John Wood (1717 - 89), his sons Wilton Wood I (1756 - 1803), Kelsick Wood (1840), his brother William Wood (1725 - 1804), the Wood Family, and Shipbuilding at the Low Yard, Workington harbour.
(Post in Preparation).
With some further notes on ship builders, shipbuilding and allied trades at Workington in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Seaton with its colliery and iron works is on the North Bank of the River Derwent.
John Wood aged 36 - dated 1754, John Wood aged 49 - dated 1767, William Wood, dated 1767.
Some Notes.
So far the work on this post, and the rise and fall of an industry and its people at Workington has probably been the most enjoyable and has given me a real sense of discovery. To my knowledge no one else has worked in depth on this fascinating subject. In order to put this piece together it was necessary to visit the area and the towns of Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport and the disappeared Harrington and to meet a few of the inhabitants - all of whom were welcoming and the friendly.
I am extremely grateful to the staff at Carlisle and Whitehaven Archives for allowing me access to the files and to photograph them.
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I am publishing a series of plans of the town of Workington and its Harbour here.
These plans were photographed at Carlisle Archives.
Most of the early plans are undated but hopefully here they will give a good indication of the development of the docks and the shipyards. I have posted them in what I believe to be chronological order.
The Wood's Low Yard with timber and patent slips is to the West, on the South bank of the River Derwent, The High Yard (Falcons Yard) is to the East on the South Bank of what becomes the Mill Race. As can be seen the course of the river changed.
It seems from the documents that the yard was moved to site a little further west at the beginning of the 19th century.
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14 Nov 1723. Richard Falcon married a Sarah Wood at Workington. (is this Sarah Wood related to John and William - sister?).
It appears that John Wood I was still living with his family and brother William at Coates Lane / Ropers Alley in Whitehaven in 1762 when a census was taken of the town inhabitants.
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The Coates Lane, Whitehaven property is still in the family in 1807 when Sarah Wood (nee Wilson 1731 - 1807) wife of John Wood I, died and leaves the property to her son The Rev. John Wood (1762 - 1828).
Her will is dated 1804 and proved 27 October 1807 - son Kelsick Wood and Robert Ferguson (of Carlisle, husband of her daughter Ann, 1760 - 1820) are joint executors.
She was then living at Kirkby Street, Maryport.
The property at Coates Lane is described as warehouses, buildings, and hereditaments and premises with appurtenances in her will.
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1750, John Wood launched the Diamond a 140 ton brig, and the Vine a 150 ton brig at Workington.
(check this - info from History of Workington by Richard L.M. Byers pub. 1998).
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List (incomplete) of Ships built by Wilton Wood 1756 - 1803 (son of John Wood) at Workington.
1788, Leopard, Brig, 81 Tons, William Wood.
1788, Sarah, Brig 154 Tons, Wilton Wood.
1795, Derwent, Brig, 271 Tons, Wilton Wood.
1797, Edward, Snow, 135 Tons, Wilton Wood.
1802, Nancy. Brig 158 tons, Wilton Wood.
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John Wood and his former apprentice George Hope.
Cumberland Pacquet. 18 March 1783.
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1811
Jollie's Cumberland Guide has Kelsick Wood at Portland Square and Mrs Wood? at Brow Top, Workington.
Kelsick Wood & Co are listed as on the Quayside.
Byers says - in 1750 John Wood launched at Workington, the Diamond a 140 ton brig and Vine a 150 ton brig (check this - info from History of Workington by Richard L.M. Byers pub. 1998).
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The Development of the Harbour at Workington.
The harbour at Workington had been in operation since at least the beginning of the 17th Century.
In 1696 the local landowner Henry Curwen (d. 1725) appears to have been thinking of enlarging the harbour but nothing seems to have come of it until in 1719 the masters at Workington reached a voluntary agreement to finance improvements. In 1721 Henry Curwen let Seaton Colliery (to the Whitehaven land owner Sir James Lowther?) on the condition that the lessors paid 4d per chaldron for coal shipped from Workington.
Eldred Curwen inherited Henry Curwen's estate in 1727.
Lowther and Walter Lutwidge built a wagon way from Seaton Colliery to the north side of the harbour and staithes.
Merchants Quay on the south bank of the River Derwent was planned in 1748 - 56 the ships masters had agreed to collect 2d for each ton of coal exported and the money was to be apportioned by a number of trustees for the upkeep of the harbour.
