Interesting Dover items …. From the old newspapers
and other records
Dover Harbour
Complaints re imports into Dover:
Many complaints having been made by the tradespeople of this port (Dover) against the intrusion of French bread, flour, beef, pork and other provisions, brought in the passage vessels from France, and which has of late prevailed to such an extent as to be particularly injurious to the trade in general. Strict orders have been issued at the Customs House to seize all articles of this description as they are prohibited, to be imported.
We notice in our paper of the 22nd ult that a considerable quantity of tea had been seized on board the French vessel “Charles”. Since which the best vigilance has been exerted to prevent this illicit importation of this commodity, with such good effect that the Licensed Tea Dealers have very considerably increased their sale as is fully proved by their returns to the Excise office.
(Cinque Ports Herald 26 Feb 1826 p.3 col.3)
"Tartar" Cutter :
"On 29 ultimo was seized in Grainthorpe Haven in the county of Lincoln, by Mr RICHARDSON, Officer of Excise, at Saltfleet, and Messrs SANDERSON and WARD, Custom House Officers, a new cutter called the "Tartar" of Dover, with 200 half ankers of foreign geneva and brandy on board which were safely conveyed to Boston the Thursday following."
( Kentish Gazette 23-26 Feb 1788 back page col.3)
Importation of French Leather: "the Cordwainers residing in Dovor having been for a considerable time much injured in their trade, by the daily importation of French leather, boots and shoes, without payment of the duty did, a short time since, petition the House of Commons thereon, and the petitioners have since received the advice and support of both the Members for their Port; and on Wednesday last a numerous meeting of the trade took place, when it was determined to take immediate measures against those who have been guilty of the illicit practice." (Kentish Gazette 13 April 1821 - “local news”)
Robert STICKELLS (died 1620) Appearing to be a mason by trade, the surviving records show him to have been acting as an architect, clerk of works and naval engineer. In the 1580s he was one of the “masters of the work” then in progress at Dover Harbour, his main task being raising rocks by barrel and chains and floating them to a jetty in the process of construction. Stow’s “Chronicle” records that in 1595, “master Stickells the excellent architect of our time” constructed a small pinnace that could be taken to pieces and reassembled. This was launched in Tower dock “but there came no good of it.”
In 1595 the Earl of Derby recommended Stickells as a candidate for the Surveyorship of the Queen’s Works. In fact he had to make do with a subordinate clerkship of the works, which he held from 1597-8 until his death. From 1598-9 he was stationed at Richmond, where in 1605-6 he designed a new lodge in the park of which survive drawings. He died in May 1620. In his will be describes himself as “a citizen and freemason of London” living in the parish of St Olave, Southwark.” (from “A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 by Howard Colvin)
LIFE BOAT STATION:
The Dover Humane Society are building a house for the joint purpose of being a station for their Life Boat and apparatus, as well as a receiving house, which is erecting in the Bay near the York Hotel, a most eligible site” (Kentish Gazette 22 Jan 1839 p.4 col.4)
Busy Promenade on regatta day
SALES of WINES and BRANDIES
To be sold by auction,
On Thursday 20 instant at the Dover Castle Inn, in Dover, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon, for the payment of salvage and expenses and by permission of the Hon. The Commissioners of the Customs, either for home consumption (on payment of the import duties) or for exportation at the option of the purchasers
252 casks of wine of various sizes and qualities and 2 large casks of spirits of Brandy saved from the cargo of the Brig “Marie Anne”, Captain J.C.Domstricht, wrecked near Dungeness 29 Nov last on a voyage from Cette, bound to Harvre de Grace.
Samples may be tasted and catalogues had on application to Messrs. FECTOR & Co., two days previous to the sale.”
DOVER HUMANE AND SHIPWRECK INSTITUTION - proposal for lifeboat house: “since the establishment of the institution in September last rewards had been given for the rescue of eight persons from the water whose lives, with one exception, had been preserved …. The lifeboat was confided to a committee of the Fellowship of Pilots who had kindly undertaken to test her qualities. … It was also proposed that a permanent boat station should be provided. … Application made to the Harbour Board for leave to erect a practicable boathouse adjoining that of the Customs, the expense for which was estimated at about £55……. A reward of one sovereign was given to William Johnson, master of a fishing smack for jumping into the water and saving the life of a boy …” (Dover Telegraph September 15, 1838 page 8 column 2)
CAPTURED by CUSTOMS: “Capt Watts of His Majesty’s sloop Osprey yesterday sent into this port a lugger with about 400 half ankers of spirits being the third lugger the Osprey has captured within a short time – another lugger, with upwards of 800 half ankers is likewise sent into this port by Capt Benjamin Worthington of the Tartar Custom House cutter which he captured after a chase of 24 hours.”
(Kentish Gazette, September 4th 1798, page 4, column 4, under Dover)
HARBOUR: One of Her Majesty’s Surveying Vessels has been off this harbour today putting down buoys and flags near the mouth, but at present we have not heard the particular object in view.”
"Thurs 26 July 1798 Revd Mr Lyon called on me this afternoon and brought me some plans of the ancient Harbour at Dover, first about the year 1533, tempo. Henry 8th when the work was begun with stones and timber to run out ---- rods into the sea to break off the force of the S.W. wind but the expence was so great it was never finished, this work is what we now call the mole rocks just seen from the Pier head at low water. I drew the first plan this afternoon.
Fri 27 July 1798 this afternoon began the second plan of the harbour but had not time to finish it.
Sat 28 July 1798 Finished the second plan of the harbour.
