Old Images of Fleetwood, Lancashire

Historic Book

Extract from “J. H.’s Guide to Blackpool & Fleetwood“, by John Heywood

Published in 1869

Pages 28-31

“FLEETWOOD is a town of modern growth , and is a fine
example of what can be accomplished by well – directed
talent and enterprise . Not very many years ago the
ground whereon it stands was a barren and unattractive
spot , seldom trodden by human foot . The rabbits and
sea – birds might , in a sense , be said to hold undisputed
sovereignty over it ; the screaming of the latter , and the
moaning of the waves as they laved its muddy shores ,
being varied only by the din of storm and tempest , the
lightning’s vivid flash , and the roar of heaven’s artillery .
Thanks to the indomitable enterprise of the late Sir
Peter Hesketh Fleetwood , Bart . , a thorough transforma
tion has been effected ; and now we have a town and
port of respectable size and great commercial importance .

The position of the place was such as to guarantee
undoubted facilities for the establishment of a port , and
the cultivation of an extensive export and import trade .

Sir Peter , who was the owner of the soil , was the first to
suggest the desirability of connecting Fleetwood with the
great centres of industry by means of a railway ; and in
1835 parliament granted the necessary powers for the
formation of a line , and five years later it was opened for
traffic .

The result was that port charges and harbour
dues over Liverpool were saved , and ready communication
obtained with the busy marts of Lancashire and Yorkshire .

Collaterally with the construction of the railway , hotels ,
houses , and shops were built , thoroughfares formed , and
a pier and landing – stage constructed . The harbour had

also undergone improvement : it was deepened , provided
with beacons , and well lighted .

Fleetwood has at the present time a population of
about 6,000 , who depend largely upon the North Irish
trade , five steamers running daily between the port and
Belfast . It has also a fair coasting trade .

The harbour
was laid out under Captain Denman , R. N. , formerly

marine surveyor of Liverpool . The entrance is safe and
easy — it is nearly straight ; and two miles from the
harbour there is at least 28 fathoms of water . Vessels
drawing 21 feet can float at their moorings in the harbour
at low water ; and the improvements which are now
taking place will , when completed , it is confidently
anticipated , greatly enhance the character of the port , and
bring to Fleetwood many cotton and timber – laden vessels
which now go to Liverpool .

On the 2nd of June , 1869 ,
the first sod for the construction of new docks was cut ,
and the occasion was made one of great rejoicing ;
indeed , Fleetwood never before wore so gay an appearance ;
nor was the air , at any previous holiday , made to
reverberate with so many huzzas and joyous sounds .
The anticipations which were formed concerning this
port , when , so late as 1836 , it was a mere rabbit warren ,
have not yet been realised , and one of the main causes of
this has , it is supposed , been a want of good dock
accommodation . In 1864 a scheme was projected for the
formation of docks , an embankment , and other works ,
and also with the view of reclaiming certain lands covered
by water . This scheme met with support from the
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company , and it was
embodied in a bill , which received the sanction of
Parliament . A prospectus was subsequently issued for
an undertaking requiring a capital of £ 300,000 , in £ 20
shares . But the trustees of the Fleetwood estate , who

were co – promoters of the bill , afterwards thought it
advisable that the expenditure should be such that
they might carry out the contemplated works at
their own expense . New plans were drawn ; the Lanca
shire and Yorkshire Railway Company surrendering their
powers , and promising to co – operate with the trustees .
The new plans , in accordance with which the docks will
be formed , reduce the expenditure to about £ 50,000 .
The docks will be 600 feet long and 400 feet wide . The
excavations will be only 16 feet , by which 23 feet of
water will be obtained from the dock sill at high water

with an ordinary spring tide . The engineer is Mr. Cox ,
of London ; and the contractor , Mr. Chambers , also of
London .

Above the point where the docks will be formed ,
considerable improvements , by embanking , have been
made . About 100 acres of Kirkscar Bay have been
reclaimed , and it is believed that in time more waste
land will be secured for cultivation .

Fleetwood is distant ten miles from Blackpool : the
estuary of the River Wye flows past it ; and it is the
terrinus of the Preston and Wyre Railway ; and it will
be readily inferred from what we have already stated ,
that to the establishment of the railway , and its
alaptability as a port for steam traffic , its present
importance is mainly due .

The town contains a few excellent hotels , houses of
stone , and other buildings , nearly all of which overlook
the river and bay , and present a prepossessing appearance .

The promenade is of ample proportions , and is a favourite
resort of visitors in the summer months .

The town is
situated on a dry , sandy soil ; and the surrounding
scenery , if not gorgeous , is such as to present a coup d’oeil
of much beauty ; and those who are fond of yachting or
riding may meet with ample means of gratifying their
predilections .

The disciples of Izaak Walton , too , may
indulge their taste for piscatorial sports , and though not
quite in the same way as their master did , nor surrounded
by the sights and sounds which so increased his felicity ,
they may , nevertheless , meet with most gratifying sport .

Fleetwood is tolerably well provided with places of
worship . The church of St. Peter , which is built of stone ,
was opened in 1841 , and is capable of accommodating
450 persons . In addition , there is a Roman Catholic
church , and Wesleyan , Primitive Methodist , and Inde
pendent chapels .

In West Street are the Testimonial Schools , which
derive their name from the circumstance of their having
been built by subscription as a testimonial to the founder
of the port . They are under Government inspection , and

are capable of affording accommodation or the education
of upwards of 800 children .

A Government School of
Musketry has been established in the port , at which 60
officers are stationed , and connected with which are a
commodious barracks , and an excellent ground for rifle
practice .

A favourite resort of visitors is ” The Mount , ” on which
is an intersecting Chinese roofed structure , octagonal
in form , at which refreshments may be obtained , suited
to a variety of tastes . From this spot a commanding
view is obtained of the surrounding prospect , including
the harbour , and the craft gliding upon the boson of the
distant sea .

There is a Tea Garden about a mile from Fleetwood , on
the Blackpool Road , at which , as its title indicates , visitors
may be served with the beverage which cheers , but not
inebriates , and also , during their season , with strawberries .

Attached to the gardens is , what we suppose , we must
term an exhibition of Zoological specimens , consisting
principally of monkeys ; and also a bowling – green .

From Fleetwood many pleasant excursions may be
made . A steamer runs daily to Peel , whence parties may
proceed to the Lake District . The railway conveys pas
sengers to Furness Abbey and Coniston . A visit to the
fine old Abbey at Furness is worth making by those who
have a liking for the sublime ; the building being grand ,
even in its desolation . To Furness and back is a very
pleasant day’s journey . The steamer returns at an hour ,
which allows ample time for an inspection of the Abbey
and the surrounding scenery .