History of the Humber Ferry Part One: The Humber Ferries

[@brianwillson9567]

Thank you so much for this video. From 1976 to the mid 80s I was auditor of the hull companies Shipham &co and George Clark & co. Coming up from Leicester and staying at the hull centre hotel for two weeks in jan and four weeks April/May. I used to explore the old town etc. The town docks and Victoria dock were quite derelict. I remember the ‘corpse’ of an upright piano for several years in the mud of the dock. The highlight in the early years was a trip over the Humber on the Lincoln castle.Farringford was a poor, but acceptable substitute. In later years myself and the other two or three guys of the audit team would take a spring evening’s walk over the bridge, a pint on the other side, a walk back and another pint , or two, at the Lincoln castle, now a beached pub, and back ‘home’ to the hull centre, with possible a train spotting hour at paragon. Happy days.

[@paulrowe9604]

We lived in Cleethorpes but my father was from Hinderwell north of Whitby . Every year we went on holiday and crossed the Humber on the ferry ! As a little boy the polished brass and copper of the steam engine and the steam fascinated me ! Later on I got an apprenticeship with the Yorkshire Electricity Board and had to do 3 months mechanical and 3 months electrical at the Clough Road depot of the Y.E.B. in Hull and had to use the ferry again ! Sadly i never saw the Humber Bridge or crossed it as I emigrated to South Africa in 1980 and have never been back !

[@revzombie]

I always have fond memories of walking to pier from Hessle rd, jumping on the ferry to new holland then train to Cleethorpes for a day out.😊

[@markhp99]

Excellent video, I remember going on the ferry as a boy with my dad

[@richardpowell1344]

I've just watched the story of the Humber ferries, I had no idea Lincoln Castle had been scrapped. I remember as a small boy being taken on the Lincoln across the Humber many a time. I don't mind admitting I shed a tear or two when I learned of her fate. A trio of superb videos my good man. An excellent job, well done .

[@hullhistorynerd]

It was quite a tragic end, especially with it being the result of some pretty petty local politics and Kafkaesque bureaucracy by the look of things. Glad you enjoyed the story though!

[@davefrench3608]

Those 3 ferries were always a treat to travel on.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

Used the ferry many times from 79 to 81 as part of my job having to drive to Grimsby /Lincoln surrounding areas. Time moves on , but enjoyable memories, having a cuppa on the crossing. First went on it as nine year old...seemed thrilling then !

[@oddities-whatnot]

I know Hull has its rough parts but I like it there. Visited quite a few times. I like the drive once you get past Wakefield.

[@RichDavey]

Love your documentaries. You make them so interesting to watch. Hull folk must be proud of you. Well done 👍 I class myself as local and feel you do our area proud 😊

[@James-gf9jl]

Excellent, I was hoping you'd cover this.

[@shanewarnes7339]

I lived in hull in 1975/6 I love your videos it brings back fond memories.. ( sad ones to but that makes life).. Thank you for your videos. Shane Warnes.. I lived in Mons Street. ( Chants Ave )

[@tedthesailor172]

The more interesting aspect of a Humber ferry ride was a viewing areas down below where passengers could actually observe the steam engine with its huge pistons heaving back and forth. It also had a snug little licensed saloon that did a pretty brisk trade during the crossing. It wasn't just a ferry, but a bit of an institution. It also had a vehicle deck for cars, but numbers were limited...

[@eileenspamer]

and the ice cream/sweet kiosk lol hull granny now in withernsea

[@tedthesailor172]

@@eileenspamer eh...?

[@ggmtv1394]

These videos are great. My first arrival in Hull in October 1969 was on the Lincoln Castle. Getting on the thing with a car was not the easiest thing I'd done but I was helped by an hour's wait in the Yarborough Arms. Now on to part 2 and 3!

[@hullhistorynerd]

Hehe, another commenter mentioned that there was a kink in the boarding ramp and it nearly took his exhaust off a few times!

[@ggmtv1394]

@@hullhistorynerd Yes- I'll believe that. The gap between the pier and the ferry was simply a few loose planks and the angle of the pier and the deck was dependent upon the tide. Thereafter, I crossed about once a fortnight until the bridge appeared and scoffed at the strangers trying to get cars onto and off the boats.

[@williamrobinson7435]

I remember going on t'ferry as a child. Lovely film as ever!

