tide. Before this had occured, however, the cabin furniture and every other moveable thing was got out. Captain Oswell is of the opinion that the accident was caused by the vessel coming into contact with a large stone or stones as the vessel draws only 2 1/2 feet. and she was at the time of the accident, as stated in five feet of water. The 'Wave' had often come down the river at the same state of tide and had passed much nearer to the West Dock works. Of course measures will be taken as promptly as possible to raise the wreck.
January 1866, The Storm on Sunday night and Monday last was severely felt on the coast and on the Humber. Even as high up the river as Feriby Sluice a heavy sea ran and as the 'Wave' (the Brigg boat) was coming stern first into the Humber from Ferriby Sluice she encountered several heavy seas, which knocked in the captain's state room windows and deluged the apartment.
December 1866, Royce v Oswell - This was a claim for £2 for damage done to a boat. Mr. Summers appeared for the defendant. On the 30th of October, in the forenoon, the Ferriby Sluice steamer ran into the defendant's boat in the Ferry Boat Dock and injured it. It was afterwards repaired at a cost of £2. A Verdict was given for defendant, it being shewn that plaintiff's boat was not in its proper place.
August 1867 A challenge has been issued by Mr. T. H. Greasley to Mr. W. Hellawell to row for the championship of the Humber. The steamers 'Wave' and 'Goole' each arrived at Ferriby Sluice freighted with heavy cargoes and hundreds of people flocked to the scene of the encounter from the surrounding district. The course was from Horkstow bridge to a point near Ferriby Sluice, distance one mile and was won by Mr. Hellawell.
September 1868 The amateur match on the Ancholme between Mr. Brian Walker, of York (champion of the Humber) and Mr. W. Hellawell, of Hull (the ex-champion), is fixed to take place on Monday the 28th inst. This match has caused great interest in the town amongst rowing men. The distance will be one mile, and the prize to be completed for a piece of plate, value five guineas. Umpire Mr William Sharpe, judge Mr. Morton Munroe, Starter Mr R. Watham, stakeholder Mr. W. Wood. The steamer 'Wave' has been specially chartered for the rowers and their friends and will leave the Victorian pier at 1-30 p.m. and return from Ferriby about 4-30.
August 1894, The annual trip of Hull shop assistants to Ferriby Sluice was held yesterday, under favourable weather, only one or two showers falling. The party, numbering about 200 left the pier at 2.15 in the steamer 'Her Majesty' commanded by Captain Maltby. The tide being favourable, Ferriby, was reached about 3.30. The main attraction was the sports, for which a good array of prizes was provided. The party left Ferriby at 8.20 arriving at Hull at 9.15 without any accident or mishap.
May 1909, Opportunities for holiday makers to enjoy the breezes on the Humber are provided by the Goole & Hull Steam Packet Co. Ltd. whose steamers 'Her Majesty' and 'Empress' will be on service. During June there will be daily sailings to Ferriby Sluice and this month a service will be maintained between Hull and Goole, the starting place from Hull being the Corporation Pier. There will be a half day trip to Ferriby Sluice on Thursday June 17, leaving Hull at 2 o'clock, fare one shilling. The holiday arrangements include a trip to Goole on Sunday, leaving at 2 o'clock and on Whit Monday to Ferriby Sluice leaving at the same hour. Short trips on the Humber have also been arranged. The well known 'Atalanta' of the East Coast Passenger Service Ltd. will also be catering for the public this holiday time. Tomorrow and on Saturday there will be excursions direct to Spurn (landing), leaving Victoria Pier at 2.30, also Saturday to Grimsby and back leaving Hull at 2.30.
April 1916 River trips on the Humber were inaugurated by the steamer 'Mermaid'. The 'Isle of Axholme' will join in the service on Easter Monday, when there will be a trip to Ferriby Sluice, leaving at 1 o'clock and a river trip at 2 o'clock.
May 1928 It is understood that a Hull company has bought the pleasure steamer 'Frenchman', which for many years has given pleasure to thousands of people at Bridlington, with a view to reviving the ferry steamer service to and from Ferriby Sluice and Hull. The service was suspended during the war, and has not been restarted since. There is no doubt that a ferry will prove exceedingly popular especially during the summer months. The captain is a Winteringham man and we are informed the company intend starting the service in the last week in May.
