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Alfred Dock Disaster, 1920 bert1 Yesterday at 03:37 PM Liverpool Journal of Commerce - Monday 07 June 1920
BIRKENHEAD DOCK DISASTER.
MANY CRAFT SUNK THROUGH BURSTING OF DOCK GATES.
An extraordinary disaster occurred in Alfred Dock, Birkenhead, on Saturday at the time of mid-day tide. The steamer Countess, outward, light, entering the thirty feet lock, struck the gates, causing them to burst open. The water in the dock being fifteen feet above that of the river caused a huge outrush of water, which carried the Countess and several barges out into the river. The number of barges involved is believed to be sixteen, fifteen of which have been identified, four of them in pieces.
The steamer, which was holed, was taken in tow and placed on Tranmere Beach, as also were the flats Obadiah, Ida, Edward Wheatley, James Wilson and Pirate. The following are amongst those sunk - Sunshine, Rufford, W. S. Patterson (loaded wheat], America, Francis, Annie, Cedron and Vernon[sic]. With regard to the steamers in dock, it is reported all kept afloat, and no damage is anticipated in this respect. Although it is believed there is no loss of life, the authorities are assaying to trace the identity of occupants of the many craft capsized by the tremendous avalanche of water.
An eye-witness described the rush of water into the river, following the bursting of the lock-gate, as a 20 feet high avalanche, which I carried everything before it. A survivor stated that the first moments of the disaster were agonising. Tiny boats and dozens of men were tossing on the crest of the Niagara, and plunged into a regular whirlpool beneath. The crews of the boats were powerless to move, and hung on to the sides of their craft while being swept along at a terrific rate by the force of the onrushing water.

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Looking For Info On Stone Water Fountain Erainn 20th May 2025 1:03pm Does anyone have information about the stone-face water fountain on Poulton Hall Road?

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Phoenix Bungalows bert1 17th May 2025 10:23am In 1945 the first of the Phoenix Bungalows (Pre-Fabs) appeared, designed by Yorkshireman Mr Jack W Gibson, Civil Engineer, who also helped build the Mulberry Port, (D-Day)

They were designated for bombed out families and returning ex servicemen, they cost £700 each and the first were placed on the land heavily bombed between Park Station and Price Street. The site was expected to hold 60 to 80 bungalows and Birkenhead expected to have about 300 in total.

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Brackenwood Lane Longnails 15th May 2025 11:25am On Tuesday evening the 13th of May, my family and I were driving past Brackenwood Lane and there were 6/7 Police cars and a Police van; I wonder what was going on there!

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Birkett Scheme. bert1 8th May 2025 7:25am In 1917 the government had plans to lay down another 3 million acres to corn. The Wirral Wartime Agricultural sub committee realised 2,000 acres had diminished productivity along the course of the River Birkett due to weeds, rush grass and silt. It fell in to this state because private landowners had never done anything about it. The committee applied to the government for German prisoners of war to do the clearing of the Birkett. The government obliged and about 140 prisoners were sent, the majority had been captured at Vimy Ridge. Initially they were going to be kept in huts at Moreton, the Army having looked around decided to billet them at Leasowe Castle.

Work started near to Bidston Station and the prisoners wore their own uniforms, on the front left trouser leg and the back right trouser leg red patches were sewn, overcoats were provided by the government and had a blue patch sewn on the back. They were guarded by 8 armed British soldiers. They were kept in order by their own NCO's. No trouble was reported and they cleared about 150 yards a day.

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70% houses damaged bert1 5th May 2025 2:10pm Liverpool Echo,

New facts now disclosed, 1944.

Up to 1944 £600,000 spent on repairs to moderately damaged houses and still a large number of houses beyond first aid repairs.

In 1939 Birkenhead had 37,727 houses, flats and shops, 2,079 demolished by enemy action and over 26,000 damaged.
25,000 have received first aid repairs. These do not include properties that have suffered broken windows.
It is estimated 1,000,000 square feet of glass has been used since November 1941.

