Stoneferry has historically been an area of great importance and its history can be traced back to the at least the 16th Century. As a point of transhipment and a crossing point over the river Hull its historical importance has been overshadowed by its relatively recent decline into industrial wasteland and urban growth. As an important crossing point it will have had an alehouse of some sort since its earliest days.

The Quarter Sessions files held in the local archives record that in 1719 Thomas Wheldale of Stoneferry was indicted for “keeping a common alehouse without a licence at Stoneferry”, which was probably the Ship Inn. In 1751 John Bodle, a yeoman (1), of Stoneferry was indicted for “selling ale without a licence” at Stoneferry and in 1782 James Waudby of Stone Ferry parish Sutton, was also convicted of “selling ale without a licence”. These are the earliest known references to drinking in the area known as Stoneferry and Mr Wheldale is possibly the earliest known victualler.

Blue Ball, Newland Clough

See Clough Inn.

Clough Inn, Clough Road

The Blue Ball was an alehouse of extremely long standing and as such warrants research beyond the easily accessible records such as trade directories, licensing records and census returns. However, from the scant information that is readily available, a picture of the building - albeit somewhat hazy - can be formed.

It was situated in the most south-eastern point of the parish of Cottingham, next to the west bank of the river Hull; however its association with Stoneferry was just as strong as that with Cottingham. It appears in trade directories with its address listed variously as “Hull Bank”, “Newland Clough” and even as “Stoneferry”. Its site was one chosen by many early inns and taverns, alongside a ferry or bridge. A ferry had been situated at this point since the 13th Century. (2) Travellers, either using or awaiting the ferry, would always have welcomed a drink and shelter from the elements.

The Blue Ball Inn

A drawing of “the inn at Stoneferry near Hull” exists [what date?] in the topographical image collection of the Wilberforce House Museum, which is generally believed to be the Blue Ball. It shows what appears to be an inn sign in the shape of a ball hanging from a typical gallowsstyle post from the building. If this genuinely was the Blue Ball, then it would appear that the building was of the 17th Century or earlier and probably thatch over “mud and stud”. The first large-scale plan of the area surveyed in 1889 by the Ordnance Survey suggests the building [if it had survived and was not rebuilt at some point?] was 31 feet along its Clough Road elevation and less than 7 feet deep at its narrowest point.

It is likely that the building shown in the drawing had an extension to the west not shown in the drawing, which was made from a north-east perspective. The main (original) building in the drawing being only 15 feet square. Writing c.1953 local pub historian John Wilson Smith relates that due to a poor illustration that hung outside the inn, it was known locally as the “Blue Dumpling” more often than the Blue Ball. If true, the locals could also have been referring to the ball shown in the drawing.

In 1845 new waterworks to serve the people of Hull were built just to the north of the Blue Ball. This would no doubt have provided good trade, as the complex of buildings included public baths as well as offices and works buildings, and the entrance ran directly alongside the pub. Historian James Sheahan, writing in 1866 noted that the baths had 22,000 visitors in their first year. (3)

In 1881 the victualler of the Blue Ball was noted in the Census of that year to have been an engineer as well as a publican, and was most probably employed at the waterworks. From c.1885 the Blue Ball became known as the Clough Inn for reasons unknown, possibly a change in landlord. It was situated just north of the Newland Clough, a sluice entrance to the dike or beck that ran from the River Hull to the Newland and Cottingham to the west. A footbridge over the clough was located just south of the pub.

In 1893 the waterworks closed and in 1904 a bridge was built to replace the impractical ferry. These two events were nails in the coffin for the Clough Inn, which was demolished late in 1904 to provide space for the associated buildings (probably the powerhouse) of the new bridge. It was last listed in a trade directory of 1904, which was compiled in February of that year. The minutes of the Kingston upon Hull Urban Sanitary Works Committee of the 28th October 1904 noted: -

“… it was also a condition that the vendors, who are also the Corporation’s tenants of the “Clough Inn”, Stoneferry, should give vacant possession to the Corporation on the 25th November, it being advantageous to the Corporation to have possession of the “Clough Inn” for the works of the Stoneferry Bridge.” (4)

The Clough Inn was not listed in the following trade directory, compiled by February 1905. There is little in our region to use by way of an example of the building style of the Clough Inn, which was to all intents a pre-enclosure farm building. However, some similar buildings do survive in Lowgate Sutton, and are worth seeking out.