The work was was completed in 1754.
The growing importance of the local landowners the Curwens of Workington, and the Christians and Senhouse of Maryport was reflected in the developments of the ports at Workington, Harrington and Maryport, giving the Lowthers at Whitehaven real competition and foiling the attempt to create a monopoly.
In 1772 Whitehaven merchants owned 197 ships, the other three ports owned 185 ships by 1822 Whitehaven had 181 and the other three combined had 293.
Workington in 1776.
An extract from Charts, and Sailing Directions, Nautical Descriptions of the West Coast of Great Britain, Bristol Channel to Cape Wrath, by Murdoch Mackenzie, published London, 1776.
Pages 23 -24:-
"WORKINGTON Harbour."
"In Workington Harbour there is thirteen feet at high-water with ordinary spring-tides, and seven or eight with neap-tides. When there are eight feet of water in this Harbour, colours are hoisted in the day, and a lighted lanthorn hung by a rope at night, on the starboard hand going in, about two ships-length from the channel. To sail into Workington Harbour; keep about two cables-length from the edge of the sea, until the lanthorn bears about S.E. then steer right for it; from thence steer E. into the Harbour."
"Workington may be distinguished at sea by Howmichael Hill, which has a small tower on the top of it, and stands about half a mile south-westward of the Harbour's-mouth."
"There was a proposal some years ago for deepening the water in the entry of this harbour, and making it more commodious to sail out of it than it was with certain winds then; by extending the pier-head eastward, and the basket-work on the E. side of the entry, north-westward. I have not yet learned whether this has been carried into execution."
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The Plans of the Harbour and River Derwent at Workington.
The intention here is to show the development of the harbour and Low Yard the shipyard of the Wood family and the docks and shipyards on the River Derwent from the middle of the 18th century -
1. Cropped plan from the lease of the Timber Yard by the South Gut at Workington on Glebe land (land belonging to the church from the Rev Mr Addison, rector of Workington, to the Timber Company at the seaward end of Workington Harbour (South Gut), 7 Feb. 1767.
North is at the bottom of the plan.
Image courtesy Carlisle Archives.
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The Low Yard Lease of 1767.
The lease of the outer and inner timber yard and private road to it, on the south-west of the South Gut's mouth onto the River Derwent (by the rector of Workington, with Henry Curwen and the Bishop of Carlisle, to the thirteen local partners of the Timber Company, including John Wood of Workington, ship-carpenter) for 21 years, rent £7 7s 0d a year; for use as shipyard or timber yard; proviso for any future waggon ways or quay to be built by the rector; cargo-dues stated; surcharges stated for any future use for liquor trade, alehouse, store-house, or limekilns erected for the Company there; restriction on use of rest of Crossfitts (grazing-land); inset plan shows the yards, with limekiln and Watch House and the rector's and merchants quays on the South Gut, and the outfall into the River Derwent.
The yard is described on this lease as existing and being used at present.
Signed and sealed in 1767 by Adam Thompson (mariner), Joseph Hurd (mariner), Alexander Jones (gent.), Henry Allison (mariner), Henry Fawcett, John Whiteside (mariner), John Thompson (ships carpenter), John Wood, John Piele (timber merchant), John Ellwood and William Watts (both gents).
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1775. In an Indenture agreeing to a co-partnership for 12 years between: Henry Fawcett of Workington, gentleman; Joseph Ellwood of Workington, gentleman; Alexander Jones of Gosforth, gentleman; John Wood of Workington, ship carpenter; Joseph Hurd of Workington, mariner; John Hodgson of Cockermouth, farmer; John Bowe of Cockermouth, carpenter; Henry Gaitskell of Workington, merchant. John Smith of Workington, mariner; Roger Fleming of Whitehaven, gentleman; Benjamin Crosthwaite of Harrington, gentleman; Richard Askew of Harrington Harbour, mariner; Bowman Crosthwaite of Workington, mariner; Henry Bowman of Workington, gentleman for timber merchant, ship building and repairing and rope-making concerns at Workington and Harrington; the co-partners agreed to purchase the remainder of the lease of the timber yard and buildings at Workington harbour, and all shares of ships sold recently by John Ellwood which were the property of the Timber Co., at Workington lately dissolved and carry on the business. (Whitehaven archives).