Barton to Hull
"Barton ferry is distant from Hull 5 miles 216 yards, from Barrow ferry 1 mile 1650 yards."
In 1291 a ferry was established between Hull and Barton. In 1312 the rent paid for this ferry was 6s 8d. In 1320 its value was 40 shillings, in 1356 it was leased for £535. 0 s. 4 d., in 1831 a yearly rent of £800., then the ferry was sold to the railway company.
"Edward 1, in the course of progress to the North, visited Hull in the year 1300. He crossed the Humber, from Barton to Hessle, on the 26th of May, and the passage of the Royal party across the ferry appears to have occupied two days; the sum of 13s having been paid for the wages of Galfid de Seleby and other sailors,with eleven barges and boats employed during that time."
"In 1316, Robert de Sandal being Warden of the town, the King, at the request of the burgesses, and after an inquistition made, was pleased to establish a ferry to and from Barton in Lincolnshire, to bring and carry over men, horses, beasts,&c, at the rate of one halfpenny for every single person; a penny for every horseman; and twopence for every cart going across with two horses. This grant to the “Wardens and Burgesses, their heirs and successors for ever,” was made at Lincoln on the 28th of August, in the aforesaid year. In 1320, the value of this ferry was 40s per annum. In 1356 it was leased at the yearly rent of £535.0s.4d; and in 1831 at a yearly rent of £800. The ferry now belongs to the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company."
"In 1464, king Edward the 4th crossed the water from Barton to Hull, being the engaged in the disputes with his competitor Henry."
"22nd January 1656 - A lease was made for 11 years between the mayor and corporation of Hull, and Thomas Bamburgh, of the 'South Ferry' at a rate of £11."
In 1734 Daniel Defoe wrote about his journey from Barton to Hull - A little farther within Humber is Barton, a Town noted for nothing that I know of but an ill-favoured dangerous passage, or ferry, over the Humber to Hull, where in an open Boat, in which we had about fifteen Horses and ten Cows, mingled with about fifteen or eighteen Passengers, called Christians; we were about four Hours tossed about on the Humber, before we could get into the Harbour at Hull; whether I was Sea Sick or not is not worth Notice, but we were all sick of the Passage, any one may suppose, and particulatly I was so uneasy at it, that I chose to go round by York, rather than return to Barton, at least for a Time.
"On the 29th of October 1778, by letters patent from the crown, the Barton ferry was granted to Frances Pelham and Mary Pelham, of Whitehall, spinsters on payment of a fine of £80, and a reserved rent of £22 2s., for a reversionary term of years from 21st of March, 1792, the period of the expiration of a former lease granted to them. In this grant the ferry is descibed nearly in the same words as noted in the manorial survey of Cromwell's time. In the year 1792 the Misses Pelham disposed of their term in the ferry, to George Uppleby, Esq., of Barrow."
On the 4th July 1798 a travelling clergyman wrote the following - At eleven o'clock set sail in the Hull packet from Barton. The vessel large and commodious, with two cabins. The fare for each person only sixpence, and the company in number was about fifty. As the day was fair with a light breeze, almost everybody chose to be on deck, and the scene was delightul. The Thames is but a narrow rivulet, if compared to the Humber. The passage lasted about an hour and was truly agreeable.
"In 1799 Mr. Uppleby sold his interest in the Barton ferry for £2920 to William Osborn Esq., on behalf of the corporation of Hull, who there-upon became proprietors of both the Hull and Barton ferries, which soon exhibited the effects of monopoly. after the then existing lease of the Barton ferry fell into the hands of the Hull corporation, they let it to the Barton coach proprietors from year to year. A great event occured soon after, which effected a complete revolution in the passage of the Humber - the introduction of steam.The subsequent contentions which arose between the leasees and the public may be found narrated in the various newspapers and pamphlets of the day.
1815 - lease by the crown to the mayor and burgesses of Hull.
1st July, 1821 - From the mayor to Messrs. Thos. Boyce and Co., proprietors of coaches between Hull and London, for 12 1/2 years, rent £800, from Hull to Barton, and from Barton to Hull and Hessle.
August 12th 1835 - The Barton Ferry Company, consisted of thirteen indiviuals representing thirty-eight shares of £50 each.
