Before, we wrote about the account as written in Marina: Southport in 1831, a reprint of Peter Whittle's Marina. Now we have this account from A descriptive history of the popular watering place of Southport in the Parish of North Meols, on the western coast of Lancashire by Frank Robinson.
The Founder of the Town
To the late Mr. D. W. Sutton, of Churchtown, a village about a mile and a half distant, who during his life time was familiarly termed ‘The Duke’, the public is indebted for the foundation of the first or original house, about the year 1792. There is at the present time a gentleman resident in the town, almost a centenarian, who was present when the first barrel of ale was tapped at this house, and partook thereof. For some years previous to that time this coast had been resorted to for sea bathing, but those visitors of a bygone day made Churchtown their place of abode, from whence they were conveyed in carts and other conveyances to the convenient sands, the existence of which induced that farseeing individual before named to carry into effect the above crotchet of his fancy, which he conceived would be of great advantage— and so it proved.
The town, which had previously been called South Hawes, received its present appellation from the late Dr. Barton at an entertainment given by Mr. Sutton at the opening of the new inn. During the evening, the doctor, in a moment of enthusiasm, took a bottle of wine, and dashing the contents about him, exclaimed, ‘This place shall be called Southport!’ Tradition has it that there was formerly a fine bay of water, eleven fathoms deep, within half a mile from shore, where vessels of considerable tonnage securely rode at anchor; it would have been then a port to all intents and purposes. Some of those euphonious personages, ‘the oldest inhabitants’, remember the site of Lords'-street as a famous place for skating. The bay is now filled with sand, caused by the changes which so frequently take place in the current. It is lamentable that the shores where so many persons regain health and strength, should also be the common grave of numbers of hapless seamen who have been driven with their frail barks on this treacherous coast, which thus becomes the bane, as it is most certainly the antidote!
A history of the unfortunate vessels which have been lost and the circumstances relating thereto would fill volumes. Since the establishment of the ‘life boat’, casualties have been rare: no sooner is a signal seen or heard than a volunteer crew of our hardy boatmen, regardless of the fury of the tempest, proceed, if at all possible, to the luckless vessel, and are in most cases of effectual service. In our own times, a project has been advertised for erecting a railway pier, to extend to low water, where vessels might discharge passengers or goods to be from thence conveyed to the manufacturing districts! Whether this is practicable or not we do not pretend to say, but it is scarcely desirable. If a pier is erected as an additional promenade for the inhabitants and visitors, and for their convenience when embarking on pleasure voyages, it will be warmly welcomed, and will, without doubt, prove profitable to those who undertake its construction.
The Folly
Mr. Sutton's speculation was considered at the time quite romantic, and his house received the name of ‘The Duke's Folly’. The first part was built chiefly of timber, and was only opened during the summer months. Mr. Sutton removed there with his family in the year 1798, and remained in it until 1802. Messrs. Hilton and Leadbetter then entered upon it for a term of twenty-one years, commencing in May, 1803, and, having a pretty general acquaintance with the company who then frequented the place, the house obtained great repute, and was by them designated Southport Hotel. They only occupied the premises for seven years, when a Mr. Ashall became the occupant. About this time it was considerably enlarged by Mr. Sutton. Mr. Ashall remained between three or four years, and was succeeded by Mr. Trevitt, who only remained two years. Mr. and Mrs. Clare, from Wigan, were the next occupants, and continued to reside there until April, 1824, when the original lease expired. Mrs. Claire gave it the name of the Royal Hotel. A son-in-law of Mr. Sutton's held it one year, and on the 10th of April, 1825, it was taken by Mr. Halfey, who remained in it until he removed to the new and splendid hotel, the Bold Arms, in Lords'-Street, where he still resides. Mr. Thompson, a relative of Mr. Sutton's, Mr. Charles Walthall, and, lastly, Mr. John Parkinson, have succeeded each other, in which latter person's tenancy many further additions and improvements have been made. It is now a tolerably comfortable house of accommodation, but bears no comparison to the costly and splendid erections of latter years. What it lacks in splendour is compensated for by its site, and the interest caused by the reminisces of the past; the view of the town from its windows being unequalled, and as ‘the folly’ it must be an object of curiosity while it stands.
☆Photo by Russ Broadbent