HULL:
database file source="h:/!Genuki/RecordTranscriptions/ERY/ERYHullHistoryPP.txt"
A History of Hull
from Baine's Gazetteer (1823)
Part 8
HULL - a description.
Markets and fairs, Water supply, Baths, Gasworks.
Markets and Fairs - The chartered market days are Tuesdays and Fridays,
but the principal market is on Tuesday. There is also a crowded market on
Saturday night, for the convenience of the townspeople. The present Market
Hall, with the shops in front, was opened on the day of the Queen's Jubilee, in
1887. The building is designed in the Flemish Renaissance style, with a
septagonal pavillion tower at the south-west corner, and an octagonal tower at
the north-east corner. It is faced with red brick, with stone dressings. The
north, south, and east sides are occupied by butchers' shops, lined with white
glazed bricks. The central hall is 196 feet by 86 feet, and is roofed with glass,
supported by wrought iron girders. In this hall provision is made for 64 open
stalls and about 256 feet of stands, for dairy produce. The main frontage is 255
feet in length. On market days, stalls are placed round Holy Trinity Church,
and on the large open space at the west end of the edifice. There is an early
morning market on Tuesdays and Fridays, for vegetables, in the Corporation
field, Park Street. The cattle and pig market is in Edward Place, and a wool
market is held weekly during June and July, in the Railway Co.'s shed, Kingston
Street.
The fairs for the sale of horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, &c., are held on the
second Tuesday in April, and on the 11th and 12th October, - the pleasure fair
being also held on the two latter days. A wholesale market is held every morning
during the season for fish and game at the Paragon station.
Water Supply. - We have in our historical portion already referred to the
troubles which the town in its early days, experienced in obtaining an adequate
supply of fresh water. In 1613, works were constructed on the site of the present
Engine Street - which thereby derived its name, as did also the adjacent streets,
called Waterworks Street and Waterhouse Lane - for the purpose of more effectually
distributing the supply of this necessity by means of wooden pipes. These works
proving wholly inadequate for supplying the wants of the increasing population,
other works were erected at the side of the Spring ditch, near the entrance to the
Hull general cemetery. In 1842 it was considered that the supply coming from
this source was no longer sufficient, and attention was directed to the river Hull.
It was thought that by filtering its water the wants of the town could be met.
Accordingly, in 1845, waterworks were erected, at a cost of £100,000, at
Stoneferry. After a time, however, a cry was raised against the quality of the tidal
river water, which was said to be both muddy and salt at intervals, and it was also
objected to on the ground that the river was contaminated by the sewerage of
the inland towns and villages on its banks, and attention was again directed to
the "Julian Wells," now known as Spring Head. Mr. Warden, having
demonstrated the capabilities of these springs, the old source of supply was reverted to.
Bores were sunk, engines erected, and mains laid to the Spring Head reservoirs.
These works were completed in 1864. Since then, two additional engines have
been erected for pumping direct into the town, the first in 1875, and the second
in 1886, and the area of the supply has been extended by means of a couple of
adits or tunnels, one in an easterly direction, under the Spring bank,
threequarters-of-a-mile in length, the other in a westerly direction, towards Kirkella,
a mile in length. Both adits have bores at intervals. The Corporation have
since erected works at the Mill Dam springs, near Cottingham, where a supply of
upwards of 5,000,000 gallons per day is obtainable. The present supply to the
town and outlying districts is over 7,000,000 gallons per day. In addition to the
Corporation supplies there are waterworks at Newington for supplying that
extensive suburb, owned by the Newington Waterworks Co., Limited. These
works are capable of affording a supply of 3,000,000 gallons per day.
Baths. - The corporation have under their care baths in Trippett, Madeley
Street, and Stoneferry. The baths and washhouses in Trippett are built of brick,
with stone facings, in the Tudor style of architecture. The first-class swimming
bath is 75 feet by 21 feet, and the boys' swimming bath is 36 feet by 23 feet.
There are 56 private first and second-class baths, which are open from 8-0 a.m.
to 6-0 p.m. in the winter, and from 7-0 a.m. to 8-0 p.m. in the summer. The
washhouses afford accommodation for 50 persons at one time to wash, dry, and
mangle. They are open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 9-0 a.m.,
the charge being 2d. for the first hour and 1d. per hour afterwards. At Madeley
Street the first-class swimming bath measures 95 feet by 30 feet, and the boys'
bath 60 feet by 30 feet. This latter bath is reserved for ladies on Wednesdays.
