Brigg Shipbuilders.
"Brigg, or Glanford Bridge, on the Ancholme, 24 miles N. from Lincoln, 157 from London, is a chapelry of the parish of Wrawby, and contains 337 houses, and 1674 inhabitants. The river Ancholme has been made navigable from the Humber to Bishop Bridge, ten miles above the town, and by its means the inhabitants carry on a considerable trade in corn, coals and timber. The market is on Thursday, and a fair 16th August; and the petty sessions are held here. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a curacy, in the presentation of Clare Hall Cambridge. A free grammer-school was founded here by Sir John Nelthorpe, 1674. Here was an ancient hospital founded by Adam Paynell in the reign of John and subordinate to the abbey of Selby in Yorkshire. Newstead Abbey, on the banks of the Ancolme, about a mile and a half above the town, was founded by Henry II. for Gilbertines, and dedicated to the Holy Trinity: it was valued at 55 l 1s 8d per annum, and the site was granted in 1539 to Robert Heneage, Esq. The remains constitute a farm-house, belonging to Lord Yarborough. At the south end of the building is a room said to have been the chapter-house; but an arched entrance to the chapel has been removed to Brocklesby. The site is extra-parochial." 1837 Directory.
Brigg Navigation - The new lock at Ferriby Sluice, which is the outfall into the Humber of the navigable canal from Bishop Bridge, which is fifteen miles from Lincoln, and which passes through Brigg, was opened on Wednesday, (24th May 1844) with due ceremony. Eleven o'clock was the hour appointed for letting in the water, which was done in the presence of Earl Yarborough and the Commissioners of the drainage and navigation. The weather proved favourable, and a large company assembled, including several gentlemen from Hull, who arrived by the 'Dart' Steam Packet, which made an excursion expressly for the occasion. The 'Sisters' was first vessel to pass through the lock. The whole of the works have been completed in a very substantial manner, by Mr. Adam Smith, mason and contractor. Messrs Holderness and Chilton,of this town, supplied the timber, and the cement used was from the works of Messrs G. and T. Earle, also of this town.
Brigg Union Steam Packet Company.
March 1844 - On and after Tuesday the second day of April the Steam Packet will leave Ferriby Sluice for Hull at nine o'clock am precisely every day (Sundays excepted) to meet the half past ten o'clock am train from Hull to London, Manchester, Leeds etc. Fares Brigg and Hull. Best Cabin 1s 6d; return fare same day 6d; Brigg and Hull Fore Cabin 1s each way; Ferriby Sluice and Hull Best Cabin 1s return fare same day 6d; Ferriby Sluice and Hull Fore Cabin 6d each way. Goods and cattle conveyed at moderate freights.
Ships operating at Brigg.
“Queen” In 1851 Census she was described as a sloop, Edward Sharp was the master and his wife Ann was mate, the crew consisted of sons John and Charles with John Roper as waterman. In 1871 the keel, as she was now described, had John Sharp as Captain with George Fish as mate, Ann was described as the Owner. Working on the River Ancholme.
“Splendour” In 1871 Census had Captain George Green with his wife on board and George Goodhand as mate. Working on the River Ancholme.
Ships built at Brigg
S.S. 'Expedition' Wooden Screw Steamer of 18 tons and 8 h.p. Built by Joseph Sleight, Brigg and engines by T.& W. Pim, Hull. (Certificate No. 352)(British Association)
1820 'Pigeon' Sloop 40 tons, official No. 7554, for John Lushby.
1825 'Ancholme' Sloop 34 tons, official No. 17755, October 1855 registered Grimsby, for Nathan Chapman, Robert Keetley. 1880/85 owner Joseph Chapman, Grimsby.
1840 built Brigg, rebuilt 1894 - 'North Cape' Keel, official No.105075, registered Hull, 47 tons, 1896 for William Hewson, Hull. 1900 for William Brown, Barton on Humber. 191 for Henry Oldridge, Waterside Road, Barton on Humber. 1915 for Frank L. Shackleton, Goole.
1842 'Mary & Ann' Sloop, 42 tons, official No. 4826, 1850 registered Lynn, 1860 registered Goole, 1870 for Joseph Ellerby Hepworth, Wakefield.1880 owner Charles Canbey, Hull.
1847 'Fleece' Sloop 41 tons for J. Kyme, Benjamin Gladwin; Brigg.
1854 'John & Mary' Sloop 50 tons, official No. 5335, for William Dryson.
1855 'Elizabeth Winter' Schooner 73 tons, official No. 7682, for Thomas Winter.
1856 'Ocean Spray' Sloop, official No. 27032, 37 tons, 1870 for Robert Chapman, Killingham, 1880 for William H, Bee Brigg, 1900 for Edward Chapman, Barton.
January 1910 - George Atkin engineer of the Steam Keel 'Swift', which plied between Hull and Brigg drowned.
Ships at Brigg
December 1831 - To be sold by auction at the Wool Pack Inn, Brigg. Two sloops lying in the river Ancholme, well rigged and in excellent condition, the 'Phoenix' and the 'Glamford' capable of holding about 300 quarters of barley each.
Ships at Flixbrough Stather.
1848 - 'Chance' official No.12706, 36 tons, 1865 registered Hull for Anthony Read, Flixbrough Stather, Brigg.
Pigot & Co.s Directory 1828/9.
"George Slight, boat builder, Bridge Street.
Conveyance by water;
To Ferriby Sluice and Hull, Colton and Thorp’s Fly Boats from the Bridge end wharf, every morning at six.
To Leeds, Wakefield and all parts of the kingdom, vessels twice a week, from Colton & Thorp’s and R. J. Atkinson’s wharf."
Whites Directory 1842.
"Several of the inhabitants are owners of small trading vessels, and packets sail daily with passengers to Ferriby Sluice, to meet the Hull steamers."
Kelly’s Directory 1855.
"Joseph and Charles Slight, shipbuilders, Bridge Steet."
Gazette 1856.
"Joseph Slight, shipbuilder, Bridge Steet."
Steam Packet to Hull, at 7.30 morning. daily, except Sunday and Thursday. Horse Boat to South Kelsey and Bishop Bridge, every Thursday. Sailing Vessels to Hull, every Monday and Friday.
Kelly’s Directory 1868.
"Water Conveyance;
Thomas Darley’s trading vessel from the wharf to Hull. Times uncertain.
William Smith and Son’s trading vessel from the wharf to Hull, twice a week.
Hull, Ferriby Sluice & Brigg Packet Company’s Fly boat from the wharf with goods & passengers daily (except Sunday & Thursday), at 7:30 a.m. returning according to tide; trading vessel once a week.
A two-horse boat from Bishop Bridge attends Brigg market every Thursday, leaving at 3 o’clock."