John Wood (above) is again described as of Workington - he is described on the 1762 Whitehaven census as of Ropers Alley / Coates Lane, Whitehaven.
It is most likely that he moved from Coates Lane Whitehaven to Brow Top in Workington in the mid 1760's - further research is needed, but the Whitehaven property remained in the hands of the Wood family until after the death of John Wood's wife Sarah in 1807 when it was left by her to their son John Wood (1762 - 1828. The Rev.).
I have not been possible to identify this building on the maps of Whitehaven with any certainty but I suspect that it was on the corner of Coates Lane and Roper Street on the site of a 19th century building, the former Bank of Whitehaven building.
I believe there is a mid 18th century plan of Sir James Lowther's Whitehaven estates
There is a plan of Whitehaven in 1752 made by Carlyle Spedding (TNCB /plans 24 -4) and another compiled by John Spedding in the Lowther Papers.
A visit to the Lowther archives might confirm its position.
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1803. An agreement relating to 21-year lease of part of Workington Glebe (John Christian Curwen Esquire of Workington Hall to William Wallace and Company of Workington, shipbuilders). Recites that 5904 square yards of which ("the middle Piece") is now occupied by Wilton Wood and Company shipbuilders, and will be until 25 December 1808; and that William Wallace and Company are to have a 30-year term as set forth in the lease - agreement is as to use of the ground; mentions "the Waggon Way"; refers to a plan (not present in these papers). Whitehaven Archives
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May, 1831. Cumberland Pacquet.
The bankruptcy and sale of the assets of William Wallace.
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The death of John Wood.
Reported in the Cumberland Pacquet, November 1789.
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The death of Wilton Wood I, (1756 - 1803) son of John Wood (the busts).
Magazine 1803
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The Carlisle Journal, 16 July 1803.
On Saturday last, at Workington, deeply lamented, Mr. WILTON WOOD, ship-builder, in his 48th year. His truly exemplary character, and meritorious conduct through life, in the several capacities of husband, father, and friend, justly rendered him the object of universal esteem. He supported, with pious fortitude and christian resignation, the painful indisposition which has deprived society of so acknowledged an ornament. Few have more uniformly exhibited the domestic, the social, and the christian virtues. To the poor he was at all times compassionate and charitable;—as a merchant he was upright and honourable,—and as a man, benevolent, hospitable, and humane:—in short, the uniform tenor of his life was to promote "peace on earth, and goodwill towards men."
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Workington Harbour, 1777.
2. Plan of Workington prepared from an original survey of 1777.
with references to the intended developments.
Showing the Low Yard then occupied by Elwood & Co.
This copy is probably early to mid 19th century.
Showing the proposed improvements, by W Jessop.
It shows the Low Yard occupied by Ellwood and Co. and Falcon's High Yard (as timber yard below Mr (John) Smiths (the Harbour Master).
Although separate from the pages from the document below I believe that it formed part of the original.
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Cumberland Pacquet, 28 Jun 1777.
"WHEREAS many false Reports have been industriously circulated in Regard to the Conduct of the Rev. Mr. ADDISON, Rector of Workington, and Mr. JOHN SMITH, Pier-Master of the same Place, in the Affair of soliciting a Bill for the Harbour at Workington. In order to silence such malicious Reports, We the Committee for the said Harbour, are fully satisfied with the Conduct of, and do return our Public Thanks, to the said Mr. ADDISON and Mr. SMITH, for their great Attention, and the Trouble they had, during their long Attendance, on that Business, in London." Dated Workington, 25 Jun. Signed by John Hodgson, Joseph Hurd, Henry Fawcett, Henry Gaitskell, Edward Stanley, Thomas Brough, William Watts, John Ellwood.
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John Ellwood & Co, Workington.
Low Yard Timber Co., Workington.
In the 1770’s William Sumpton of Cornhow, Brackenthwaite held a 1/28th share in John Ellwood & Co timber merchants and ship builders at Workington.