Ferry House Inn

See Grapes Hotel

Grapes Hotel, Ferry Lane

“To let, all that good accustomed inn, with ferry attached and a garden and orchard containing about an acre of ground well stocked with fruit trees, pleasantly situated at Stone Ferry, near Hull, and in the occupation of William Bell”.
Hull Advertiser 27th March 1819.

This short advertisement gives a brief but concise description of the inn, which had stood at the eastern side of the old stone ferry for many, many years prior to the advertisement. It is almost impossible to state exactly how long, as the ferry may have moved several times from its original position, as the course of the river gradually changed over the years. Historian Blashill had noted that the ferry moved downstream as late as c.1836.5 An earlier ferry was near the end of Ann Watson Street (see Ship Inn).

As stated earlier, where there was a ferry, there was generally an inn of some sort; often converted from the ferry-man’s home, or ferry-house. Thus the inn at the eastern side of the Stone-Ferry was often recorded as the “Ferry House Inn” or similar. As an inn it had an inn-sign; a bunch of grapes, and as often happened, an inn with grapes hung outside was often referred to as “The Grapes”. References in the trade directories refer to the Grapes by both names throughout the 19th Century.

The orchard, mentioned in the sale notice, is shown on the earlier Ordnance Survey made in 1852. It was to the east of the inn and Ferry Lane, the river, and a culvert, whose source was the Hantom Drain to the north, defined its boundaries. Local pubs historian John Wilson Smith, writing c.1953, said of the inn: -

“It was the natural sequel the new ferry should have its own inn, so the Ferryman’s Cottage on the Holderness side was licensed as The Grapes. The original inn sign, a gilded bunch of the fruit lasted till the 20th Century [no grapes are visible on the c.1900 photograph]. The structure of this inn was only slightly larger than the old Ship, aforementioned, and was a usual red brick cottage of the period.

The Grapes Inn was demolished and in its place arose a new and larger tavern, dignified with the name of the Grapes Hotel. This now stands, a tall imposing structure, on the riverbank. It is of two stories with attics, and is surmounted by a turret, carrying a somewhat blatant sign of Bass’s Ales. The Grapes was the last of the Victorians to be built in Holderness. It has a 30 yards frontage to Ferry Lane, and a 15 yards depth along the riverside, while there is a spacious yard at the rear. Unfortunately the muddy sloping bank at this particular spot has not been piled and cam-sheeted like the rest of the adjoining river front so that it appears desolate and unkempt. The fabric of the tavern is good Victorian red brick, with facing and corners of cut white stone. The ground floor has been lavishly faced with green glazed tiles in ornamental style. The effect of the latter may have been bright and gaudy when new, but now that grime and smoke have taken their toll they only appear dingy and depressing.

The Grapes has a lounge facing the muddy riverbank, while the front is a smoke room, a billiard room and a large bar. Two steps lead to the entrance. The present landlord is Norman Cooper Kippax, a young man who had not been long here. He had no knowledge of, or interest in, the history of his charge. No one, so far as he knew, had ever stayed as a visitor at the Hotel, though there was ample room space. I was served by a comely bar maid, who was a bright spot, for the bar was desolate, deserted and dusty. From an old friend, John Hotham, a former landlord, I got some useful information, including the fact that this tavern was once the headquarters of the Kingston Rowing Club, which brought some distinction and much business to the house when it was newly built. It was, too, the rendezvous of fishermen, who here obtained their tickets for Angling on the river.

The Grapes is now the property of Messrs. Bass, and is administered by Messrs. Henry Wilson & Son, Ltd., of Savile House Hull. It had previously been owned by William Wheatley, a well known Hull bottler and wine merchant of last century”.

