Mersey Ferries - The Wallasey Ferries
Edited by T.B. Maund & Martin Jenkins. Published by Black Dwarf Publications, Witney, OX28 1NR. 2003. Hardback 200 pages gloss art paper over 190 photographs, maps, plans & drawings. Index. ISBN 1 9035 99 08 3. Price £20.
This substantial record of the ‘Ferry across the Mersey’ is a major contribution to the maritime history of this great Northern river and port. It represents a most comprehensive study of the Wallasey Ferries and details the history of the various routes from the famous Liverpool Pier Head to destinations such as Seacombe, Egremont & New Brighton listing the vessels used, the fare structure, ticket types and portrays the varying fortunes of the passenger and goods ferry services over the years.
Also included are details of the Luggage Boat services which plyed across the river laden with heavy goods vehicles and cars. These vessels were a common sight on the river until the opening of the Mersey Tunnel in 1934, which saw the slow demise of the service.
The glory days of the Mersey Ferries have long passed and the present day service is treated more as a leisure cruise rather than part of the region’s transport network. But, in the past, the ferry service crossing to Liverpool was an integral part of the daily journey to work for 40% of Wallasey’s workforce. I know, because in my younger days, I enjoyed my daily breath of fresh air and the view of large ships entering or leaving the port. The rise and fall of the service presents a fascinating story of the social changes which have taken place over two centuries on Merseyside.
The book is well produced and written and is profusely illustrated with photographs of the majority of vessels employed on the various cross river services and includes drawings of the landing stages and piers in use. It is an essential addition to any maritime history bookshelf.
Reviewed by Neil Macaulay
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Colin
11/7/2011
Does the book contain any information about the foundering /sinking of a ferry from New Brighton 1946 -1955 where the recuers were DUKWs . I was on board as a young child
and have never been able to find any information. my e-mail -colin@colgwyn123.plus.com
thanks
Colin
Dave Hills
6/10/2006
The British Library Newspaper Library at Colindale in North London will almost certainly have a copy of this newspaper if you can identify its name and date of publication.
Their email address is newspaper@bl.uk
and their website is www.bl.uk/collections/newspapers.html
J.W.ELWELL
30/9/2006
RE REQUEST - PLEASE E-MAIL REPLY TO ELWELL@EREAL.NET
J.W.ELWELL
30/9/2006
I AM TRYING TO OBTAIN A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE RETIREMENT IN MARCH 1930 OF MY GRANDFATHER JAMES MCGINN WITH TWO WORK COLLEAGUES FROM WALLASEY FERRIES. I SAW THIS NEWPAPER PHOTO SOME 40 YRS AGO AND WOULD LIKE A COPY. ANY IDEAS
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