There are also 17 private baths. The hours for being open are the same as at the
Trippett Baths. The Baths at Stoneferry are in the old waterworks. All the
charges are very moderate.
Gas Works. - Gas is supplied to the town by three companies : - The British
Gaslight Co., which has works on the banks of the river Hull, a little north of St.
Mary's church (Sculcoates). These works were erected in 1826, but rebuilt and
enlarged in 1855. There are five gasholders, capable of containing 3,000,000
cubic feet of gas. The company has fine offices in Baker Street, erected in 1878,
at a cost of £5,000. The building is of red brick with stone dressings, and is of
semi-Elizabethan character. The public office is of large proportions, being 18
feet high, and is handsomely fitted up. The Kingston-upon-Hull Gaslight Co.,
which supplies the whole of the old town within the docks with gas, has its works
in Broadley Street, at the rear of the Town Hall. These works were established
in 1821, and were the first gasworks established in Hull. There are new four gas
holders, which contain, when full, 374,000 cubic feet. This company erected, in
1892, a suite of magnificent offices in the Renaissance style - red brick with stone
dressings - on the opposite side of Broadley Street. The Sutton, Southcoates,
and Drypool Gas Co. have their works and offices at the corner of St. Mark's
Street, near the bank of the Sutton drain. This company was formed in 1847,
since which date the works have been much enlarged, and the company was
incorporated in 1867. One of their gasholders will contain 560,000 cubic feet, and
the three together hold 765,000 cubic feet. They can produce 1,336,000 cubic
feet per day.
Parks, Pier, Cemeteries, Railway Stations.
Parks. - As already stated, Hull possesses three parks, which form charming
retreats for the townspeople in their hours of leisure. The oldest is Pearson's
Park, occupying upwards of 27 acres on the Beverley Road, and was presented to
the town in 1860, by the late Mr. Z. C. Pearson, at that time mayor of Hull. The
park, which is surrounded on three sides by villa residences, is tastefully laid out
so as to present the greatest diversity of landscape, and an imitation serpentine,
across which a bridge is thrown, adds variety to the picture. This lake is
tenanted by swans and water fowl. There are also outdoor and indoor avaries, a
number of greenhouses, and other attractions. In the centre of the park is a
fine white marble life-sized statue of the queen, by Thomas Earle. The sculptor,
whilst executing this statue, was honoured with sittings by the queen, and with
suggestions by the late Princess Alice, and the late Prince Consort frequently
worked at it, and assisted in finishing it a few weeks before his lamented death in
1861. This statue was presented to the town in 1863, by Mr. W. H. Moss, the
then mayor, in commemoration of her majesty's visit to Hull in 1854. The queen
is represented as seated in a chair of Greek form, and clothed in a robe of state,
with her feet resting on a footstool ornamented with lions heads and paws and
the waves of the sea. To the north of this statue is another, by the same sculptor,
of the late Prince Consort, erected by the inhabitants of Hull, at a cost of £1,000,
in 1868. The prince is in a standing position, and, like the queen, faces the east.
Both statues are of great merit. There is an ornamental bronze fountain,
presented in 1864 by Mr. H. J. Farmer-Atkinson, M.P., and a pillar of ironstone
weighing upwards of 19 tons, representing a pre-historic monument, presented by
Messrs. Bolchow, Vaughan, & Co. There are some interesting "ruins" formed
out of old architectural remains from Holy Trinity church, Hull, and an ancient
church at York. A spacious refreshment pavilion and an octagonal band stand
were erected in 1881. The bands of the Hull Police Force perform here in the
summer months. There is also a large stone fountain, from the basin of which
rises the massive figure of a mermaid. The principal entrance is through a
colossal iron gateway of magnificent design.
The West Park occupies an area of 31 acres, on the Anlaby Road, and is laid
out with great taste in drives, walks, flower beds, &c. This park was opened on
the 29th August, 1885, by Sir Albert Kaye Rollit, LL.D., M.P. There is an
ornamental lake and rockery, band stand, refreshment pavilion, &c.