The old Ferry House building, which had stood for a hundred years or more, was demolished late in 1903 to be replaced by a new building to the grand designs of Hull architect Thomas Beecroft Atkinson in 1904. It was last listed as the Ferry House Inn in a trade directory of 1903 (compiled before March 1903). [Was it definitely rebuilt in 1904? – see plans dated 1907 by Runton & Barry – DPM/29/170]

Although strictly Edwardian, as Wilson Smith suggested it was very much Victorian in its design. The “blatant sign(s) of Bass Ales”, located in the turret, hid what was originally a clock face, shown in earlier photographs on all elevations of the turret. The other advertisements were painted on the east face and on boards along the river-side elevation. Most of these had been in-situ since the building was constructed. A later 1950s photograph shows that a detail on the top of the tower had at some point been lost, possibly during the Second World War. Despite, or more likely because of, the protests of conservationists, the Grapes was bull-dozed earlier than originally stated, following its closure on 28th July 1986.

I have personal memories of the Grapes from the late 1970s when I played snooker and watched local groups play at the pub. It was a bit dark but was full of character and many original features, which would have local conservationists and C.A.M.R.A. members weeping into their beer.

Not enough was done at the time to save the Grapes, the council lending even less support to conservationists than they do now. No details were saved from what was a totally unique building in the Hull area, and sadly this painful lesson has seemingly yet to be learned by the local authorities. In trying to suggest another, surviving example, of a pub in the style of the Grapes has defeated me. To the best of my knowledge it was without comparison, which makes the loss that much greater.

Some victuallers of the Grapes: -

1819 William Bell, Ferry House Inn, Stone Ferry
1822 -1823 Thomas Walker vict., Ferry House and wood turner, Stoneferry
1824 -1828 Thomas Charlton, Grapes, Stoneferry
1831 William Wood, Ferryman, Grapes, Stoneferry
1834 - 1840 William Wood, Grapes, Stoneferry
1848 William Wells victualler, Ferryhouse, Stoneferry
1851 W. B. Robinson, Grapes Inn & Ferryhouse, Stoneferry
1853 Ordnance Survey, “Ferry House P.H.”
1863-4 Thomas Hodgson, Grapes Inn & Ferry House, Stoneferry
1867 Alfred Crawford, Grapes, Ferry House, Stoneferry
1872-3 T. Johnson, Ferry House Inn, Stoneferry
1873 Joseph Collinson, Ferry House Inn, Stoneferry
1876 - 1882 Francis Coates, Grapes Inn & Ferryhouse, Stoneferry
1881 Census, Ferry House

Francis COATES 47 Selterrington, York
Head, Licensed Victualler

Mary A. COATES 45 Sutton - Wife

Adelina COATES 20 Sutton - Daughter

Henrietta M. COATES 17 Sutton - Daughter

George W. COATES 11 Sutton - Son, Scholar

1885 - 1885 Sam Hunter, Grapes Inn, Stoneferry
1888 Francis Coates, vict. and ferry boat owner, Grapes Inn
1891 Ordnance Survey, “Ferry House P.H.”
1892 -1895 Henry Downes, Grapes, Stoneferry
1901 Mrs. Hannah Downes, Ferryhouse Inn, Ferry Lane
1903 - 1921 Fred Downes, Ferryhouse Inn, Ferry Lane
1929 John Belbin Simmons, Grapes Hotel, Ferry Lane
1939 Henry Wilson & Son, Grapes Hotel, Ferry Lane
1943 Grapes Hotel, Stoneferry
1954 Norman Cooper Kippax, Grapes Hotel, Ferry Lane

New Inn, Leads Road

No buildings are shown on the site of the New Inn on the 1852 Ordnance Survey. However, a land sale plan of 1863 in the Hull City Archive appears to show a building on the site of the inn. Few confirmed references exist prior to an entry in an 1888 trade directory, which listed George Hall at the “New Inn” Stoneferry. The earlier 1881 Census listed 60 years old beer-house keeper George Hall as a beer-house keeper in Stoneferry and this must have been one and the same. A trade directory of 1879 also listed George Hall and other trade directories of the 1870s noted W Reeder, also as a beer retailer in Stoneferry; these references can confidently be assumed to relate to the New Inn.

The 1889 Ordnance Survey shows that the original inn overlooked the Hantom Drain, which had to be crossed to enter the building, and was adjacent to the “Hantom Bridge” leading into West Carr Lane.

In July 1922 Mr Martin, the local housing inspector, visited the New Inn and reported in his diary: -

“Accompanied the M O H to the New Inn Stoneferry, which is to be demolished and a new inn is to be built on the site. The occupant is unable to find a house to remove into and the stable is being converted into two bedrooms on the ground floor, the court houses being contracted into living room and the dairy is to be converted into a larder.”