[@donkinnersley2377]

Again so much to love about your work. This time getting even closer to home as I believe my grandfathers last job was onboard the Tattershall Castle and I subsequently worked in London offices overlooking her moored on the banks of the River Thames.

[@hullhistorynerd]

You'll enjoy part three of this series - it's all about the Castles!

[@donkinnersley2377]

@@hullhistorynerd do you have the dates for the release of parts 2 and 3?

[@hullhistorynerd]

Indeed I do, there's two week gaps between them to give me time to incorporate any new info that comes my way from my awesome viewers! I've already got an interesting lead on the drama surrounding Lincoln Castle's fate!

[@JohnHopkin]

I remember visiting the Tattershall Castle on the Thames in the early 1980s, when it was a kind of expensive bar and museum. Placards and photos everywhere showing the history of the vessel ... except nowhere was there any mention of Hull or the River Humber. I suppose the owners wanted people to think she was a London steamer, and didn't want to sully its legacy with any mention of our own fair city, where she had spent her proper working life.

[@misskittysmith]

Wonderful! I only faintly remember the ferry. I wish they were still around..

[@hullhistorynerd]

Next time you're in London, maybe swing by Victoria Bank and wave to Tattershall Castle!

[@misskittysmith]

@@hullhistorynerd I absolutely will! By the way I like the music on this episode.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Yay, that balances out the chap who thinks it's "music"!

[@eclectic6]

Great series of 3! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks Jim.

[@simonrichardson5077]

Good to see you back lad

[@daystatesniper01]

Superb as per usual , a friend has a station totem from New Holland Town ,bring on the next part !!

[@julieaskew2576]

Informative and entertaining you should be prescribed on the NHS 😄. Seriously I learn so much from your videos to add to my family history research, which is strongly rooted in Hull.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Very glad you enjoy the channel and find it helpful with your research!

[@briandobson9272]

a big big thankyou it was worth waiting for looking forward to the next episode,regards brian d.

[@1967sluggy]

Recently ran across a copy of the Lutyens Plan (itself a fascinating what-if) in Hull history. Notably, among all the other proposals, they included a proposal for a bridge over the Humber, with the spot being... exactly the very same spot it was built in for real, 3 decades later!

[@hullhistorynerd]

The location of the best spot for a bridge has been known for years; the railway bridge idea floated in the 1870s was also located at this spot. It's the narrowest part, and requires the least effort to gain height on the North Bank thanks to the hill that's there, requiring engineering on only one side to come down from the bridge's height.

[@steveclem]

Another video that keeps you enthralled with the history of our town. Well done Nerd.

[@stevenoglesby3841]

Easily one of my favourite youtube channels.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Thankyou so much!

[@robertkemp8717]

Thanks for that. Great video. I think I might have taken the Humber ferry once with my grandmother. Not sure though. It’s one of those memories from when you are very young and you are not sure whether it happened or whether it was a dream. It would make sense, though, as I’m also a Hull-born lad of Lincolnshire stock. And as I was born in the mid-sixties, it must have been 1970 at the latest. Anyway, need to book a hypnosis session to see whether I I can recall my Humber ferry memories. I’ll let you know if I have any flashbacks.

[@jontyson5407]

Lol

[@cryzcryz2345]

Good job Nerd. I like your channel!

[@BigMrFirebird]

In 1643, Sir Thomas Fairfax had his Yorkshire cavalry regiments ferried from Hull (then under siege) over the Humber to link up with Oliver Cromwell's cavalry on the opposite bank. Lovely clip, as always.

[@slw0599]

Excellent video...your research and enthusiasm keeping us locals and those of other surrounding areas entertained... 👍 Keep up the great work.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Thankyou! I just realised that these videos are my first foray south of the Humber, so clearly my surrounding area is expanding. Maybe I'll do a video on Thornton Abbey one day!

[@stephengreen6338]

In 1971, I worked for a shipping company, called Ohlsonship , I was the junior, but given the job of collecting the light dues, of the docked ships at , New Holland dock, and would use the Lincoln Castle, to cross the Humber which would make me sick every time I used it , and it would get stuck on the constantly shifting sandbanks, the Turkish captains were very instant in you have a tiffle with them, which led to more sickness on the way back....great days

[@mikego18753]

Thumbs up mate.Belting vid. Thanks.

[@annettelaurence5716]

Welcome back! great video.