Notice of sale of 1/28th share in the co-partnership of Messrs John Ellwood & Co., timber merchants and ship builders, Workington owned by William Sumpton 1773
1775 - Indenture agreeing to a co-partnership for 12 years between: Henry Fawcett of Workington, gentleman; Joseph Ellwood of Workington, gentleman; Alexander Jones of Gosforth, gentleman; John Wood of Workington, ship carpenter; Joseph Hurd of Workington, mariner; John Hodgson of Cockermouth, farmer; John Bowe of Cockermouth, carpenter; Henry Gaitskell of Workington, merchant; John Smith of Workington, mariner; Roger Fleming of Whitehaven, gentleman; Benjamin Crosthwaite of Harrington, gentleman; Richard Askew of Harrington Harbour, mariner; Bowman Crosthwaite of Workington, mariner; Henry Bowman of Workington, gentleman - for timber merchant, ship building and repairing and rope-making concerns at Workington and Harrington; the co-partners agreed to purchase the remainder of the lease of the timber yard and buildings at Workington harbour, and all shares of ships sold recently by John Ellwood which were the property of the Timber Co., at Workington lately dissolved and carry on the business
Thomas Gaitskell of Surrey, merchant and William Gaitskell of Egremont, mercer, conveyance of 1/14th share in the Low Yard Timber Co. partnership bequeathed by Henry Gaitskell to Thomas Gaitskell (his nephew), now conveyed to William Gaitskell (Thomas's cousin) for £1350 1797
The new frigate Mars (Capt. White), "pierced for 32 guns, and built by Messrs. Ellwood, and Co. of Workington, is now ready to sail from that port." Cumberland Chronicle 3 Sept 1778.
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3. Workington Harbour c. 1800.
The Woods Yard - Wallace.
North is at the top of the plan.
Note Timber slip and Patent Slip to the West of the Dock.
Numbered bollards and Hurries for loading coal.
and the individual moorings with details of the wagon ways and "hurries" for loading coal from the Curwen pits.
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4. Plan of the Harbour. c. 1800.
Showing the Low Yards - Wallace's Yard to the South alongside Wood's Yard to the North
By the newly enclosed Dock.
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6. Workington Harbour.
Undated Plan.
North is on the left of the plan.
showing the location of the "coal hurries", the wagon way to the Seaton Colliery and the course of the River Derwent.
but no sign of the Low Yard.
North is at the top of the plan.
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7. Undated plan of Workington Harbour.
"The defendant draws his nets here" Falcon?
Whitehaven Archives.
Probably Early 19th Century.
Wallace's first ship The Rambler was launched in 1813?
Crop showing Fawcett's and Wallace's ship building yards at the Low Yard and Falcons Yard at the High Yard to the East.
Whitehaven Archives YDX133/32
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The 21 year lease of 1767 was renewed in 1787 by the 1787 Company of Shipbuilders, Workington.
Those mentioned in this lease of the shipyard at Crossfitts, from the Rector of Workington. It included: Henry Fawcett, Henry Gaitskole , Joseph Hurd, William Watts, John Smith. Adam Thompson, William Cragg,(all listed as "gent,') Wilton Wood, ships carpenter, (the son of John Wood), Bowman Crosthwaite, Joseph Hayton (both mariners), John Ellwood, Richard Askew (both merchants), Julia Green of Cockermouth (widow) John Hodgson, John Bowe (both curriers), Benjamin Crosthwaite of Harrington (gent), Roger Fleming of Whitehaven (gent), and Jacob Fletcher of Liverpool (merchant). (info Byers).
Wilton Wood & Co. launched The Derwent in February 1795.
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Cumberland Chronicle 28 June 1777 -
"WHEREAS many false Reports have been industriously circulated in Regard to the Conduct of the Rev. Mr. ADDISON, Rector of Workington, and Mr. JOHN SMITH, Pier-Master of the same Place, in the Affair of soliciting a Bill for the Harbour at Workington. In order to silence such malicious Reports, We the Committee for the said Harbour, are fully satisfied with the Conduct of, and do return our Public Thanks, to the said Mr. ADDISON and Mr. SMITH, for their great Attention, and the Trouble they had, during their long Attendance, on that Business, in London." Dated Workington, 25 Jun. Signed by John Hodgson, Joseph Hurd, Henry Fawcett, Henry Gaitskell, Edward Stanley, Thomas Brough, William Watts, John Ellwood, John Falcon.
Strangely neither of the Wood brothers or Wilton Wood are signatures.
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Whitehaven Archives ref.YDX 133/3 - 23 February 1788 - Contract for building a new quay on the south side of the South Gut (John Smith, the Workington Piermaster, for the Harbour Trustees, as employer; John Barton and William Longcake, both of Workington, masons, as contractors), length 90 yards; specifications given; payment 10s 2d per cubic yard of wall; to cost £200 or more; trustees to provide scaffolding, materials and prepare the site.