This would seem to confirm that the old inn was demolished and not simply added to. Rob Barnard noted that Moors’ & Robson’s purchased the New Inn in 1907 and that Holliday & Barker rebuilt it in 1922 for £4,774.6 Plans in the Hull City Archive confirm this and some details are reproduced here with kind permission. The plans record that although building began late in 1922 the work was not completed until April 1923. The building appears to have been designed by Hull architect George Harbron and a member of the Robson family.

Originally a Moors’ & Robson’s “beer-house”, the New Inn did not actually receive its full licence until 2nd March 1953. As Wilson Smith noted, interior alterations were carried out in 1953. It was further altered in 1955 when, amongst other things, toilet facilities were improved and new “bottle stores” added. Overlooking the bandstand and the Stoneferry Green, the New Inn was an attractive pub in a pleasant situation and older relatives recall it was almost a day out to have a trip there from Hull’s dirty streets.

Stylistically, it was standard 1920s Neo-Georgian fare, of simple red-brick with details around the entrance doors. The same influence was felt in small groups of shops built at that time, e.g. those surviving at the junction of Calvert Lane and Spring Bank West and others on Greenwood Avenue. In general however, its appearance, although quite different, owed more to pubs like the Lockwood Arms and the Polar Bear than any other. It is interesting that what we would now know as the lounge was originally planned as a “Café” area and the external door to Leads Road marked as such. In a similar way the raised stage area of the Polar Bear was noted as the “Orchestra” on plans from its 1920s rebuild.

The New Inn was last listed in the telephone directories in 1971 and had lasted around a hundred years. Road developments providing more direct access to the new Bransholme Estate had required the obligatory huge roundabouts, which have done-for many of Hull’s pubs over the years. The New Inn was demolished in the late 1970s. [check council minutes?] Ironically, the industrial estate, which now fills the area around West Carr Lane and required the New Inn’s destruction, housed the newly built warehouse of Bass North Ltd. built in the late 1980s. The conglomerate that owned Bass North’ had taken over Moors’ & Robson’s in the 1960s.

Some victuallers of the New Inn: -

1872 W. Reeder beer retailer, Stone ferry [he was at No.11 Blackfriargate in 1864]
1874 W. Reeder beer retailer, Stone ferry
1879 George Hall, beer retailer, Stoneferry
1881 Census, New Inn, Stoneferry

George HALL 60 Ferrybridge, York, England - Head, Beerhouse Keeper
Mary HALL 64 Nottingham, Nottingham, England - Wife, Beerhouse Keepers Wife
George HALL 31 Louth, Lincoln, England - Son, Handicap: Imbecile

1888 George Hall, New Inn, Stoneferry
1899 William C Cox, New Inn, Stoneferry
1901 W. C. Cox, New Inn, Stoneferry
1905 F. Moxon, New Inn, Leads Road, Stoneferry
1909 F. Moxon, New Inn, Stoneferry
1915 George Edwin Hewson, New Inn, Leads Road, Stoneferry
1921 George Edwin Hewson, New Inn, Leads Road, Stoneferry
1930 Louis Alfred Maude, New Inn, Leads Road, Stoneferry
1939 Arthur Lambert, New Inn, 1 Leads Road, Stoneferry
1943 New Inn, Stoneferry
1954 Robert Carrick, New Inn, Leads Road, Stoneferry

1958-1964 Mr Doug & Mrs June Holland

1964 W Strafford, New Inn, Stoneferry                             

Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street

It is very likely that the original Ship Inn, shown in a photograph made for the Hull Brewery in the 1920s was the same building that had stood on this site, on the edge of the riverbank, since the end of the 18th Century and probably much earlier. It is likely that the inn was the forerunner of the later Grapes or Ferry House Inn to the south, following a change in the site of the old ferry across the river. The ferry is known to have originally been situated at the western end of what is now Anne Watson Street.