September 30th 1837 - The company was dissolved and Mr. Walkden became the purchaser of the steamboats &c, at £2600, and owner of the ferries.
3rd April 1840 - Mr. Thos. Walkden died, and the ferries devolved to his daughter, Miss Ann Walkden. She made an incomplete sale to Mr.Thos. Clapson, but the ferry legally was hers until she became a bankrupt in 1851. A great number of gentlemen, compassionating her misfortune, raised by subscription £814, which they invested in the purchase of a government annuity of £60 for her life.
After Miss Walkden's bankruptcy the assignees worked the ferry until the affairs were wound up; the the North-Eastern Railway Company became the owners of the ferry, and they were succeeded in 1856 by Messrs. Hill, Stamp, and Drust, the present proprietors."
1791
The Time when the Ferry Boats Sail from Hull for Barton
At New and Full moon they go off at 3 o’clock,
1st Day after ---- ---- 4 o’clock
2nd Day after ---- ---- 5 o’clock
3rd Day after ---- ---- 6 o’clock
4th Day after ---- ---- 7 o’clock
5th Day after ---- ---- 8 o’clock
6th Day after ---- ---- 9 o’clock
At the Two Quarter Days they go off at 9 o’clock
1st Day after ---- ---- 10 o’clock
2nd Day after ---- ---- 11 o’clock
3rd Day after ---- ---- 12 o’clock
4th Day after ---- ---- 1 o’clock
5th Day after ---- ---- 2 o’clock
6th Day after ---- ---- 3 o’clock
If the wind be West or SouthWest, the Boats will go off at half an hour before the time above-mentioned.
The boats go off from Barton to Hull, two hours after their arrival at Barton.
“Mail, when sent by Barton route, go by mail steam packet to Hessle, less than a mile across, whence they are instantly conveyed by a mail on land to Hull: when sent by New Holland, go thither from Brigg by a light cart, and then across the Humber to Hull, and the passage is one mile more by water, and a quarter or half more by land, than the Barton route.
A horse-boat conveys cattle and carriages every day coming with the tide. A market sloop plies on market-days when the morning tide favours. Barton people can go to Hull for 1d; Hull people to Barton and back for 2d; Strangers 4d. This is a privilege yet in force from ancient ferry charters. There is one steam packet to and from Hull; it leaves Hull at 7 o'clock returns from Barton at 8; leaves Hull again at 12, returns at 2; leaves a third time at 4, and starts from Barton again at half-past 6. Some years ago, before the packet was established, a hoy sailed once a day; of course the packet has benefitted the public. The fares are 6d. And 1s.; the accomodation appeared to us not so good by any means as such a continual transit of passengers should obtain. There is an export of corn, malt, bricks, tiles, starch and an import of coals.”
New Holland to Hull
Victoria Pier Hull circa 1900 - landing place for ferries and paddle steamers.
For further details about Victoria Pier use the following link http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/h/hull_corporation_pier/index.shtml
Lincoln Castle - built 1940 in Glasgow a steel steam paddle ship length 199.7ft, 33.1ft beam with a draft of 8.8ft. Built by A.& J. Inglis.
Youtube Videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WatPPKbSgXU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGC9CxADiSQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zNCq_5z9M4
Wingfield Castle - built 1934 of steel by W.Gray & Co. of West Hartlepool having a length of 199.9ft, beam of 33.1ft and a draft of 7.7 ft
Humber Tunnel
The Bill for the making of the tunnel was passed by the House of Commons Committee on 22nd May 1873, and on 3rd July 1873 it came before a Committee of the House of Lords. The Bill was again supported by practically every interest in Hull, but a great change had come over the situation in the interval between the passing of the Bill by the Commons and its arrival in the Lords, for whereas in the Lower House the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire had been in favour of the Bill, they had been induced by the North Eastern Railway in the interval to take sides against it. The Committee then considered their decision and the chairman announced: “The committee have resolved that it is not expedient to proceed further with the Bill.” However that may be, the decision was a regrettable one for Hull. It fixed the North Eastern Railway’s monopoly over Hull still more firmly.