[@stephenlong5065]

As always I learn so much from your videos , keep up the good work.

[@grahamlewis6062]

Oh thanks for the series. I dearly loved the ‘Castles’. My sister and I used to travel across from Hull to our boarding school at Caistor, when my father was stationed at RAF Patrington. We used to cycle out to Spurn head too, when the point was about 1/2 mile wide!!! Happy days Joan

[@hullhistorynerd]

Have you seen my episode on the Spurn military railway yet? That might bring back some memories!

[@grahamlewis6062]

No I’ll look for it! Thanks

[@peterclarke5699]

Yet again another fascinating video 👍

[@bianchikat]

how do you do it? You make me interested in things I didn't know I was interested in! No, I tell a lie. New Holland and the railways in that area are fascinating. Can't wait for parts two and three. Your video was fantastic as usual!

[@hullhistorynerd]

You'll enjoy the next one, that's all about New Holland and the railways!

[@Wedgedoow]

Very interesting video Jim, you were answering all the questions that popped into my head as the program went forward. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3 Thanks for posting

[@I_Was_Chrispy_Kreme]

Great episode Jamie, can't wait for the rest. BTW you had me chuckling about the Romans crossing the mud across the Humber. I had this sudden vision of a group of them at Barton going "You go first", "No you go first"....

[@hullhistorynerd]

Glad you enjoyed! Part 2 should be with us in a fortnight, so not too long to wait!

[@markrobert6028]

It is a matter of record that they used a ford. The estuary was wider but shallower in their time.

[@I_Was_Chrispy_Kreme]

@@markrobert6028 Given they were Romans I would have thought they would have used a Fiat or an Alfa Romeo

[@lucycolton4141]

My father has the fog bell from new Holland pier.

[@beano3868]

Bugger , he beat me to it well done 😂

[@scottc1589]

Another informative, enjoyable and entertaining video! When you focus on the boats used for the ferry in part 3 you could entitle it: "The Hauling Hulls of Hull" Or NOT!

[@RHR-221b]

👍 Stay free, Scott. Rab 🍻 😎

[@dreamjewels]

A great video thanks, lots of information that wasnt boring..... You obviously put a lot pf effort into your videos and it shows... Well Done

[@henrywilliam8506]

There was a hovercraft service between Victoria Pier and New Holland at one time. The hovercraft was bright yellow, I remember taking a trip on it one weekend as a teenager. The only time I've been on a hovercraft.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Hi, the hovercraft service is covered in the video, though it ran to Grimsby, not New Holland as far as I could ascertain.

[@MelanieMoxon]

Top content as usual, its truly amazing just how much history there is in the city I call home.

[@jontyson5407]

Yet another great video.

[@GAVINHR]

Hi there, I have commented before but I just wanted to say how much I genuinely enjoy your channel, I also am from Hull and have a channel on here but something completely different but honestly you are so engaging and educational I find myself just binge watching your videos even though I have seen them. Would like to see you do a video on the history of Saltend to add to your docks series one day! just dropped you a little token on your go fund me page. Keep up the great work.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Thankyou so much! Every donation to the channel is gratefully received as it helps pay for travel (which is becoming increasingly expensive with fuel prices), research materials, and the occasional lunch whilst out filming! Really glad you're enjoying the videos, and there are plenty more where they came from!

[@Baddroneflying]

Great episode Jamie, am working through this mini-series. Cheers for keeping on putting these well researched and interesting vids out!

[@Domina7ion]

I really like the new visual style.

[@PibrochPonder]

Very interesting, thanks.

[@johnaboardviolet237]

I remember crossing the Humber from Hull to New Holland on the ferry as a lad in the 1960s.I was worried because I thought that I was sitting below the water line.

[@SheGeek78]

I'm biased because im from hull and holderness and have a lot of very happy memories but its a unique city. All cities have drugs, crime, poverty etc, its unfair that hull gets such a bad rap.

[@andydunnett4058]

Another fantastic video.. could you do anything on the bombed out cinema on Beverley road..always fascinated by it when I go passed it

[@hullhistorynerd]

The lost cinemas of Hull is certainly an idea that's popped up a few times in my head, so it may well be on the slate next year!

[@rogerhudson175]

Excellent and informative, as usual. I'm looking forward to the next two episodes...

[@hullhistorynerd]

Thankyou! Episode 2: New Holland will be with us in a fortnight!