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Unfortunately no early accounts of the shipbuilders still exist, but there are abstracts of the Timber Co. at Whitehaven Archives. This needs to be confirmed (Brocklebanks Records at Liverpool Maritime Archives?)
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Abstracts of accounts of the Timber Company, 1788 - 1791.
Thomas Gaitskell of Surrey, merchant and William Gaitskell of Egremont, Cumberland mercer, conveyance of 1/14th share in the Low Yard Timber Co. partnership bequeathed by Henry Gaitskell to Thomas Gaitskell (his nephew), now conveyed to William Gaitskell (Thomas's cousin) for £1350, 1797.
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1792 - Rules of the Harbour at Workington with a list of the Harbour Trustees including Wilton Wood I, Michael Falcon.
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8. Hand drawn Plan of Workington and the Harbour with Vignettes of the Church, and the Hall.
From an Actual Survey by William Swinburn, dated 1793.
A beautiful, pen and ink, though disintegrating map of Workington.
It has been conserved.
From Carlisle Archives.
It is possible to make out Falcon's Higher Yard but the text on the Lower Yards is illegible except for the Timber Yard on the West of the site.
Unfortunately the text on the map is barely legible - hopefully I will return and obtain higher resolution images.
There is a key to the right of the scale lettered a to t most of it is impossible to read.
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Used in the case of Graham v Peat 1801.
Inscribed in pencil about 1800.
South is towards the top of this plan.
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Between 1788 - 1808 (Wilton) Wood & Co. launched approx. 28 ships.
At the end of the 1787 lease (in 1806?), Wilton Wood & Co renewed the lease of the Low Yard for a further 30 years.
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On Saturday last was launched from the building yard of Messrs. K WOOD, PEILE and Co. at Workington a fine new copper-bottomed vessel of 300 tons called the WILLIAM WISE, built for Capt. John BENNIE. Carlisle Journal 29 July 1815.
Adam Wood (son of Wilton Wood) moves from Workington, to the former Ship Yard of William Wood at Maryport in 1816.
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The London Gazette, 1816.
Kelsick Wood address here is still given as at Workington in January 1816.
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Adam Wood (1788 - 1839) son of Wilton Wood (son of John Wood
Adam Wood is reported working at Maryport in 1815.
Carlisle Journal - 25 Feb. 1815 A few days ago was launched from the building yard of Messrs. Adam WOOD and Co. Maryport, a fine new copper-bottomed vessel, called the JANE, built for Capt. RICKARDS.
Carlisle Journal 29 July 1815 - On Saturday last was launched from the building yard of Messrs Adam WOOD and Co., Maryport, a beautiful new vessel called the SHEERWATER.
Carlisle Journal 9 Feb.1839. Adam Wood (1788 - 1839) (son of Wilton Wood, grandson of John Wood) is described as shipbuilder of Maryport.
Adam Wood died 1st Feb 1839, then described as of Dean near Workington and is buried at St Michaels Workington.
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In 1803 William Wallace (1767 - 1832) (shipbuilder) his brother Joseph Wallace (mariner) Joseph Steele, Henderson Borrowscale (mariner) and Joseph Walker (mariner) appears to have taken over the Low Yard formerly occupied by Wilton Wood (Byers).
Wallace built over 55 ships during his tenure at the Low Yard (Byers).
They built the 450 ton Alexander, launched 17 Feb 1814.
This partnership was dissolved in 1823. William Wallace held the lease until 1828. He was bankrupted in 1832.
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Kelsick Wood at Workington.
Kelsick Wood (1771 - 1840) (son of John Wood) was born 2 August 1771, at Workington (Brow Top? overlooking the harbour) (see map below) and was baptised 22 September 1771 at St Michaels Church, Workington.
As yet we have no address for John Wood at Workington, but it is most likely that he was at Brow Top.
Wilton Wood, (son of John Wood (1756 - 1803) died aged 47) at Workington in the prime of life ...shipbuilder and manager of the Low Yard over which concern he had ably presided for a number of years. He was generally respected as a benevolent hospitable and humane man in his 27th year (the obituary in the Monthly Magazine 1803).