A painting by Hull artist John Ward, made sometime before his death in 1849, shows the inn and its surroundings overlooked by several five-sail windmills. Its construction suggests it may have been thatched at some point. A 1920s photograph enables closer examination and at the foot of the building the brickwork is obviously of a very early date. The floor-plan of the building also shows its layout to be of a very early style and suggestive of what is often referred to as a “middle level long house with baffle entrance”, common in the middle of the 17th Century and earlier. The outbuildings shown in the earlier painting had been fore-shortened by the time of the 1889 Ordnance Survey, which showed the Ship Inn as an L-shaped building of regular length along both elevations. A small garden or orchard was situated to the north of the inn bounded by the Hantom Drain and its sluice with the River Hull, over which was a small footbridge. Just southeast of the inn was a large coal yard and its close proximity to the inn suggests that the properties were related in some way. This may have been the yard of coal merchant Henry Hudson, mentioned in trade directories of that period.

A plan drawn for a tax assessment in September 1911 suggests that the original or earlier part of the building may have been the northern most of the buildings; the section shown in the 1920s photograph possibly being a later (late 17th – early 18th Century?) addition. The plan shows that the original pub (probably earlier a farm as well as a possible ferry house) consisted of a kitchen, tap room, smoke room and club room with three bedrooms over.

N.B.; Still noted on the plan of 1889 as Hospital Lane, after the alms houses formerly situated there, the lane was soon to become Anne Watson Street (circa 1907) in memory of the benefactress of the former charitable institution. Moors’ & Robson’s purchased the Ship Inn for £2,000 in 1901. (7) A tax assessment carried out in 1911 noted that the inn held a full 7-day licence and had made a gross profit of just £154 on sales of approximately £462 (an average of 2 barrels per week at £25 per barrel plus spirits etc.). (8) The comments in the report concluded, “Rent is plenty, note small profit. Out of way place, old but fair accommodation.” The Ship had been selling mostly Hull Brewery ales and was tied to them according to the auditor’s report.

Sadly the old building was demolished in 1932 following the construction of the present Ship Inn, further east fronting Anne Watson Street. The new building was of a style that has become synonymous with 1930s pub architecture; long sweeping gables, often almost French in appearance, with imitation half-timbering and herringbone brick in-fill. Sadly, over the years the fashion has been to paint the brick in between the timbering white, ruining the appearance of the building. The Ship is as good an example of this as any and appears today almost as it did 70 years ago. Another fine but similarly abused example is the Endyke Hotel, Endike Lane of the same date.

Once again, historian John Wilson Smith had first hand recollections of the new inn as it was in the 1950s: -

“Did we not know that this street had been the approach to a ferry, we might well wonder to find an inn at such a spot, practically hidden from the main road. There must have been an ale-house for the benefit of travellers at the ferry for many, many centuries. The present fine inn is their legitimate successor. The last of the Ferry Boat Inn’s stood on the river bank itself, a tiny red brick cottage, it was, reputedly of 17th Century construction. It was known indiscriminately as the Sloop, or the Ship, both names suggestive of the nearby river traffic. We have records for a hundred years of the inn.

In 1932 the old cottage was demolished, the licensed site was transferred, and the owners, Messrs. The Hull Brewery Co., erected the present fine tavern. It has a frontage of 16 yards, a depth of the same distance, and stands in concrete surrounds affording good parking space, while there is a sizeable yard at the rear. The structure is of pleasant looking 2” red claygate brick and the gabled roofs are red tiled. On a visit one could not fail to notice a considerable number of private cars parked round the tavern. Entering we found the bar a most comfortable room, with a good fire, and several tables were fully occupied by a worthy assembly. The present landlord is William G Goodhead, who though only recently installed has been a Hull resident for forty years. He is a most gentlemanly host and chatted in a friendly way on the Stoneferry neighbourhood”.

As the only surviving pub in Stoneferry, trade at the Ship appears sporadically healthy, alas modern demands on pubs may soon take their toll, due to the Ship’s isolated position. A pro-active approach by conservationists would be to suggest this and the Endyke’ for spot listing now rather than when the bull-dozers are at the door.

