Hello seafarers. I didn't go down to the docks the other day to look at the Steam Ferry Packets, instead having received a new pair of long boots from my favourite cordwainer in Lime Street, I decided to try them out on one of my street rambles. This turned out to be the longest one yet, and I finished up miles from home and very weary. Fortunately for me a brewery dray hauled by two fine shire horses passed the end of Dale street just as I finished my task for the day, and I hailed the drayman and asked him if he could take me to my local tavern. My luck was in ~ his ale delivery was destined for the place, and I fell through the front door and took up my usual seat in the inglenook by a roaring log fire. As usual the place was filled with seafaring men and it was not long before I became well sated with good ale and food!..........anyway enough of that day and to the present. Today dawned bright and clear and my walk to the waterfront was brisk and enjoyable. One incident however I must report. On rounding the corner to the quay, I passed a building which was strange to me. It was a large wooden structure with a curved roof. The side of the building was boarded with two inch gaps between the vertical slats. On reaching it, I was alarmed to see vast clouds of smoke pouring through the slats, and people leaving the building in droves ~ however on closer inspection, I saw that they were all in a most jovial mood. When I enquired what had happened I was informed that it was the new smoke-house and that when the oak shavings were ignited things just got a little out of hand and the herrings finished up going to the great fishing grounds in the sky.............no harm was done, and I hurried on to see the
BIRKENHEAD The "Aetna" is regularly in attendance at the Aetna Slip West-side Queen's Dock, for the conveyance of passengers, horses, carriages, &c., to Birkenhead Hotel, three hours before and three hours after high water. BIRKENHEAD The "Abbey" and "Vesuvius" ply regularly, in rotation, every half hour, from the Parade Slip to Birkenhead. SEACOMBE The "Seacombe" and "Alice" Steam Packets sail regularly every hour during the day for Seacombe, from Marine Parade to Thomas Parry's, Seacombe Ferry House. TRANMERE The "Britannia" sails every hour from the Parade Slip, for Tranmere. WOODSIDE The "Royal Mail" Steam Packet, from the Parade Slip, West-side George's Dock, every hour during the day, to Hugh Williams', Woodside Ferry.
Oh! my delight when I saw we were back to sailing vessels again, they present such a wonderful sight after all those clanking, smelly, smoking monsters!
CASTLETOWN (Isle of Man) "Otter" ~ master : John Corlitt Agents: Liverpool - Mark Quayle, 19 James Street. Castletown - Richard Cubbon CASTLETOWN (Isle of Man) "Anne" ~ master : John Cain (junior) Agents: Liverpool - Mark Quayle, 19 James Street. Castletown - John Cain. DOUGLAS (Isle of Man) "Mona Castle" ~ master : Charles Voast "William Scott" ~ master : R. Blake Agents: Liverpool - Mark Quayle, 19 James Street. Douglas - John Kermode. DOUGLAS (Isle of Man) "Duke of Athol" ~ master : John Dawson "Lady Elizabeth" ~ master : John Pile Agents: Liverpool - Leece & Drinkwater, 20 Water Street. Douglas - W. L. Drinkwater. DOUGLAS (Isle of Man) "Duchess of Athol" ~ master : William Gill "Douglas" ~ master : Moses Davies Agents: Liverpool - Edward Fleetwood, 16 Nova Scotia. Douglas - John Borrow DUBLIN NEW COMPANY'S PACKETS "Shamrock" ~ master : William Roberts "Hero" ~ master : William Morris "Duke of Wellington" ~ master : Joseph Owens one of these vessels sails every other day, from each port, wind and weather permitting, for the conveyance of passengers and horses. Agents: Liverpool - Joseph D'Aguilar, 1 Murray Place, Nova Scotia. Dublin - Francis Holmes, 6 Burgh Quay, near Carlisle Bridge. DUBLIN OLD COMPANY'S PACKETS "Duke of Leinster" ~ master : Thomas Leonard "Earl of Annesley" ~ master : Julius Brett for the conveyance of passengers and horses. Agents: Liverpool - Thomas Stavert, 1 Redcross Street. Dublin - Joseph Williams, 1 White's Lane. RAMSAY (Isle of Man) "Esther & Mary" ~ master : Thomas Sprainger Agents: Liverpool - Mark Quayle, 19 James Street. Ramsay - Thomas Sprainger.
A number of Sailing Ferry Boats are continually plying
with passengers to and from the different ferries, across
the river, viz, to the Magazines, to Seacombe, Woodside,
Birkenhead, Tranmere, Rock Ferry House, New Ferry
House, and Eastham.
Ince Sailing Packet sails every day about four hours
before high water from the South west corner of Prince's
Dock, and returns the same day. When the weather and
tides will permit the same vessel sails twice each day.
With this last entry I have come to the end of the Waterfront
perambulations and will continue my investigations with
Canal Packets, and listing the Carriers of Goods by Land
and Water. I will miss my friends down on the Docks,
but no doubt many of them will keep me company after
my future travels, when I call in my favourite hostelry!
Needless to say, that is where I am now going.........
See you in my new travels, which will still be titled
Liverpool Waterfront.
David.