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The Vessels built by Kelsick Wood, Peile &Co at Workington between 1809 and 1821.
Before he moved to Maryport to operate the William Wood's Yard.
This list is available in Captain Kelsick Wood..... by John and Ann Ferguson.
This list has been culled from a written transcript of an extract from Kelsick Woods Journal no 3, pages 55, 45 and 48 in the Crerar Files at Carlisle Archives CRO D/Cr/25
1. 1809 Stamper, Brig, 190 tons.
2. 1809 Athill, Brig, 2012 tons.
3. 1810 Louisa, Brig, 417 tons.
4. 1811 Anna Maria, Brig, 120 tons.
5.1811 Isabella, Brig, 206 tons.
6. 1812 King George, Brig, 212 tons.
7. 1812 Elizabeth, Brig, 211 tons.
8. 1812 Mars, Brig, 225 tons.
9. 1813 Kelsick Wood, Brig, 235 tons.
10. 1813 Younghusband, Brig193 tons.
11. 1813 Vittoria, Brig 71 tons.
12. 1813 Integrity, Brig 206 tons.
13. Wellington, Brig 308 tons.
14. 1814 Recovery Brig 75 tons.
15. 1814 Shawson, Brig, 219 tons.
16. 1814 Unicorn, Brig, 317 tons.
17. 1814 British Tar, 218 tons.
18. 1815 Leviathan, 140 tons.
19. 1815 William Ewart, 213 tons.
20. 1816 William Wise, 213 tons.
21. 1816 John and Mary, 180 tons.
22. 1816 Letitia, 209 tons.
23. 1816 Waterloo, 220 tons.
24. 1816 Earl of Lonsdale, 194 tons.
25. 1817 William Watts, 206 tons.
26. 1817 John Bull, 193 tons.
27. Courier, 131 tons - Robert J. Haynes, Brig 206 tons.
28. 1818, Claremont, 216 tons.
29. 1819 George Symes 285 tons.
30. 1819 Glatton 178 tons .
31. 1819 Alicia Brig 107 tons.
32. 1820 Sailor 139 tons .
33. 1820 Indian Brig 231 tons - Fisher Brig 138 tons.
34. 1821 Star 94 tons.
35. 1821 Curwen 84 tons.
36. 1821 Camelion Brig 138 tons.
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In 1818 Kelsick Wood took over the running of the Wood shipbuilding yard at Maryport from his nephew Adam Wood (1788 - 1839).
Whitehaven Archives, ref. DPW 3/23, hold a Deed of Transfer of the shares of Kelsick Wood and Co. Workington to Thomas Peile.
This deed names each part owned ship, build date master and home port.
(Date etc needed for this document).
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There is a letter from John Wood (1807 - 59), the son of Kelsick Wood addressed to him at Workington from Liverpool, and dated 1822, which suggests that KW was still living at Brow Top, Workington, but now fully involved with the ship building at Maryport.
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Wood's Yard is on the far left marked timber yard.
Falcons Yard is at the East end of the harbour marked timber yard.
.jpg)
Crop showing Brow Top the approximate location of the house of Kelsick Wood and probably John Wood.
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With Patent Slips and Custom House.
Site of the former Woods Yard.
11. Workington and Harbour.
Showing the much expanded ship building yards at the west end of the harbour.
Ordinance Survey 1867.
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12. Workington Harbour.
The Harbour was almost cut off from the town by the railway and road bridge.
Early 20th Century.
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The Harbour at Workington, 1929, looking North.
Workington Harbour at High Tide, the South Gut on the South side of the River Derwent.
Bartlett and Wallis.
c. 1840.
Showing a hurrie and the loading of coal.
The Brewery with the smoking chimney (still there) is to the left of the church.
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Some Refs. to The Timber Co. at The Low Yard, Workington.
Cumbria Archive and Local Studies Centre, Whitehaven
Reference: DBH 24/29/15
Descriptions of documents:
Notice of sale of 1/28th share in the co-partnership of Messrs John Ellwood & Co., timber merchants and ship builders, Workington, owned by William Sumpton, 1773.
Conveyance of 1/28th share of the co-partnership of the above company from William Sumpton of Cornhow, Brackenthwaite, Lorton, yeoman to Henry Gaitskell of Workington, merchant for £134, 1773.