The East Park covers an area of 52 acres, on the Holderness Road. In
addition to the lawns, shrubberies, and avenues of various kinds of trees, there is
a raised terrace and picturesque walks, a large ornamental lake with rustic bridge
and artificial rocks and mounds. The park is also supplied with conservatories,
refreshment pavilion, band stand, &c. There is also an old archway, removed
from High Street in 1890, and supposed by some to have belonged to the "Bishop
of Hull's palace," but this is more than doubtful. This park was opened on
the day of the Queen's Jubilee, 1887, by Mr. Alderman John Leak, the then
mayor.
The parks are all under the control of the Parks Committee of the Hull
Corporation, and form pleasing and picturesque places of recreation.
The Victoria Pier. - This pier is at the southern extremity of the town, in
front of Nelson Street. It was erected in 1847, in the form of the letter T, and
was re-constructed in 1881, when an upper deck or promenade was added, a new
river wall constructed, and Nelson Street widened and ornamented. In fine
weather this pier forms a delightful promenade and is most attractive, giving a
magnificent view of the broad estuary of the Humber, which is here some
two-and-a-half miles broad, and the sight of the shipping, the arrival and departure of
vessels to and from foreign ports, presenting a varied and agreeable scene. In
the foreground is moored the Humber Training Ship, the Southampton, on board
of which about 225 lads, from all parts of England, receive industrial and nautical
training. Visitors are allowed to visit the ship on all week-days between the
hours of 1-30 and 3-0 p.m. This ancient warship was erstwhile one of the
wooden walls of Old England. A modern ironclad - the Humber Guardship - is
to be seen farther down the river. A little to the west of the Victoria Pier, is the
Minerva Pier, mostly used for landing and shipping the cargoes of the steamers
plying on the river.
Cemeteries and Burial Grounds. - The Hull General Cemetery is on the Spring
Bank, and was established by a Joint Stock Company in 1847. The grounds,
which contain some 20 acres, are tastefully laid out, and are intersected by broad
gravelled carriage roads and footpaths. The Hull Corporation Cemeteries are on
the Spring Head Road (adjoining the general cemetery) and the Hedon Road, the
former covers 27½ acres of ground, and the latter 16 acres. Both are tastefully
laid out with shrubs and flowers, and possess a large number of handsome
monuments. At the Hedon Road Cemetery are two stone-faced chapels, in the
Gothic style, connected by a handsome tower and spire, with an archway
beneath. The other burial grounds besides the church-yards of the older churches
(all of which are now closed) are : - The Sculcoates Sacristy, opened as a parish
cemetery in 1818, and subsequently enlarged. Holy Trinity Burial Grounds, on
the Hessle Road (covering about three acres) and in Castle Street. The latter is
new closed. The Drypool and Southcoates Cemetery, on the Hedon Road, formed
in 1852, by the parishioners of Drypool. St. Mary's Burial Ground in Trippett,
Jews' Burial Ground, on the Hessle Road, both of which are now closed. The
present Jews' Burial Ground is at Marfleet, two-and-a-half miles from Hull, and
was opened in 1858.
Railway Stations. - The passenger terminus of the North-Eastern railway is
in Paragon Street. This station is one of the architectural features of the town,
and covers an area of two-and-a-half acres, being 123 feet long and 125 feet wide.
Its erection was commenced in 1847, and it has been subsequently enlarged.
Adjoining the station is the hotel, under the management of the railway company.
It measures 120 feet by 130 feet. The fronts of the station and the hotel are of
cut stone, and the whole is in the Italian style of architecture. The extensive
platforms of the station are covered with a light roof of glass and iron. The
principal entrance to the hotel is beneath a massive portico, and the entrance hall,
in the centre of the building, is a beautiful court, 60 feet square, finely arched
and covered with a roof of flat glass, beautifully ornamented. This company has
small stations on the Spring Bank, Beverley, and Holderness Roads, and at
Wilmington and Sculcoates. The goods station, in Railway Street, near the
Humber Dock, erected in 1858, on the site of the Hull and Selby Station, is one
of the largest in the kingdom.
The Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company have a booking
office in Nelson Street, near the Victoria Pier, in connection with their steam
ferry over the Humber to their land terminus at New Holland. This company's
ferry steamers run about every half-hour, conveying passengers across the river,
a distance of about three-and-a-half miles in 20 minutes. This company, as well
as the Midland, and Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Companies has running
powers over the North-Eastern Company's lines into Paragon Station.
