A contribution to the Marine Lives Thames soundscape project in the form of a new site section. Here, historical resources are compiled to address how the old Billingsgate fish market might have sounded, and how people in the past thought it sounded.
We have as yet no certain Account of Mr. Forster, since his Escape out of Prison, whether he went for Holland or France, tho’ some will have it, he took a Boat the same Night at Billingsgate, and went for the Buy in Nore; others say, he went into Kent by Land, whither several Messengers are gone in search of him.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
My Lord, The Preservation of Mens Lives travelling upon their lawful Business, is so much every Man’s Concern, especially of Men in your Lordship’s high Trust, that, I flatter myself, your Lordship will not be offended in a Person unknown to you, presumes in this Manner, to lay before you a very crying Abuse, and which seems to want Redress from the Legislature: ‘Tis in Relation to the Gravesend Tilt Boats, one of which was cast away on Thursday’s s’en-night last, and 14, and some say eighteen Persons were drowned, and many others saved only by swimming, and a Ship’s Boat that came to their Assistance. Your Lordship may likewise have heard, that the like Accident happened towards the End of King William’s Reign, when near 50 Persons perished; for those Boats will contain more than that Number. The chief Occasion of these Disasters seems to be, that these Boats are under no Regulations, or observe none, as to the Largeness of their Sails, the Height of their Masts, and the Times and Winds, when it is safe to sail. But that which is the Foundation of all, is, that they are permitted to stay as long as they pleased, after the Tide is turned at Gravesend and Billingsgate, which not only makes them often lose their Tide, and set Passengers short of their Journeys End, to their great Damage and Inconveniency, but puts them upon a Necessity in order to regain the lost Time, to sail with more and larger Sails than such Boats will safely carry, and in the Time of high, and sometimes contrary Winds. I therefore beg Leave to say, that besides other Remedies which your Lordship, in your great Wisdom will think of, it would be highly convenient, that those Boats, and the rest of the Gravesend Wherries, should be obliged to put off (as is the Practice in Holland) upon the ringing of a Bell, the Moment the Tide is turned: And in case of a contrary Wind, and what the Atermen call Nip Tides, something sooner, at the Discretion of the Deputy-Alderman of Billingsgate, and the Mayor of Gravesend, respectively, or the Persons appointed by them to ring the said Bell. The Watermen would not then be tempted to hazard the Lives of their Passengers and their own, by carrying too much Sail,to regain their lost Times, nor have that Excuse for their Delays, that the Passengers are dilatory in coming to the Boat, as they now indeed are, on Account of the Uncertainty of the Time of going off, apprehending to be kept an Hour or two in the Boat, in waiting for others, as now often happens. All which is humbly submitted to your Lordship’s Consideration, by
Your Lordship’s unknown, but most respectful, and most obedient Servant.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
We are informed,there will soon be published an excellent Paper, called, THE DULL DOG; written for the Entertainment and Instruction of the Town, to which all ingenious Gentlemen of the same Standard of Wit with the Author, will be invited to contribute their Assistance, in order to bring forth a complete Paper for this very witty polite Age. The Topicks handled being mostly Feminine, all Sorts of Women will be admitted Correspondents, as well as Men; and the Author will always pay a profound Regard to the Merits of Billingsgate. Written by Jack Thickskull, Esq; and printed by his Direction in Great Grub-street, for Tim Softpate in St. Paul’s Church-Yard. N. B. To be dull, is to be fashionable.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Wednesday Night a Captain, and five more Persons, Natives of Ireland, were taken in Custody of one of his Majesty’s Messengers, as they were taking Water at Billingsgate in order to pass over to France.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
The Irish People lately taken into Custody at Billingsgate (going to France) have been most of them examined, and are continued in Custody.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Tuesday in the Afternoon a melancholy Accident happened a little below the Bridge, where nine Women crossing the River from Billingsgate, the Boat running upon an Iron Chain which served to moor Ships by, overset so suddenly, that three of them (one big with Child) were drowned, and the other six were with much Difficulty saved, notwithstanding the immediate Assistance which came to their Relief.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Last Night a poor Man, unknown, walk’d about Billingsgate, very melancholy, he was tolerably clean dress’d, and observ’d by some of the Neighbours, who offer’d him Charity, which he thank’d them for, but refused, and reply’d, his Business was done; he laid himself down at Somer’s Quay and expired.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Yesterday a Boy in a small Butcher’s tray, took Water at Billingsgate, and row’d to Greenwich for a wager of ten Guineas, which he won without difficulty: he had a Boat however to follow him, in case of any accident. This Boy seems to have been born not to be drowned.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Tuesday Night two Women going through Bridge in a Schullar, the Boat overset, and they were both drown’d; the Waterman sav’d himself by swimming to Billingsgate. One of the Women has lain some Days floating upon the River, made fast to a Barge near the Lead Mill at Horsleydown, but is not as yet own’d.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Last Saturday a young Gentleman, Clerk to Mr. Edwin Somes, an eminent Barbadoes Merchant, stepping hastily out of a Boat at Billingsgate, by his Foot slipping fell backwards into the River, and was drowned in the Sight of a Multitude of People. It was high Water, and the Boats lay so thick at the Stairs, that there was no Room for him to Rise.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
By the Act for regulating Watermen, which now lies ready for the Royal Assent [. . .] Any Waterman wilfully or negligently losing their Tide from Billingsgate, to Gravesend, or from Gravesend to Billingsgate, by putting on Shore for other Passengers, or by waiting or loitering by the Way, so that the Passengers shall be landed 2 Miles short of the Place to which they are bound, such Passengers are discharged from paying for their Passage.