March 1897 Rumour has it that the railway route between Hull and Lincoln is likely, in the near future, to be very much shortened. We understand from very good sources that eminent surveyors have been examining the practicability of tunnelling the Humber near Hessle. This will anticipate connection of a leading line from Lincoln with the Hull and Barnsley near Springhead Junction. In the next session of Parliament, probably, more may be heard of this matter.
May 1913 – Two schemes are in the air. One of them, which was rejected by the House of Lords in 1873, was to have crossed the river to the west of Hull from Hessle to Barton; the other is a project for constructing a tunnel east of Hull, from Paull or Marfleet to the Lincolnshire side, with a short line connecting the railway at Goxhill. The latter scheme has been submitted to the Hull Corporation, and it is stated that a bill will be promoted in its favour in Parliament in the autumn.
March 1923 – ‘Lindsey County Council’s Meeting. Consideration was given to a resolution from the Hull Chamber of Commerce and Shipping asking for support for the Humber Tunnel scheme. Ald. Bellwood moved that the matter be referred to the Highways Committee for thorough consideration – Mr. Forrester said although he regarded any increased facilities for transit of goods or any improved method of travelling as steps in the progress of civilisation, he should like at the present time to most strenuously oppose that Council making any contribution towards the cost of it, not that he disapproved of the making of the tunnel, but simply because they could not afford it.’
June 1923 – ‘In regard to the Humber Tunnel was that there had been a meeting of the Committee appointed in connection with the Chamber of Commerce, of which Mr. E. Dumoulin was chairman. The name of an eminent engineer was mentioned, and it was decided that he should be asked to prepare a report on the potential value of a tunnel from the business point of view. This engineer has been closely associated with dock and railway affairs. The Lord Mayor, who is on the Committee and, keenly interested in the proposal, remarked that the project was a vast one and could not be decided ultimately in Hull.’
February 1934 –Mr. Louis Smith, M.P. in Parliament – ‘Despite the increased cost I believe, it would command general support, and that the Government would give financial assistance. It would, of course, obviate the navigation difficulty raised by a bridge. I would like to see the tunnel proposal put forward as a definite scheme by the responsible authorities. I know there is a difference of about a million pounds between the tunnel and the bridge, £1,750.000 for the bridge and £2,500,000 to £3,000,000 for the tunnel, but I think the extra expenditure would be worth while. The present system of transport is antediluvian.’
Humber Hovercraft
The Humber Hovercraft, named Mercury and run by Hover Marine, linking Hull and Grimsby made its final trip in October 1969 - just eight months after taking to the river. The service was badly hit by mechanical difficulties, unavoidable bad weather and one or two mishaps manoeuvring at Grimsby Dock.
Humber Bridge
The Humber Bridge, is a 7,280 ft (2,220-metre) single-span suspension bridge, which opened to traffic on 24 June 1981. It spans the Humber between Hessle on the north bank and Barton-upon-Humber on the south bank , connecting the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
December 1867 - 'We are pleased to learn that the suggestion we made some time ago respecting M. Boulet, the French Engineer, trying his plan for constructing bridges, on a bridge over the Humber, has been under the consideration of the company, formed in Paris, for carrying out M. Boulet's invention, and they regard the proposal so favourably and have so much confidence in M. Bolet's plan, that we hope to see the proposal realised by a bridge connecting the southern and northern banks of the Humber not far from Hull. To the railway companies interest, to the Hull Dock Company and Hull shipowners, and to all the inhabitants of Hull, with those of Beverley and other places lying eastward of Hull, and to all the residents in South Lincolnshire, the bridging the Humber is a subject of the very deepest importance, and therefore we anticipate that means will be adopted to still more favourably impress M. Boulet's friends with importance of the proposed bridge. If the Frnchmen show their confidence in M. Boulet's invention, we English people will surely not fail to show our faith in the traffic and travel for the south and west that must pass in and out of Hull. The position taken by M. Boulet's friends in this matter ought to induce Mr. C. S. Todd and his friends to revive their proposal for the 'Hull, Lincolnshire and Midland Counties Junction Railway' or ascertain that the existing railway companies will take this project up'.
