Silloth Shipping through the decades

Click on the pictures for a larger image

1894: 'Guldbringa'

1910: Outer Dock, paddle tug 'Petrel' on the left

1914: Tug and 'Scotia'

1927: 'Uddeholm'

1930: The long vessel behind the coal hoist had brought phosphate
from Tampa, Florida.

1946: The 'Bomb Boats' dumping unused ammunition at sea.

1950s: Dredger at work

1960s: Shipbreaking

1970s: 'Silloth Trader'

1987: 'Tequila Sunrise' one of the largest vessels ever to visit Silloth

1991: 'Erika Bojen'

2000s: The 'Ben' boats were regular visitors to the port

The history of Silloth Docks

In 1857, just after the railway arrived at Silloth, a timber jetty was built. This allowed vessels to load and unload. A regular steamer service to Liverpool was established by the “Silloth” and the construction of an enclosed dock commenced. This opened in 1859.

This engraving was published by Hudson Scott and Company of Carlisle in 1856 three years before the docks opened. "Artist's Impressions" are nothing new!

Trade in the early days included timber from the Baltic and Canada, flour and grain from Continental Europe, while coal was the main export. The Liverpool steamer carried cotton for the Carlisle mills and other regular passenger services were established between Silloth and Dublin, Belfast, the Isle of Man and, for a time, London. By the late 1870s, North American wheat began arriving mainly for Carr’s, the biscuit makers in Carlisle.

In 1879, the dock entrance gave way and put the harbour out of action for several weeks. Repairs were carried out but, in 1882, work began on a new, larger dock which was completed with the help of the newly invented ‘Steam Navvy’, the first mechanical excavator. This picture shows the work in progress.

The new dock opened in June 1885 and, two years later, Carr’s flour mill was built alongside it.

The new dock in September 1897. The large, white sailing ship is the 'Sierra Cadena' which had arrived with 3,000 tons of grain from San Francisco. The steamer is the SS 'Byron' from Baltimore with a cargo of wheat for Carr's Flour Mill which can be seen in the background.

The next twenty years were the port’s heyday. Wheat came from Australia, America and ports on the Danube and Black Sea. Timber arrived from Canada, the Baltic and Romania while ore came from Spain. The fertilizer factory imported phosphate from South Carolina and, later, Tunisia together with bones and guano from South America. Coastal trade included coal to Ireland, flour to Belfast and slate from North Wales.

A coaster is moored in front of the hydraulic coal lift at the eastern end of the new dock. Railway wagons, full of coal from the West Cumberland pits, would be hoisted up the gantry and tipped over into the ship's hold. The sailing vessel is the Norwegian barque 'Telefon'.

As the twentieth century progressed, things changed. Ocean going ships got bigger, fewer were able to dock at Silloth and coasters became the main callers. Sailing ships disappeared, the last large vessel visiting in 1914, although a few coastal schooners remained into the 1930s. The daily steamer service to Liverpool ended in 1917.

The Yarrow was built in 1893 and operated a regular service for passengers goods and cattle to Douglas in the Isle of Man and Dublin. In the late 1920s, she was sold to Palgrave Murphy of Dublin and renamed the Assaroe. Under her new name she continued to operate the route until the outbreak of the Second World War.

The Crew of the Yarrow in 1912. The stewardess is Sarah Mahony Cunningham who came from Dublin. The lad at the top of the ladder is thought to be Duncan Chisholm Junr who later became the ship's chief engineer.

In 1907, the 'Ailsa' ran aground at the port entrance. The 'Yarrow' can be seen in the distance, unable to enter the harbour, the steam tug 'Petrel' is ferrying the passengers ashore. 

Also in 1907, the fully rigged sailing ship 'Nereide' arrived from Portland, Oregon, USA with 2,800 tons of wheat for Carrs.

A third picture from 1907. The 'Sagamore' shortly after arrival from Braila, Romania. Her unusual design was known as a whale-back or turret and she caused much interest during her stay in port. Behind her, the 'Ailsa', now safely docked, is unloading her cargo of Baltic timber.

The 'Sigurd' arriving on June 23rd 1914 with phosphate from Sfax, North Africa.

Research and text by Stephen Wright

New Book

My new book on Allonby has just been published. It includes a walk around the village passing all the interesting buildings.

It's available at Allonby Post Office and Tea Room, Winters in Silloth, Harrisons in Abbeytown, Bookends in Carlisle or direct from the publishers

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Making a living

Until the mid-twentieth century, the great majority of local people worked on the land. There were also many specialist craftsmen whose livelihood depended on the farmers and their hired men.

The forge at Mawbray

Most important among these was the blacksmith. His day-to-day work included, not only keeping the farm horses well shod, but making and repairing farm implements.

The wooden wheels on the farm carts had iron tyres and these had to be renewed at regular intervals.

Some blacksmiths had a side-line too!

Tom Graham had the forge in Mawbray and doubled-up as landlord of the Lowther Arms. At Highlaws, on the back road to Abbeytown, the Rudds, father and son were blacksmiths for many years.