[@flossiemac18]

Very interesting, my great grandfather, George Cutsforth, was the captain of the PS Manchester when it had the collision with the Jay, family stories say that it was George that was drunk and caused the accident, so pleased that this is not the case

[@hullhistorynerd]

Oh yes, the case records made for very entertaining reading! It was most assuredly a slightly crazed drunk trawlerman who was entirely to blame on that fateful evening!

[@Trek001]

Oooooohhhh - if only I had known about this one in advance.... My father tried to save the _Lincoln Castle_ which was subject to as good a tale of skulduggery that would have impressed Hudson! A stolen ship, lies, attempted arrests... It would make a good episode by itself if you ever want to talk to him

[@hullhistorynerd]

Episode three is all about the Castles and their stories - including the rather dodgy dealings around the Lincoln Castle whilst it was stuck in Grimsby Dock!

[@Trek001]

@@hullhistorynerd Oh goodie - the old man will like that one... The amount of drug stuff down in her engine room room was unbelievable when I went aboard to inspect her prior to a supposed sale. That said, I was rather more worried about the four foot hole in the bottom that was shipping water Have you included the fact when the ship was being broken up, parts vanished and that it wasn't even the "owners" ship to get rid of?

[@hullhistorynerd]

Ooh, no, I looked into all the shenanigans surrounding the council and owner trying to shaft potential buyers with extra costs and having to dredge the dock, maybe disassemble the wreck, and take parts off Lincoln to fit her through, I didn't know about it not even being theirs to sell, or the bits that went missing. Nothing beats boots on the ground reporting! We've got a good few weeks before that video, so please send me any info you have on Facebook, and I'll look into it!

[@mikeabel1000]

Once again a fantastic video Well done.

[@darrenhowell7855]

You are factually right there was no railway to the Booking office but there was rail’s outside for the trams 😃

[@hullhistorynerd]

Indeed! But as you know, they were a completely different entity both in terms of their operation and rolling stock. Though the MS&LR *did* have a small area of quayside at limekiln creek, just near Albert Dock lock gates, but it didn't actually run any passenger services from there, only freight.

[@darrenhowell7855]

@@hullhistorynerd ah but we had Riverside Quay in that area which did some passengers and Manor Street, so I think all those would be the closest 😃

[@alans4241]

Good one! 👍

[@lipsee100]

regarding walking across the Humber,,,I believe some man (or nut case) did it in the thirties... Lastly Tattershawl castle,I was a bus Driver London,and drove to Trafalgar sq 3 times a day for 12yrs and had too look upon the poor old girl getting chopped about and disfigured ,I wonder if she still has those wonderful engines,doubt it...I seem to remember the Lincoln castle moored up near Humber bridge as a night club /bar,,, HHR great vids keepup the good work...

[@hullhistorynerd]

There was a chap not that long ago who walked across it. The fates of all the Castles will be told in the last part of this series, so stay tuned, as we used to say!

[@markrobert6028]

I remember one of those Castle ferries languishing, beached under the North end of the bridge for years. I think it might be preserved now. Sorry if that spoils video three!

[@hullhistorynerd]

It was Lincoln Castle, and sadly she's the only one of the three that is no longer with us. The full story will be coming in two weeks time though!

[@anglingsteve]

@@hullhistorynerd isn't one of the castles now moored on the river Thames?

[@hullhistorynerd]

@@anglingsteve It is, Tattershall Castle is currently a floating gastropub in London!

[@rachelwalker7091]

Interesting and enjoyable video. I always think that the Humber Bridge was a missed opportunity for International tourism. I would find it interesting to know when and why the City decided to be Hull and not Kingston.

[@hullhistorynerd]

Hull was always Hull; before it was ever a "Kingston upon", it was a "Wyke upon", and frequently mentioned as 'Hull' in records even though it had those other names. The prefixes are really just a bolt-on to the real name of Hull. Some like to use it, others don't, both are fine!

[@kevinmothers904]

I believe there was an idea to continue the M11 northwards from Cambridge, through Lincolnshire and link it up with the Humber Bridge to give a direct freight route from Felixstowe to Hull.

[@jimpilot330]

Bravo!!

