Offer:Look-up Liverpool (Mersey) Pilots 1734/1990

[davecigar]

Celia,
Thx for the offer.
Ryan says he has a photo, so not sure if it's the one from the Norman Morrison collection at the MMM.
Is that where yours is from?
Regards
Dave

[davecigar]

Ryan,
Henry J Evans is on the "Return" for 1895, aged 31. He is attached to No2 Boat, the schooner "Leader". She was built in 1856 by Thos. Harvey & Sons, Ipswich (Interesting facts on Google). 76' long x 18'9" beam x 9'2" draft and 61grt. She was sold to Preston Pilots in 1897 when Henry was transfered to No2 steam Pilot Boat "Leonard Spear" which had been built in Glasgow in 1896, the 2nd of four on order. The builders were Murdock & Murray, Port Glasgow, 128'2" long, 24'1" beam, 11'7" draft and 275grt.
From 1896 Pilots ceased to have shares in the boats, the 4 steamers being owned by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, therefore the system gradually changed and Pilots were not attached to any particular Pilot Boat.
HJE, as well as being appropriated to White Star Line was also an appropriated to Dominion & America Line, Oceanic Steam Navigation Co., British & North Atlantic Steam Navigation Co. and International Navigation Co.
 I have just discovered a card in one of my drawers depicting the "Victoria and Albert" in colour, from a painting by J.Witham. If you would like me to forward it to you, let me know your address by PM.
I have copied Wm Evan's signature from the "Register & Minute Book of the Liverpool Pilot's Mutual Benefit Society" established 3rd April 1848, which I will also send to you.
Regards
Dave

[arclightzero]

Dave, thank you very much for the information! However, I am a little fuzzy on some of the dates. Do you have a listing for a William Evans born 1824?

[arclightzero]

whoops, never mind. I was looking at the wrong census data.

[glenburn]

Thanks for this, Dave.
As well as being Ryan's direct ancestor, pilot William EVANS (b1834 New Brighton) is my first cousin thrice removed.

Incidentally, I note that your grandfather Thomas COCKRAM/COCHRAN was one of the seven pilots lost in the CHARLES LIVINGSTON incident in 1939 :-

http://www.old-merseytimes.co.uk/pilotboat1.html

Another being my second cousin twice removed Thomas Ledsham EVANS (b1884 New Brighton) - same relationship, but once more removed, to Ryan in USA.

Regards
Gordon

[arevans777]

Hi Dave, nice thread.

I wonder if you can shed some light on a family mystery.

The story was that my great grand father was a ship's captain, but when doing some research, I located the family in the 1911 census. His occupation is given as Pilot. His name was William James Holme (might also be listed as Holmes). He was born in 1872. In 1911 he was living in Wavertree, Liverpool, but he later moved with his very large family (he had 10 children) to the Wirral. Could he have been a Mersey River pilot?

Thanks in advance,
Antony.


 

 

[davecigar]

Anthony,
He certainly was. The name rang a bell immediately but only because of my association with the Pilot Service since the day I was born!
William James Holmes b1872, licenced in 1898, retired in 1933 and died in 1941.
He was an appropriated pilot for John Glynn & Son, Furness Withy and Booth Line.
A full record of his Pilotage career can be found in the Pilot Character Book at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock Liverpool.
I may be able to dig up some more info for you, but time doesn't allow at the moment.
Regards
Dave

[arevans777]

Dave, thank you so much for the quick confirmation and the additional information. 

I wish I could pop into the maritime museum, but I live in South Africa, so if you do get a chance to dig up more info I would really appreciate it.

Again, thanks again for your help!

[glenburn]

Hi Anthony

No doubt Dave will come up with more information when time allows, but in the meantime here's a little snippet for you free and on-line :-

Go to :- http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/findbylocation.asp. select Lancashire and click Find Directories.

On the next screen click on the word Directory in the right-hand column of the entry for Gores Directory of Liverpool & Birkenhead 1900 (Part 3 Trade & Official).
Click the box marked Browse Directory (top right).
In the ‘Go to Image’ box change the 1 to read 489 (of 671).
You’ll find a William J HOLMES listed as a 3rd class pilot attached to No 2 Steamer LEONARD SPEAR.

Listed three names after him is a distant relative of mine Albert E ANKERS, who was one of 19 pilots lost when the No 1 pilot boat ALFRED H READ struck a mine and sank at the Mersey Bar on 28 December 1917, as can be seen at :- 

http://www.wallaseycemetery.co.uk/Alfred%20H%20Read.htm

Best regards
Gordon