The Hull, Barnsley, and West Riding Junction Railway and Docks Co. have
a line from Cudworth to Hull, connected with which is the magnificent Alexandra
Dock. This railway gives direct access to the South Yorkshire coalfields, and
through its junctions with the Midland, Lancashire and Yorkshire, and other
railway companies, with all the large centres of trade in South and West Yorkshire
Lancashire, Staffordshire, the Potteries, and Midland Counties. The chief
passenger station of this company is in Cannon Street, and is only a temporary
wooden erection. There is also a station on the Beverley Road, at the north end
of the town, and the Goods station is in Neptune Street.
Chambers, Associations, Monuments.
Hull Incorporated Chamber of Commerce and Shipping. - This important
institution has its office in Exchange Buildings, Bowlalley Lane. It was
established in 1838, when emulation, if not competition, was first beginning to manifest
itself in a keener form than hitherto. The necessity of mutual assistance had
become daily more apparent, and there was a tacit admission that competition, if
not kept within reasonable bounds, was liable to become dangerously speculative.
Hence the advantage of conference for mutual good between men following
kindred pursuits. From its foundation up to the present time, the chamber has
progressed with steady perseverance, and is now regarded as one of the most
important in the list of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in the kingdom.
The chamber was incorporated in 1874, for (1) The promotion of the trade and
commerce, the shipping and manufacture of the Port of Hull, and of the Home,
Colonial, and Foreign Trade of the United Kingdom generally. (2) The collection
and dissemination of statistical and other information relating to trade, commerce,
shipping, and manufactures. (3) The promoting, supporting, or opposing
legislature or other measures affecting the aforesaid interests. (4) The undertaking by
arbitration the settlement of disputes arising out of trade. (5) The doing of all
such other things as may be conducive or incidental to the above objects.
Most of the shipowners, merchants, bankers, &c., are members of this
chamber. The work is principally done by committees dealing with particular
trades: for instance, there are the shipping, timber, seed crushers, &c.,
committees. There are also, in connection with the chamber, an Association of Seed,
Oil, and Cake Merchants, and a Board of Concilliation, the latter consisting of 16
members, eight of whom representing capital and employers are elected from the
Chamber of Commerce, and eight by the Hull Trades and Labour Council. Sir
Albert Kaye Rollit, M.P., is the president, and Mr. Jos. Gregson the secretary of
the Hull Chamber of Commerce.
Hull Guardian Society for the Protection of Trade was established in 1827,
and is affiliated with the Associated Trade Protection Societies of the United
Kingdom. Its objects are to make private enquiries as to the respectability of
traders and others; to obtain by mutual co-operation the avoidance of bad debts;
to recover debts owing to members; to keep records of Bills of Sale, &c., and to
assist all measures for the improvement of trade. The office is in Deddington
Chambers, Bowlalley Lane, Mr. A. Mayfield is the president, Mr. Ald. J. Leak,
J.P., is the secretary and solicitor, and Mr. J. Wilcockson the manager.
The Hull and Grimsby Traders' Association for the Protection of the Timber,
Building, and Kindred Trades, at home and abroad, established 1891, has its
offices in Victoria Chambers, Bowlalley Lane, Mr. J. H. Scott being the general
manager. The objects of the association are similar to those of the Hull Guardian
Society, its special features being that its unique system for the registration of
information affecting the status of traders is confined to the timber and kindred
trades, and its subscribers are kept posted with information affecting the credit of
a person previously enquired upon.
Monuments. - The Wilberforce monument, near Whitefriargate Bridge, is an
imposing fluted Doric column standing on a square pedestal, and rising to a height
of 90 feet. This is surmounted by a statue of the Emancipation of Slaves
standing on a circular pedestal above the capital, making a total height of 102 feet.
Wilberforce is represented in senatorial robes, with a folded scroll in his hand.
The sides of the pedestal are ornamented with the arms of the town, the Dock
Company, the Trinity House, and the Wilberforce family, beneath which are
appropriate inscriptions of the object, time, and manner of its erection. The
first stone of this monument was laid on the 1st of August, 1834, the date of the
abolition of slavery in the colonies of the British Empire. The entire cost was
£1,250, which was defrayed by public subscription. This monument stands upon
historic ground, occupying the identical site upon which Charles I. and his
followers stood when they were refused admission into the town in 1642, Beverley
Gate, at which the king sought entrance, standing upon the site of the present
Whitefriargate Bridge.