Another vital service for the farming community was provided by the local carpenters and joiners.

Joseph Heskett, Allonby's shoemaker

Every village had its own cobbler and many single women made their living as dress-makers.

Then there were a few less orthodox methods of earning a crust. The Beattie family from Kirkbride were bee-keepers and Robert Glaister Little from Bankmill was a rabbit-warrener.

He leased a stretch of the sea banks between Dubmill and Silloth from the Holm Cultram Manor. Rabbits love sandy soil so he made a good living from selling their meat and fur.

Making a living (2)

All along the cost, the sea also gave people a living in various ways.

At Beckfoot, Bill Storey carted sand and gravel from the shore. Most of it was used by local builders, some was used to repair the roads.

In Allonby, the Twentyman family operated a ship-breaking business. This reached its peak in the early 1900s, as steel replaced wood in the manufacture of new vessels.

Fifty years later, ship-breaking returned to the area; this time in Silloth. The Ardmore Steel Company started operations in the outer dock in 1965.

The sea and the docks have always been central to Silloth’s economy. There have always been large, ocean-going ships with cargoes to unload and there has always been a fleet of smaller fishing boats.

Generations of several local families have made a living from fishing the Solway’s waters.

Brothers Stanley and Cyril Akitt
with their boat the 'Anne'

One of these families, the Baxters, built the old landing stage and, in the summer months, supplemented their income from fishing by offering trips to visitors.

Even a disaster could lead to extra work for local men. Here a group of them are salvaging the wreck of the ‘Scotsman’ which ran aground in 1906.

The School Garden

The children at Holme St Cuthbert School, Mawbray  have a tradition of gardening which goes back over 100 years.

The instigator was Mr Andrew Wilson, Headmaster from 1911 to 1931. Within three months of taking up his new post, he had gained approval from the school managers and a grant from the Longcake Charity ‘To establish and maintain a school garden.’

Mr Wilson was obviously very keen.  The entry in the school logbook for 4^th December 1911 lists the gardening tools that arrived that day and noted that they started gardening that afternoon.

In spring 1912, Mr Wilson and the older boys set about creating a fruit plot in the glebe field below the church.  On 2^nd April, they planted 25 apple trees, 5 pear trees, 6 plum trees, gooseberry bushes, blackcurrants, redcurrants, and raspberry canes.

At first only the boys were allowed to garden and the girls had to do sewing with Miss Allen.  By June 1912, the girls were allowed in the garden. The girls tended the flower gardens, while the boys grew vegetables and fruit.  They both learnt the skill of grafting roses and the boys learnt how to graft fruit trees.

The boys were allowed to sell the vegetables they grew. In October 1925 the older boys received 37/6d. (£1.87) for their efforts.

Some of the original tools bought in 1911 are still at school today.

Adapted from ‘Plain People’
Holme St Cuthbert Histor Group, 2004.

Agricultural Shows

The Armstrong family from Newtown at Cockermouth show.

Holme St Cuthbert is a farming parish and, agricultural shows were and still are a very important part of life, which often involves the whole family.

A number of shows are still going but the ones held every year at Silloth and Aldoth no longer take place.

The Armstrongs at Workington show.

Joe Armstrong remembers taking part in Aldoth show which was usually held in August.  He had to get up early in the morning and walk the show animals to Aldoth a distance of 5 miles from Newhouse, Silloth. Then prepare them ready for judging at 10 o’clock.

He remembers the marquee, which housed the ‘Industrial Section’, consisting of all classes of vegetables, baking, knitting jams, chutneys and handicrafts, all to be judged and awarded prizes.

Aldoth Show Committee.

The beer tent, put up and run by the local pub, was, some would say, ‘an essential part of the proceedings’.

Important people attending the show were, the vet, local policeman, doctor or St John’s Ambulance and the ice-cream man!

Hound trail at Aldoth

In the afternoon hound trailing took place and it has been known for a few bets to take place.

There was also Harness racing and Sulky trotting racing which attracted some serious betting.

Silloth Show

The show ended late afternoon with a grand parade of the winning livestock around the show ring and then many would have a long walk home.

In the evening a dance was held in Aldoth School, with Billy Bowman playing the music. Joe always went to the dance and then walked (staggered) home again about 2am.

Prize giving at Silloth Show.

The Holme Cultram Agricultural Society originally held their annual show at Abbeytown. In the 1920s, they moved the venue to a field on Skinburness Road in Silloth. After this, it was always known at ‘Silloth Show’.

The latest technology in use

Occasionally there was a local foxhunt.  In the early 1900’s the master of fox hunting was Sir Wilfred Lawson who lived at Brayton.  There was one lady follower called Miss Parkin who always rode side-saddle.  

Cumberland Foxhounds on Silloth Green

Sometimes, the hunt started at Edderside with about half a dozen riders.

A Stirrup Cup at Edderside

Adapted from 'Plain People'
Holme St Cuthbert History Group, 2004.