The Rulers of the Watermens Company are to appoint an Officer at Billingsgate and another at Gravesend, and to provide a Bell to be hung up at each Place, which the said Officers are to ring at the Time of High Water at London Bridge, and the first of Flood at Gravsend, and to continue ringing for 15 Minutes, to give Notice to the Tilt-Boats and Wherries to put off, and set forwards to their Voyages, which they shall do without lying by in the River, or putting again on shore within 2 Miles of the said Places for the taking in of any Goods or Passenger. And such Boats must be navigated by two able-bodied Men, the younger thereof to be 18 Years old at least.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
A Waterman of Erith in Kent, was yesterday convicted before Sir Richard Brocas, on Oath, on a Clause in the late Act of Parliament, for taking Passengers into his Boat at Billingsgate, after the publick Bell had done ringing, whereby he forfeits Five Pounds, which was levyed on his Boat by Warrant of Distress, as the Law directs. He is the second Person that has been convicted on this Act.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Thursday a Gentleman-like Person took Water at Black-Fryars for Billingsgate, and as soon as he got through Bridge jump’d out of the Boat with a Resolution to drown himself; but another Boat coming thro’ the same Lock instantly after, in spite of his Opposition was taken up, and carried to the Three Tuns at Billingsgate, where he was put to Bed and taken Care of. On examining his Pockets there were found large Weights therein, placed with Design no doubt to sink himself.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Thursday Evening last a Gentleman very well dress’d attempted to drown himself as he was going thro’ London-Bridge, by leaping out of the Boat into the River, but by timely Assistance he was sav’d, and carried to a House at Billingsgate, where he attempted to cut his Throat.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Yesterday, to their pleasing Amazement, the Inhabitants of Billingsgate were blessed with the Arrival of 3 Fishing Vessels, two loaden with Oysters, and the third with Whitings; a Sight they have been some Time Strangers to.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Last Wednesday a Turbert, weighing 27 lb. was sold at Billingsgate for six guineas.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Saturday last Mackarel at Billingsgate were sold for 18 l. a Hundred.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Yesterday a Boat with four Women therein, crossing from Billingsgate to Battle-Bridge, running foul of the Chains of a Lighter lying in the Road, was overset, and two of the Women drown’d.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Yesterday a Porter at Billingsgate laid a trifling Wager; that he stepp’d from one Shoal of Ice to another, but miss’d his Step in the Performance, and was drown’d in the Sight of several People, who could give him no Assistance.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
Last Tuesday a melancholy Accident happenef to Mrs. Mitchell, a Fishmonger in Newport-Market, who had got up early in order to go to Billingsgate, but not being well went to the Necessary House, and falling asleep there, the Candle set fire to her Cloaths, which burnt her to Death, before any of the Family knew where she was, or came to her Assistance.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Wednesday two of the greatest Draughts of Salmon were caught between Hammersmith and Richmond that has been known some Years, one Net having thirty-five large Salmon in it, and the other twenty-two, which lowered the Price of fresh Salmon at Billingsgate to 6 d. per Pound.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
On Friday Morning, about Three o’Clock, a Fire broke out at an empty House behind the Dog Tavern near Billingsgate, which consum’d the same and damaged the House adjoining, before it could be extinguish’d. The Parish had lett the House the Day before to a Woman sells Fish at Billingsgate; whether this Accident happen’d through the Carelessness of any Person belonging to her, or some Workmen whom she employ’d, is not certainly known.
Original page on the British Newspaper Archive.
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