August 1930 - 'In 1832 when the Ferry was inaugurated by a private company, who ran a Steam Packet from Hull to New Holland. In 1847 the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company, obtained powers to run a ferry service, which is now operated by the London and North Eastern Railway Company, who employ four boats, two of which are used during weedays and one on Sundays. The average yearly number of passengers carried amounts to 1,854,000, while the average yearly number of motor cars is 14,566. Merchandise is carried over to the extent of 102,750 tons in an average year, while 33,100 head of cattle are transported in a similar year. The economic and physical advantages of a bridge over the Humber are many. A better means of access to the great highways of Lincolnshire and the south, would open up the vast coalfields and other industrial areas which are at present almost closed to Hull. Physically, Hull would lose the name it now unfortunately possesses of being a "dead end" on the map.'
September 1930 - 'Beverley R.D.C. Finance Committee on Saturday presented a resolution that the circumstances and factors incidental to, and affecting the Beverley Rural District Council, were not such as to justify the Council in making an independant contribution to the Humber Bridge.'
September 1935 - 'Hopes of a bridge across the Humber to link up Hull and the East Riding with Lincolnshire are once again being entertained in view of the proposal put forward recently to erect a single span bridge. In connection with this newest scheme, which is receiving financial support from the Hull Corporation in its prelimary stages, test boring operations to ascertain the most suitable foundations for the bridge are present being carried out at Barton in a field known as Long Close near the Humber bank.'
July 1939 - 'Mr. Quibell (Lab Brigg) Speaking in the Commons today, made a plea for further consideration, by the Government, of the Humber Bridge question. Dr. Burgin, Minister of Transport, in reply said; " The position for the moment must stand as I announced. I cannot, with the best will in the world, take the matter further than that."
October 1942 - 'Mr. Quibell (Lab Brigg) in the Commons, asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether any action is being taken by his deparment to further the proposal by the local authorities concerned, to proceed with the construction of the proposed Humber Bridge as part of a post war policy of development and reconstruction. Mr. Noel Baker replied " If the Local authorities concerned will submit proposals to me again I shall be glad to consider them in light of the probable conditions in which they may have to be carried out."
May 1954 - 'A substantial step forward has been made towards the attainment of a Humber bridge, said the chairman (Alderman F. Holmes) at yesterday's meeting of the Hull Parliamentary and General Purposes Committee, at which it was decided to convene another conference of all interested local authorities. Alderman Holmes was referring to a reduction of £26,750 in the estimated cost of the preliminary investigation to be carried out by the consulting engineers and to a cut of 18 months in the time required to carry out the work.'
17th July 2017 - The 7,283ft bridge is granted the Grade 1 listed status 36 years since it was opened by the Queen in 1981.
River Hull
"The river Hull is navigable to Frodingham Bridge, several miles above Beverley; and thence to Great Driffield by means of a canal. Another canal extends from this river to Leven, a length of about three miles."
The Archbishop of York, Lord of the town of Beverley, and owner of the soil on both sides of the river Hull, took tolls from boats and other small vessels plying the river. In 1213 the Archbishop’s rights upon the river at the town of Hull, was to have a free passage along its midstream, of the breadth of 24 feet. At that time the navigation was restricted to boats and small craft. But though the intervention of the Archbishop Walter Gifford, it was made navigable for ships in the year 1269. In that year an arrangement was made by the same prelate with the Lady Johanna de Stuteville, and Saer de Sutton, in which the last named parties agreed to remove the wears and fences which they had in the river for their fisheries, so as to leave a certain breadth of the river free and unobstructed, that ships as well as boats might pass without interruption between the Humber and the town of Beverley, in consideration of an annual rent of six marks, to be paid to them by the Archbishop, which sum the burgesses of Beverley agreed to reimburse.
Drypool Ferry
In 1307 Sir John de Sutton Knight, then Lord of the Manor of Sutton was given the rights to run a ferry at Drypool.
"The freedom of passage conferred upon the burgesses by their charter, caused them to establish a ferry across the Hull; but Sir John de Sutton, Knt., then lord of the manor of Sutton, and owner of the lands on the Holderness side of the river, where the ferry lay, claimed, by descent from his ancestors, the exclusive right of passage across that river at Drypool, as appurtenant to his lands there. Having procured a writ of ad quod damnum to be directed to the Sheriff of Yorkshire, an inquisition was taken thereof in 1307, when the jurors recognised the complainant’s right to the ferry."