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Wartime Scouts. bert1 2nd May 2025 3:11pm During WW2 my Grandmother had six sons serving in the Army, one being my Father. She gave an interview to the Liverpool Evening Express in 1940 and they reported she had six sons in the army and a Boy Scout. Many mothers had six sons serving and perhaps we should have asked them what stress was like.
I wondered why the Express thought it was significant to mention a son in the boy scouts, it was because of their national war service.

Scouting on the Home Front: They were prepared | Scouts
https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/...ng-on-the-home-front-they-were-prepared/

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Bedford Park Athletic Grounds bert1 13th Apr 2025 7:34am Also known as the Rock Ferry Athletic grounds, situated behind the Bedford Hotel, Bedford Rd, owned by Mr Luke Lee. It appears sports that took place on the grounds were Athletics, Cycle races and there's a newspaper snippet reporting the score between Rock Ferry and Blackburn Rovers res football teams. There also appears to be a dark side to the grounds which may have cost its demise, Rabbit coursing with dogs and Pigeon shooting. Looking in to more and contributions welcome.

https://www.oldmapsonline.org/en/Li...6.4189/53.372909/-3.010135&year=1898

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Old War Memorial Egroment Tranquil 9th Apr 2025 11:54am Does anyone know if there was ever another war memorial along the front, with a cannon and 2 soldiers? around 1951.

Thanks

Mark

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Dangers of Laudanum bert1 6th Apr 2025 9:33am The newspapers billed it as Considerable excitement in Birkenhead over a murdered baby. The more I looked into it the more it shows a bias and the injustice of the legal system at that time and also putting profit before health.

The story has to begin with the marriage of James Drinkwater, widower and Cabinet Maker in Market St Birkenhead and Jane Scott, spinster, who married in Liverpool, 1846.
Their first born was Mary, 1847, Birkenhead. Around April, 1847, James Drinkwater had to hire a Wet Nurse. A Wet Nurse is a woman who had recently given birth and was capable of breast feeding another child not of her own. It's likely Jane had difficulties feeding Mary for a time.

James Drinkwater hired the services of Grace Deays, a young Scottish girl who had an illegitimate baby, Margaret, born, 31st March, 1847. For whatever reason Graces employment in the Drinkwater household was coming to an end. Grace Deays applied to the workhouse for admittance and was refused, she then applied to the parish for relief and money was raised to send her back to Scotland. The night before she was due to travel across to Liverpool and on to Scotland, James Drinkwater allowed her to stay the night in his kitchen at his address at Mortimer Terrace.

During Grace's last day in Birkenhead baby Margaret was in some distress and crying uncontrollably and Grace was worried this would upset the Drinkwater household and was in fear of being thrown out of the household and having no where to stay that evening. Grace had heard that some women gave their babies Laudanum which helped quieten them. She went to the local Druggist and Chemist Thomas Symes Warry of Hamilton St and bought 120 drops of Laudanum.

In the early hours of the following morning Mr Drinkwater found baby Margaret in a very distressed condition, clenched fisted, limp and rolling eyes. He immediately sent for Mr Edger, surgeon, who suspected the baby had been given some sort of narcotic, the baby died and Police Inspector McNeill was sent for. Inspector McNeill found an empty bottle with Poison written on it in the fire. Questioning Grace Deays, Grace owned up to giving baby Margaret the laudanum but only to quieten her down not to harm her in anyway. She was arrested by Inspector McNeill.

At the inquest a statement by Druggist and Chemist, Thomas Symes Warry stated he sold the Laudanum to Grace Deays and told her of the dangers and had given her full instructions how to use it.
The inquest jury found Grace Deays guilty of the Wilful Murder of Margaret Deays.

A later trial at Chester, the prosecution was represented by Mr Townsend and Mr Yardley, Grace Deays was UNDEFENDED. In an opening statement by Mr Townsend to the jury was if the jury didn't find the defendant guilty of murder then they must find her guilty of Manslaughter on the grounds of neglect.
The Judge intervened and would have none of it, he instructed the jury only to consider whether the laudanum was given to harm baby Margaret and end her life, if not and it was given and no harm was meant, they must find her not guilty.
Grace Deays was Acquitted

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