The equestrian statue of King William III., in the Market Place, was erected,
by public subscription, in 1734, and cost £893 10s. This is said to be one of the
finest erections of its kind in the kingdom. The figure of the horse and its rider
are easy and graceful, and both are covered with gold leaf. It was designed and
executed by Scheemaker. Other statues in the Town Hall, the Parks, Infirmary,
Mechanics Institute, &c., are described under their respective headings.
Antiquities
Antiquities - Besides the church of the Holy Trinity - without doubt the
most interesting building in the town - and that of St. Mary, Hull possesses a few
objects of interest to the antiquarian. These are chiefly to be found in High
Street, the oldest thoroughfare in Hull, and in which, at a very early date, resided
the principal inhabitants of the town. Amongst the distinguished personages who
had mansions here in ancient times, were Sir Gilbert de Aton, in 1315; Sir Hugh
de Pickworth, Knight, in 1301; Richard de la Pole, and Robert Rotenheryng, in
1320. Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, had a house in this street, in 1408,
and the Archbishop of York had one in 1442. Wilberforce House is the most
interesting building in this street. It is a quaint Dutch-looking house, with a
coped wall in front, and a central gateway. In this house, King Charles I. was
entertained by Sir John Lister, in 1639, and William Wilberforce, the
philanthropist, was born here, in the room in which King Charles had slept, 1759. This
house is now used as offices. Opposite, is an old house with overhanging stories,
once occupied by an early quaker family named Sissons, who entertained in this
house the celebrated William Penn, for some time previous to his setting out to
found Pennsylvania. In this street are several other old houses, such as Crowles'
House, Etherington House, with its grand staircase, and the King's Head Inn.
The latter was at one time the principal hostelry in the town, and it is said kings
have lodged here when visiting Hull. It was at this house that Taylor, the water
poet, "took his ease," in 1622. The building is probably as old as the 14th
century. It is cross timbered, with overhanging stories. De la Pole House is
another interesting house standing on the site of the old mansion of the De la
Poles, and containing some of the curiously carved eaves and cornices from the
original building, the style of which has been preserved in the modern erection.
In Little Humber Street, near the end of High Street, is a curious old brick
passage leading to Blackfriargate, and known as Little Lane. This low, quaint
archway is of considerable interest to archæologists, for it is one of the oldest
structures in the town, and one of the earliest brick buildings in the kingdom.
This was the ancient entrance into Hull from the water side, and beneath this
arch passed the gorgeous throng of historical personages who visited Hull in
company with Henry VIII. in 1541. Crowles' Hospital, in Sewer Lane, is a
quaint old structure, its walls being three feet in thickness. It was built in 1088,
and in Dagger Lane there is a very fine specimen of ornamental brickwork, sadly
defaced by a coating of compo.
Next to Wilberforce House, however, the most interesting piece of antiquity
in Hull is Ye Whyte Harte, in Silver Street. This house was built in 1550, by
Thomas Allured, M.P., and was the residence of his grandson, John Allured, M.P.,
who was one of those who signed the death warrant of Charles I. Here also
resided Sir John Hotham and Mr. de la Champ, who was at the head of the
"town-taking" plot (see, under date 1688, supra). The house was thoroughly
restored some years ago, and the kitchens (now used as bars) have been thrown
into one, with an old massive oak staircase in the centre. The ancient fire-places
remain in a very perfect state. Upstairs is the magnificent old room known as
the "Plotting Chamber." The walls are pannelled throughout with oak, which
is now black with age. The mantel-piece is a very fine specimen of ancient
oak-carving. In Manor Alley, off Lowgate, is an old and somewhat unsightly
building, of four arches, said to have formed part of the stables of the once
stately Suffolk Palace. This mansion was erected in 1387, by Michael De la Pole,
Earl of Suffolk. Henry VIII. resided here in 1541. A few fragments of the
masonry which formed part of the stately palace are preserved in the museum of
the Literary and Philosophical Society, and a portion of one of the windows
stands in St. Mary's churchyard. Another interesting relic of antiquity is the
old Grammar School, on South Church side (see "Grammar School ").
Data transcribed from:
Baines Gazetteer 1823
Scan, OCR and html software by Colin Hinson.
Checking and correction by Richard Tetley.
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