Conveyance of 1/56th share of co-partnership from Henry Gaitskell of Workington, merchant to John Smith of Workington, (the Pier master) for £67, 1773.
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Indenture agreeing to a co-partnership for 12 years between: Henry Fawcett of Workington, gentleman; Joseph Ellwood of Workington, gentleman; Alexander Jones of Gosforth, gentleman; John Wood of Workington, ship carpenter; Joseph Hurd of Workington, mariner; John Hodgson of Cockermouth, farmer; John Bowe of Cockermouth, carpenter; Henry Gaitskell of Workington, merchant. above) John Smith of Workington, mariner; Roger Fleming of Whitehaven, gentleman; Benjamin Crosthwaite of Harrington, gentleman; Richard Askew of Harrington Harbour, mariner; Bowman Crosthwaite of Workington, mariner; Henry Bowman of Workington, gentleman for timber merchant, ship building and repairing and rope-making concerns at Workington and Harrington; the co-partners agreed to purchase the remainder of the lease of the timber yard and buildings at Workington harbour, and all shares of ships sold recently by John Ellwood which were the property of the Timber Co., at Workington lately dissolved and carry on the business - 1775. (see above).
Thomas Gaitskell of Surrey, merchant and William Gaitskell of Egremont, mercer, conveyance of 1/14th share in the Low Yard Timber Co. partnership bequeathed by Henry Gaitskell to Thomas Gaitskell (his nephew), now conveyed to William Gaitskell (Thomas's cousin) for £1350, 1797
Papers re company accounts 1821 - 1823, 1839.
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Carlisle Journal, 18 Mar 1837, a short obituary.
At Workington Mr. Robert FELL, for many years superintendant of the Low Shipbuilding-yard, aged 80 years.
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The Falcon family Shipbuilders at the High Yard, at the East End of the South Gut, Workington.
Some incomplete notes:
Michael Falcon, son of John Falcon (d.1783).
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Falcons Ship Building Yard, 3 April, 1813.
The High Yard.
at the east end of the South Gut.
Mr Smith was the Harbour Master
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Carlisle Journal - Refs to the Falcons and Shipbuilding.`
Workington. On Saturday last a copper bottomed ship called William Fell of 400 tons and pierced for twenty guns was launched from the yard of Michael Falcon for Captain John Boal in the West India trade CJ 755, 10 April 1813.
Workington. On Monday 7th a copper bottomed vessel pierced for twenty guns called Cossack of 50 tons was launched from the yard of Michael Falcon for the West India trade : CJ 800, 19 February 1814.
Workington. - On Saturday last a copper bottomed vessel called Bridget of 213 tons was launched from the yard of Michael Falcon: CJ 991, 18 October 1817.
Workington. - A copper bottomed vessel called Mary of 198 tons was launched from the yard of Mr Falcon for Captain John Lee: CJ 1315, 24 January 1824.
Workington. - A copper bottomed brig called Birkby of 324 tons was launched from the yard of Michael Falcon for Thomas Scaife & Co of Liverpool: CJ 1370, 12 February 1825.
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Falcon and Alexander.
1834 - 1st April, Success Brig, Cumberland Pacquet.
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Jollies Directory 1811.
Ships Registered at Workington.
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Ships registered at Workington, 1828 -
List prepared from Sawyers List of 1828, by Dr John Crerar. - Carlisle Archives.
The Wood family ships are underlined in red.
Lists are also available for Whitehaven, Harrington and Maryport and have been posted separately.
Falcon M. banker, Market-place.
Falcon Michael, ship-builder and anchor-smith Town End.
Falcon Thomas, captain.
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Pigot's Directory 1828.
Michael Falcon (Junior) Low Yard Workington, insurance agent.
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Workington On Monday 7th a copper bottomed vessel pierced for twenty guns called Cossack of 50 tons was launched from the yard of Michael Falcon for the West India trade : CJ 800, 19 February 1814.
Workington - A copper bottomed vessel called Mary of 198 tons was launched from the yard of Mr Falcon for Captain John Lee: CJ 1315, 24 January 1824.
Workington - A copper bottomed brig called Birkby of 324 tons was launched from the yard of Michael Falcon for Thomas Scaife & Co of Liverpool: CJ 1370, 12 February 1825
The Wallace ship yard shown in plan drawing next to Fawcetts, ship yard in the early 19th Century with little ships. (see plan above).