Wincolmlee
"On the 8th of December 1848, a dreadful catastrophe occurred here a little before 6 o’clock in the morning, which was fatal to a greater number of human lives than any other event which had occurred in this town for many years. A boat plying the Hull, at the ferry called “Brewhouse Wrack” between Groves and Wincolmlee, overturned and precipitated about thirty people into the water. A ferry had been established there many years, and since the erection of cotton mills on both sides, a large number of persons crossed and recrossed the river daily. Those on board, in this instance, were both sexes and various ages – all being workpeople of the Kingston Cotton Mills. The accident was created by some of those on board moving to one side of the vessel, which caused it to slant over. Upon this, a move to the opposite side was instinctively, though foolishly made, and then the boat at once capsized in the middle of the river. The scene which followed baffles all description. The men and lads plunged and struggled to reach the shore, and the females, void of self possession, uttered shreiks which were heard at long distances in every direction. Many embraced each other, and speedily sank, and after a few moments nothing was heard but a few splashes, which only made the silence more awful. …..Fourteen persons were drowned – twelve of whom were females."
Queen's Dock Ferry
January 1891 The Directors of the Hull Dock Company are prepared to receive tenders for working the ferry across the Queen's Dock between Grimston Street and the North and Quay Street on the south, under lease for either three or five years. Persons tendering to state the annual rent they are prepared to give, and the period they tender for.
Stone Ferry
Wawne Ferry
The Archbishop of York had a ferry across the river Hull in the mid 12th century. In 1584 Lancelot Alford leased the crossing and by the 20th century there was a floating bridge controlled by chains that was used by carts and horses and a punt for foot passengers. Wawne ferry ceased to be operated about 1947.The last ferryman was Jack Clarkson who worked from 1934 to its closure with charges of 1 penny for foot passengers, 2 pennies for cyclists to 1 shilling for a car.
Picture and details by kind permission of Mr. Martin Limon.
'The ferry had been operating for 800 years (for the first half of its history it had been owned by the monks of Meaux Abbey near Wawne). By the 20th century it was operated from the Windham Arms on the Wawne side of the River Hull. From 1911 the pub and the ferry was owned by Donald Brewer and he continued to operate it with help from others (including Jack Clarkson) until the early 1940s. He then transferred ownership to his nephew Harold Walker on May 1st 1944 (the conveyance is in the Registry of Deeds at Beverley). Walker then sold the pub, the ferry rights and 44 acres of land to Moors and Robson's Brewery (Hull) on the 5th July 1946. The sale was finalised in a conveyance dated 19th August 1946. It was at this point (Aug 1946) that the ferry ceased to operate. We know this because Ronald Dixon, the tenant of Thearne Hall and Chairman of Woodmansey Parish Council, wrote about the closure in the Woodmansey Parish Council minutes of 18th December 1946 (these are in the East Riding Archive). Dixon was a keen amateur historian and realised that the end of a ferry that had been operating for 800 years was a significant event. He tells us in the minutes that he had written to Moors and Robsons Brewery to complain but had been told that the ferry boat was not safe to use and that the cost of repairing or replacing it was too excessive in view of the revenue it would generate. While Dixon admitted "there was no known law to force a ferry service" he continued to insist that Wawne Ferry was a public ferry and "could not be closed at the will of the man who owned the boat". Dixon campaigned to get the ferry re-opened but despite an investigation by East Riding Council during 1947 the ferry remained closed. A letter from the council to Moors and Robson's in January 1948 demanding that the "ferry service should be resumed at an early date" did not produce the desired result.'
For further reading see Martin Limon's book 'Tales from the East Riding' and his other books by History Press.
Beverley Beck
River Hull to Leven Canal.
In 1801 a canal was constructed between Leven Bridge and the River Hull which enabled the carriage of goods, wares and merchandise to Hull as well as the improvment of land drainage for the area.
River Hull to Driffield Navigation.
1823.
The 'Progress' Captain Thomas Randall.
The 'Hope' Captain John Randall.
The 'Speedy' Captain Charles Verity regular traders to Hull ever other day for goods.
William Randall, Vessel Owner, Middle Street, Driffield.
Thomas Pulman, Waterman, Middle Street, Driffield.
John Hamer, Overlooker of the canal, Riverhead.
