Not many years have elapsed since the site of this Hotel formed part of one of the most picturesque scenes on the banks of the Mersey. A lawn, extending from the riverside to the front of an antique mansion, situated on the most elevated part of the grounds, was studded with majestic trees, of some centuries standing, and carpeted with a turf whose verdure might vie with that of the " emerald hilt." Across this lawn a winding footpath conducted the traveller to the ruins of the ancient Priory of Birkenhead, the chapel of which still remains entire—and the whole demesne was secured from the encroachment of the tide by a natural barrier of rock, over-hung by copse-wood. Altogether it formed a scene of rural beauty not often surpassed; and peculiarly pleasing to the eye of the returning mariner, to whom green fields and luxuriant foliage present a delightful contrast to the unvarying monotony of the ocean. The alterations (we do not call them improvements) which have recently been made, in consequence principally of the establishment of steam-packets to and from LIVERPOOL,
The Hotel, of which a view is given in the plate, is a recent erection, and, without exception, the most complete and commodious one on the banks of the river. It contains all the usual accommodations of sea-bathing establishments, as hot and cold water baths, &c. and has extensive grounds surrounded with numerous alcoves, commanding a good view of the river and town. The Quay adjoining is extremely convenient for the landing and embarking of passengers, carriages, and cattle, at all times of the tide. From the upper windows of the Hotel the prospects in every direction arc peculiarly interesting. Southward, the river Mersey expands to the width of five or six miles, and being then suddenly bent in an easterly direction, appears rather like an extensive inland lake, than a salt-water stream—while immediately opposite to the Inn, are the South Docks, with their forests of masts, and a foreground varied by the arrival and departure of a never-ending succession of vessels of all sizes, from the portly Indiaman to the diminutive wherry. Though situated in a different county, Birkenhead, with the adjacent country, may. justly be considered as one of the suburbs to LIVERPOOL; and if the rage for building proceed as it has begun, no long time will elapse before the Cheshire shore will have become as much a portion of the town as Southwark is of London. Already the rudiments of a great manufacturing district are visible in the neighbourhood of Wallasey Pool ; and should the schemes now in progress be carried into full execution, a New Liverpool will speedily spring into existence, and threaten to rival the " good old town."
Last edited by Mark; 30th Apr 20121:34pm. Reason: renamed
THE BLACK-ROCK FORT AND LIGHTHOUSE, LIVERPOOL. Is this Perch Rock fort
Black-Rock Fort, standing on the Rock-point, presents not only an excellent structure of defence to the port and town of LIVERPOOL, but is likewise a most pleasing and interesting object at the entrance of the river. It is built in the form of a trapezoid, covering a surface of between three and four thousand square yards. At each of the angles nearest to the main land is a circular tower, flanking the rear front. The external wall varies in height, partly owing to the general irregularity of the rock's surface. The west, or principal front, mounting six thirty-two pounders, exceeds two hundred feet in length, and is front twenty-five to twenty-seven feet high. The front between the north-west and northeast angles is upwards of one hundred and fifty feet long, and from twenty-nine to thirty-one feet high, and mounts four guns. The fourth side, fronting the main land, is well flanked by the two towers above mentioned, and has an escarp, varying from thirty-one to thirty-three feet in height. This front is occupied with barracks. The exterior wall of the barracks discovers twelve loop-holes for musketry, to fire upon the approach to the fort, which leads through a handsome gate-way of the Tuscan order. The entrance is by a stone bridge of three arches, connected with a wooden drawbridge. A large bomb-proof magazine, capable of containing many hundred barrels of powder, is built in the middle of the fort. This military structure was erected from the design and under the direction of Captain Kitson, of the Royal Engineers. Beyond the battery stands the Lighthouse, erected by the Corporation of LIVERPOOL, at an expense of about £35,000. This admirable specimen of Mr. Foster's architectural skill rises to the height of ninety feet above the level of the rock, and is surmounted by a lantern, which, throwing its light to a great distance out at sea, affords considerable security to inward-bound vessels. The diameter of the building, at the base, is thirty-five feet, diminishing upwards to the lantern. The masonry is perfectly solid to the height of thirty-two feet ; then commences a spiral staircase, communicating with the room appropriated to the use of the men who superintend the building.
another pic ENTRANCE TO THE TUNNEL OF THE LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER RAIL-WAY, EDGE HILL. This magnificent undertaking, the greatest of its kind hitherto attempted in this or any other country. This gives us an inkling how our rail tunnels were made
These are lovely pictures Derek. The first picture I have seen before somewhere, I think it was a book called Mersey Ferries Vol 1 or (Vol 2) by T B Maund.
Very hard to believe how the obvious picturesque landsacape of years gone by, has completely gone. This is tragic, as it happens everywhere and once gone, never returns. The architects of today have no vision, only for mega dollars and whilst we need business, housing and hotels there is no beauty or harmony(in my opinion) to any of these developements, which now ooze from any available patch of earth. Just a continuos expantion of what becomes a high rise concrete jungle. Certainly not condusive to family life anymore.
Shall get off my hobby horse now.....sorry!
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. ~Chief Seattle
Where I marked Chester Hotel, I meant the Royal Castle
I think the one you've marked as the Chester Hotel/Royal Castle is actually the Birkenhead Hotel; Tranmere Ferry wouldn't have been visible from where the artist was standing. The building you've marked as the Birkenhead Hotel is probably the large house marked on maps of 1824, 1835 and 1843 situated on Church Street close to St Mary's and identified as "Mr Grindrod's"
I've judged it to be there by the church spire in the background of the 1st picture. This may be Birkenhead Ferry rather than Tranmere Ferry A map of a later date may solve it
The first map below is Bennison's 1835 survey and shows the relative positions of St Mary's Church (1), Mr Grindrod's house (2), the Birkenhead Hotel (3) and the Tranmere Ferry Hotel (4) as they would have appeared from the Liverpool waterfront. The second map is somewhat clearer, showing the same buildings in 1858, after Laird's had moved to their new yard at Monk's Ferry. Grindrod's house was situated in the SW corner of Laird's yard, and was used as the company's offices until the yard later expanded southwards, taking in the grounds of the Birkenhead Hotel, and new offices were built.
The building that preceded the current one went under a variety of names during the 19th century; Tranmere Ferry Hotel, Royal Ferry Hotel, Tranmere Castle Hotel, and Royal Castle Hotel amongst them. As I explained here the old building was demolished in 1899 after the current one had been built alongside it. There is some evidence that the previous Hotel was built in 1814 as "The New Hall, Tranmere Ferry" and replaced an earlier Ferry Hotel that was situated closer to the Ferry, but I'm still working on researching this.
Thanks for the maps, Marty. The 1858 one is interesting in that it shows Monks' Ferry station(1844)and the original Grange Lane station,(closed 1844)now shown as workshops. It's interesting that it names them as "Cheshire Junction Railway", which was a very short-lived title as in 1860 it became part of the LNWR and GWR Joint Railway.
The 1858 map is by Mills & Fletcher - the photocopy I have came from Central Reference Library about 20 years ago, but I think they still have the original, so should be able to get you a copy; Wirral Archives have a photocopy that could be copied, but the quality probably wouldn't be great.
There is a map from the same year by Edward Howell - the original of this one is at the Archives, and they could certainly do you a copy of that one.
The 1835 Bennison map of Liverpool is divided into four large sheets, and is held by Liverpool Record Office. The bottom edge of the map shows details of the Wirral coastline along the Mersey, and is important as it's the only map of Birkenhead that we have from that decade. The staff were quite happy to photocopy the Wirral bits for me a few years ago, but it had to be done as four A3 sections to get it all in.