[@keithhorsfield6290]

Hi, just found your channel and am working my way through your extremely interesting videos. Do you know anything about Sutton Trod/Monks Trod? It’s supposed to be an ancient footpath used by the monks of Meaux. It passes through what used to be ‘Rockford Fields’ where I used to play as a youngster. A lot of its route can still be traced by building boundary lines and hedgerows on Google Earth.

[@hullhistorynerd]

I have heard of it, I'll be researching it in more detail as I believe it ran along one of the many drainage ditches that ran through what is now East Hull!

[@keithhorsfield6290]

Ok, thanks. The easiest place to pick it up is where it crosses the west side of the Sutton Road old bridge embankment. It runs north-south from there.

[@rjmun580]

That was really interesting. I had to laugh at the Oss Wash cafe sign - was that like a car wash for `osses?

[@hullhistorynerd]

Hehe, almost! The cafe itself is named after the unofficial name of the big concrete ramp that led down to the Humber from the east side of Victoria Pier, which was known as the 'oss wash. People did indeed used to walk their horses into the Humber to wash them!

[@paulsheward3325]

Don't know weather I mist it, but why is Hull called Kingston upon Hull?. Fantastic channel though.

[@hullhistorynerd]

It's always been Hull, after the river; when first founded it was called Wyke upon Hull, and when King Edward I decided to make it one of his King's towns, it became King's Town upon Hull, which later turned to Kingston upon Hull. The Hull bit is what everybody calls it, though!

[@SheGeek78]

My Dad says him, my grandparents and my aunt went across the Humber on The Waverley when he was younger

[@BLOWN8CYLINDER]

Excellent video

[@RHR-221b]

A most wonderful and honest, illuminating insight, H H N. Superlatives unnecessary. Until Phases 2 and 3 = Make it sooner than later, please. So glad you are back ... Stay free. Rab ⏳ 🎲 🌠 💚

[@hullhistorynerd]

Only 2 weeks till part 2!

[@HullYorkshireMemoriesM.Coldham]

Brilliant, as per usual (y)

[@davidriley350]

The ferry company / owner also appears to have owned a smaller packet available for private hire: an 1838 parliamentary report into allegations of misconduct in the Hull election has wonderful details of a candidate in the Hull election paying for a day trip for the 24 or so registered Hull voters that lived in Barton to cross the Humber on election day before being royally entertained in the Humber Tavern all day and returning to Barton that evening. The report of proceedings also seems to indicate that the decision to change the delivery of the London mail from Barton to New Holland was made for political purposes and was not without controversy. (The same report also details how the Duke of Cumberland at Cottingham, amongst other places, appears to have been a base from which Hull voters would be induced to vote for a particular candidate, and gives great insight into local characters and hostelries).

[@hullhistorynerd]

Sounds like the corporation ferry if it's running from Barton. They certainly had a few boats at the time, though the New Holland ferry was boring huge chunks from their bottom line at that time!

[@joshuaW5621]

Have you seen Tugs?

[@hullhistorynerd]

I haven't, what is it?

[@hamsterclamper]

Another great video on my home town, but please can you ditch the eerie background ‘music’? It’s really not necessary and just makes it harder to hear what you’re saying😊

[@hullhistorynerd]

It's an aesthetic choice I make, and the music is always leveled down far and filtered so as to make a scoop for the voice over so that it doesn't interfere.

[@hamsterclamper]

@@hullhistorynerd hmmm, well it does interfere, I’m afraid😊

[@hullhistorynerd]

@@hamsterclamper Perhaps you need to properly EQ your sound system, because there is no way that any of the music on this episode is interfering with the voice over, either tonally or in terms of volume unless your sound system is spectacularly badly set up.

[@hamsterclamper]

@@hullhistorynerd just watching on the same tv I watch all KZbin videos on. Fyi, I gave up half way through this video because I could literally not hear what you were saying. This is meant as constructive criticism. I have had a (completely unrelated) KZbin channel for 3 years and have never been asked to add music. Comments re. the audio always thank me for not adding a background track. Just saying😉

[@hullhistorynerd]

@@hamsterclamper Luckily, after several hundred thousand views and thousands of comments, yours is the only one complaining about it. You played your hand too early when you referred to it as "music" in quotation marks 😉

[@Domina7ion]

haha. Romans were also immune to mud so maybe that's why they walked the humber.

[@pufango4059]

Shame about the monstrosity built on Sammy’s point !

[@hullhistorynerd]

It's better than the eyesore urban ruin that was there for decades prior though, to be fair!