Some victuallers of the Ship Inn: -

1719 James Wheldale? (see introduction)
1822 Philip Jackson, Ship, Stoneferry
1823 Philip Jackson vict., Sloop, Stoneferry
1825 Philip Jackson, Ship, Stoneferry
1826 Philip Jackson vict., Sloop, Stoneferry
1831 Philip Jackson vict., Ship, Stoneferry
1834 Philip Jackson, Sloop, Stoneferry
1835 Philip Jackson victualler, Sloop, Stoneferry
1840 Frances Jackson, Sloop, Stoneferry
1848 Charles Scott victualler, Ship, Stoneferry
1851 W. Wood, Ship Tavern, Stoneferry
1853 Ordnance Survey, “Ship Inn”
1863-4 Robert Carrick, Ship Inn, Stoneferry
1867 R. Carrick, Ship, Stoneferry
1872-3 H. Emerson, Ship Inn, Stoneferry
1874 Henry Emerson, Ship Inn, Stoneferry
1876 Henry Emerson, Ship Inn, Stoneferry
1879 Henry Emerson, The Ship, Stoneferry
1881 Census, Ship Inn

Henry F. EMMERSON 36 Stenigat, Lincoln - Head, Inn Keeper
Sarah EMMERSON 32 Belchford, Lincoln - Wife
Gertrude EMMERSON 7 Sutton - Daughter, Scholar
Annie EMMERSON 4 Sutton - Daughter, Scholar
Ann EMMERSON 21 Stenigat, Lincoln - Sister, General Servant
Fred LAMMERMAN 5 Donington on Bain, Lincoln - Nephew, Scholar

& Next door or attached – “Emerson’s Cottage”

Joseph EMERSON 35 Goulceby, Lincoln - Head, General Labourer
Robert EMERSON 6 Hull - Son, Scholar
1882 Henry Emerson, Ship, Stoneferry
1885 Henry Emerson, Ship, Stoneferry
1888 Henry Emerson vict., Ship Inn, Stoneferry
1892 H F Emerson, Ship, Stoneferry
1895 Henry Farmery Emerson, Ship, Stoneferry
1901 H. F. Emerson, Ship Inn, Hospital Lane
1907 Francis Coates, Ship Inn, Hospital Lane
1911 Francis Coates, Ship Inn
1915 George William Coates, Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street, Stoneferry
1921 John William Dennis, Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street, Stoneferry
1930 John William Armitage, Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street, Stoneferry
1937 Mrs. Kate Cook, Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street, Stoneferry
1939 Mrs. K. Cook, Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street, Stoneferry
1943 K Cook, New Ship Inn, Stoneferry
1954 W G Goodhead, Ship Inn, Anne Watson Street, Stoneferry
1964 E Jones, Ship Inn

Bibliography

The Grapes, The Sloop, The Ship, The Clough, The Blue Ball & The New Inn – Public Houses at Stoneferry. Chris Ketchell. Hull College Local History Unit, 1994.

Moors’ & Robson’s Breweries Ltd., A Brief History. Rob Barnard. Hull College Local History Unit, 1996.

Inns of Holderness & Taverns of East Hull. John Wilson Smith (Edited by Rob Barnard). Hull College Local History Unit, 199…

Housing in Humberside. Sally Egerton. Hull College Local History Unit, 1989.

Landlord. Graham Wilkinson. Work in progress, 2002.

Sutton in Holderness. The Manor, The Berewic, and the Village Community. Thomas Blashill. Brown & Sons, Hull 1896.

The Oxford Companion to Local and Family History. Edited by David Hey. Oxford University Press, 2000.

English Place Name Society, Vol. XIV, the Place Names of the East Riding of Yorkshire and York. A.H. Smith. Cambridge University Press, 1937.

Access to Archives, www.a2a.pro.gov.uk

Hull University Manuscripts and Archives Database, www.hull.ac.uk/lib/archives/humad2

Trade Directories, various.

The Dutch Connection; the Anglo-Dutch Heritage of Hull and Humberside. David Neave. Humberside Leisure Services and the School of Adult and Continuing Education, University of Hull in conjunction with Hull City Museums and Art Galleries. Hull, 1988.

Victoria County History of the County of York, East Riding. Volume 1: The City of Kingston upon Hull. Edited by K.J. Allison. Oxford University Press for Institute of Historical Research, 1969.

Victoria County History of the County of York, East Riding. Volume IV. Edited by K.J. Allison. Oxford University Press for Institute of Historical Research, 1979.

A History of the Town and Port of Kingston upon Hull. James Joseph Sheahan (2nd Ed.) John Green. Beverley, 1866.

Housing Inspector’s Notes; Transcribed from the diaries of Robert Martin. Graham Wilkinson. Hull, 2000.