Wallace and Co. ship-builders. Middle Yard, Quay side, Workington - 1811, Jollies Guide.
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Workington On the fifteenth ult. a vessel called Rambler was launched from the yard of William Wallace & Co. - CJ 763, 5 June 1813.
Workington On Saturday last a brig called Maria was launched from the yard of William Wallace & Co. CJ 763, 5 June 1813.
Workington On Saturday last a vessel called Vittoria was launched from the yard of William Wallace & Co. CP 763, 5 June 1813.
Workington On Wednesday se’nnight a vessel of 300 tons pierced for fourteen guns was launched from the yard of William Wallace & Co. for Captain George Brown - CP 772, 7 August 1813.
Workington On Monday 7th a copper bottomed vessel pierced for twenty guns called Alexander of 450 tons was launched from the yard of William Wallace for Captain Vickers of Liverpool for the Quebec trade: CP 800, 19 February 1814.
Workington On Saturday last a vessel of 180 tons called Sophia was launched from the yard of William Wallace for Captain McKie: CJ 827, 27 August 1814.
Workington Saturday last a copper bottomed vessel called Cumberland of 5[9/0]0 tons was launched from the yard of Wallace, & Co: CJ 856, 8 March 1815.
Workington On Saturday last a vessel called Agnes of 300 tons was launched from the yard of W. Wallace & Co. for Captain Grieg: CJ 884, 30 September 1815
Workington On Thursday week a copper bottomed vessel called Apollo of 153 tons was launched from the yard of William Wallace & Co.: CJ 966, 26 April 1817.
Workington - On Thursday week a vessel called Elizabeth of 112 tons was launched from the yard of w. W. Wallace, & Co.: CJ 1045, 7 November 1818.
Workington - On Tuesday last a copper bottomed vessel called Mary of 280 tons was launched from the yard of William Wallace & Co. for Captain Stark of Clifton: CJ 1317, 7 February 1824.
Wallace William, is described as at the Middle Yard, Workington, Pigots Directory, 1828.
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Strike breaking at Whitehaven.
Carlisle Journal, 5 November 1825.
Report of a meeting of shipbuilders held at Whitehaven on 27/10/1825.
Present: Thomas Hartley, William Wilson, Musgrave Walker, John Brocklebank, Richard Whiteside, John Scott, Thomas Hammond for William Bowes, and Robert Hardy of Whitehaven; William Peile and Thomas Peile of Harrington and Workington; Michael Falcon Sr. and Michael Falcon, Jr. of Workington; Kelsick Wood, Joseph Huddleston and Isaac Middleton of Maryport.
It was agreed that because of the tyrannical and disorderly conduct of members of the Cumberland Shipwrights Union no member of the Union will be employed after the 29 October and that the standard rate of wages for men employed who are not connected with the union is to be 4/- per day Advertisement. CJ 1411, 5 November.
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Pigot's Directory Workington, 1828.
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For a list of Workington registered ships - from Sayers List of 1840.
see - http://www.stevebulman.f9.co.uk/cumbria/workington_shipping_f.html
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For a rather depressing look at the shameful demolition of the neighbourhood of the Marsh area of Workington docks in the 1970's - one has to ask why? what was the benefit of destroying a community? see -
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~rwbarnes/workgton/marsh.htm
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A brief but useful history of the Docks on the South side of the River Derwent at Workington.
Extracts from the document at Carlisle Archives -
Brief for plaintiff in Curwen v Longmire and Falcon, includes details of governing deeds, accounts and verbatim Depositions - 1836.
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Whitehaven Archives – Ref. Workington Harbour.
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| YDX 133 - Workington Harbour and its Coal Trade - 1759-20th century |
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| 5 - Negatives including a Workington Bank 2 guinea note of 1809 - undated | |
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| 18 - Account book of Workington Hall estate including: - 1764-1770 | |
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| 20 - Plan of Workington Harbour. No surveyor. - late 18th century post 1777 | |
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| 26 - Accounts of Workington Harbour and John's Pier - 1825-1826 | |
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| 28 - Printed copies of the relevant documents and plans, Lowther v Curwen, including: - 1681-1882 |
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| 30 - 'The Port of Workington' by R J Walker; typescript notes with three maps - 20th century |
| 31 - A plan of the Town and Harbour of Workington by William Swinburn. - 1793 | |
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