Keel 'Willie' of Driffield by Reuban Chappell, Capt W. Verity. Picture Link
Canal from Market Weighton to the River Humber
The Market Weighton Canal was raised by an Act of Parliament in 1772 and opened in 1782 and runs 9.5 miles from the Humber Estuary to its terminus near Market Weighton.
As with the Hull - Leven canal this canal also helped both as water transport and land drainage serving the villages of " Market Weighton, Blacktoft, Everingham, Harsewell, Seaton, Ross, Holme upon Spalding-moor, Froggathorpe, Gribthorpe, Spaldington, Burnsea, Hasholm, Wholsea, North Cliffe, South Cliffe, Hothham, Houghton, Bromfleet, Faxfleet, Shipton, Sancton and Walling Fenn". " Tolls to be taken not to exceed 4s. for every ton of grocery goods, wares and merchandises; 2s. for every caldron of coals; 1s. 6d. for every caldron of lime; 1s for every ton of stone; 6d. for every ton of manure of all sorts; 2s. for every 1000 of tiles; 1s. for every 1000 bricks; and 8d. for every pack of wool, containing 16 stone to each pack; to be paid in proportion of the distance; the whole being payable from the Humber to Market Weighton".
The canal ceased to be used commercially in 1958 and closed in 1971 but is still used by pleasure craft.
March 1781 a subscription being entered into for extending the said navigation to the landing place upon Weighton Horse Common. All persons desirous to undertake the digging work and to make the locks, staunches and bridges are to deliver their proposals at the next meeting of the commissioners to be held at the house of John Briggs in Market Weighton on the 19th day of April next at 10 o'clock in the morning. Plans, sections and table of dimensions may be seen by applying at Mr. Briggs's in Market Weighton or to Mr. Holt in Hull anytime after the 10th of April next, and the workmen are desired to make seperate proposals for each canal, lock, staunch etc. R. Spofforth, Clerk, Howden.
October 1847 we the undernamed being seven of the shareholders in the Market Weighton Canal, in pursuance of a certain act of parliament made and passed in the reign of Queen Victoria. An act to authorise the purchase by the York and North Midland Railway Company of the interests of the shareholders in the Market Weighton Canal and the canal communicating therewith called Sir Edward Vavasour's Canal of the Pocklington Canal and the Leven Canal, all in the East Riding of the County of York. Do hereby give notice of and call a special meeting of such shareholders, to be held at the Devonshire Arms Inn at Market Weighton, for the pupose and in order that such shareholders may approve of and authorise the sale to the said Railway Company. George Langdale, William Blow, Henry Mitton, Robert Dickson, John Richardson, William Burton, Joseph Richardson.
June 1851 a meeting of the trustees of the Market Weighton Drainage and Navigation held last May that the management should engage some competant person to prepare a report on the expense of converting the Market Weighton Canal into a warping drain. A special meeting will be held at the Londesborough Arms Inn on the 22nd July at 12 noon. by order Matthew Pearson, Clerk to the Trustees, Selby.
January 1897 the serious neglected condition of the Market Weighton Canal is engaging considerable attention in the locality of Newport and Broomfleet Landing were extensive brick works are situated. Any accident to the lock gates would result in a great loss to property. The Trustees presided by Lord Herries have decided to request an expert to inspect and report to a subsequent meeting in March.
July 1899 A meeting was held at Newport chaired by Mr. H. Shaw, chairman of the Parish Council regarding the closing of the Market Weighton Canal, which would effect the trading interest of those in the Wallingfen district.
July 1920 the traffic in bricks, coal and other materials was annually about 20,000 tons carried by vesels, including six purposely built for this navigation, each carrying 100 tons employed continuously in trading from and to the canal and serving five amalgamated works. Each vessel has to pay £200 tax per annum to use the canal.
River Ancholme
The Ancholme navigation commences from the river Humber at Ferriby Sluice, South Ferriby and runs south to Brigg and joins the Caister Canal. Three acts of Parliament were passed to enlarge the canal and the draining of the surrounding land were passed in 1767, 1802 and 1825. The canal, as with others in the region, was used to convey coal, bricks and tiles, stone, groceries, wheat, rye, beans, peas or lentils, barley, malt and oats.
