Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;norantyki, post: 7752297, member: 118879&quot;][ATTACH=full]1327609[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]1327610[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Although not strictly a commercial token (although &#039;Pro Bono Publico&#039; does appear on it, making one wonder if there was also an intention to circulate these as coin), this fascinating piece had me stumped at first. Subsequent to being pointed in the right direction by an acquaintance on a Conder FB group, and some extensive further research, I can present the below attribution:</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Presented is a delightful 1817 steam-paddle boat ticket, being struck on a 1d flan, and bearing a clearly commercial obverse featuring a Liver Bird (symbol of Liverpool), and displaying the caveat ‘Pro Bono Publico.’ The condition of this piece is very solid indeed, with only light, even wear visible through the mahogany patina. Of note is that the number ‘24’ has been lightly engraved into the obverse tablet, otherwise this example as British Museum item J.2950.</p><p><br /></p><p>The earliest Mersey steam ferries to Birkenhead were in competition with each other to Tranmere, with the best-remembered of these being the Etna and the Regulator. The Etna was an experimental design built by Dawson (Liverpool) in 1817, and consisted of two vessels 65 feet in length, connected by beams, and making use of a single deck. She was 28 feet wide, and propelled by a wheel placed in the centre. The service was operated by Batman, French &amp; Co. out of Liverpool.</p><p><br /></p><p>Gibson states that “[t]he ‘Etna’ Tranmere Ferry Steam Packet commenced running from the New Slip, at the west side of the Queen&#039;s dock graving docks, on Saturday morning, the 26th April, 1817, at seven o&#039;clock, and to carry passengers at the following rates: on Sundays 4d., working days 3d.; market people allowed to carry three baskets or hampers without additional charge.”</p><p><br /></p><p>He goes on to assert that “<i>t has been said that the ‘Etna’ was the first steamer that plied on the Mersey ; this is incorrect. On June 30th, 1816, at five o&#039;clock in the morning, a steam packet left Runcorn, and arrived at Liverpool at seven, completing the voyage in two hours. Again, on September 6th, 1816, the public were informed, that &quot;the new and elegant Steam Packet, the &#039; Princess Charlotte,&#039;&quot; would go from the New Parade Slip every morning, at eight o&#039;clock, and every afternoon at three, to Eastham (for Chester).”</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>All in all, a fascinating piece of nautical history, and a lovely souvenir of the industrial ‘glory days’ of the midlands.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Sources:</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>J. Harris Gibson. <i>Notes, Historical and Antiquarian, Relating to Lancashire and Cheshire</i> in Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Thirty-First Session, Third Series, Volume VII. Adam Iiolden, Liverpool, 1879. Page 72</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><i>The Liverpool Mercury</i> May 2nd 1817. Page 8</i>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in