Louth Canal
Louth Canal runs from Louth in Lincolnshire, to Tetney Haven, at the mouth of the Humber. As Louth started to fall into decline, plans were made for the construction of a canal in 1765. The canal built by 1770 at a cost of £28,000 allowed sea-going vessels from London to navigate to Louth exporting wool and corn and importing coal and timber. With the arrival of the railways, canal trade fell into decline and eventually closed for trade in 1924.
Louth Shipbuilders
Mark Smith, River Head, Louth
Mark Smith,born Hull about 1791, married to Hannah also from Hull and five children. Died about 1872.
8th August 1846 - A Clipper sloop was launched from the yard of Mr. Smith, shipwright, River Head, near the first lock and named the 'Zephyr'. She is intended to carry 110 tons and trade between Louth & London for Messrs Allen and Nell.
Thomas Wray
Thomas Wray born Louth about 1825, married to Phoebe with four children. Died about 1900.
1826 - 'Blakeney Packet' Sloop of 57 x 15 x 7 ft, 57 tons launched from shipyard of Mr. Wray, of Louth, the property of Mr. R.J. and Randle Brereton, Blakeney, Merchants, William Baines Master.
October 1839 - 'Henry' Sloop of 75 tons launched from shipyard of Mr. Wray, of Louth, the property of Mr. Samuel, Silversmith, Louth.
It is a Schooner named 'Elizabeth' constructed by Louth shipwright Thomas Wray. We know from a report in the Stamford Mercury newspaper that the Elizabeth was launched from Louth Riverhead in July 1845. She sailed to numerous ports, including Grimsby, Hull, Goole, Blyth, Newcastle, London, Plymouth and Antwerp. Compared with other schooners, the Elizabeth was relatively small, because she had to pass through the locks along Louth Canal. On the 3rd December 1868 the lifeboat went off in reply to sgnals of distress and brought ashore the captain of the schooner Elizabeth of Louth which was stranded on the Main below Gibralter Point. He then proceeded to Boston to get assistance of a steamer and lighter to get his vessel off.
7th December 1850 - A new vessel Billy Boy launched at Mr. Wray's River-head Yard. Her name was pronounched as the 'Slayter', 40 tons, for the coal trade between Yorkshire and Louth for George Allen.
1851 - 'Vivid' Dandy, official No.15709, May 1851 registered Grimsby, 53 tons, 1965/70 for Henry Samuel, Louth. 1880 for William Worfolk, Knottingley. 15th October 1881 lost.
April 1852 - 'Foston' 58 tons from the yard of Mr. Thomas Wray, Louth for either sea or river trade.
William Nell's Shipyard, Louth.
September 1827 - About 10 o'clock on Thusday the 5th inst. a fire broke out at the steam mill belongong to Mr. Nell, of Louth, which consumed a part of the roof and a quantity of oats.
August 1836 - William Nell, Louth was on the Provisional Committee of the Steam Communication between Boston and London.
July 1847 - 'Rapid', clipper schooner, 110 tons, launched from Mr. Nell's Shipyard, Louth. The property of Messrs. Allen and Nell designed for trade between Louth and London.
January 1851 - Messrs Allen & Nell published a document to show the high cost of shipping goods by rail because of changes in the rates. 'Steam versus Tide and Sail'.
June 1853 - Nell and Smith, Corn Market and River Head, Louth advertising the selling of Guano as a fertiliser.
October 1858 - The Sloop 'Kingston' owned by Mr. Nell, Louth commanded by Captain James Harrison aground and the loss of all crew and the captain's wife on Horsey beach.
'Queen' owned by Mr. Nell, Louth.
December 1865 - Executor of the late Mr. W. Nell of Louth sued for £16.19s.1d. by Mark Pearson, Shipbuilder, Goole for work on vessel 'Ocean'.
Loss of Louth Sloop - March 1898, 'Ebenezer', sloop belonging to Mr. A. McG. Nell (Captain Charles Cawkwell jnr) sank whilst entering Tetney for Louth. She had on board 40 tons of cake for Messrs R. J. Neil & Co. Ltd. and 15 tons of grain for Mr. Bryan Hall. The vessel and cargo estimated at a value of £600. The crew and Captain's family were rescued and landed at Grimsby.
Further reading on humber ferries visit http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66785