Excellent. Ta. K.
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On the subject of facilities at Liverpool, Doc Vernon may be interested in the following death notice from 1861:
"Death of Mr Thomas Vernon - It is with the utmost regret that we have to record the death of Mr Thomas Vernon, iron-ship builder, of this town, and principal in the eminent firm of Messrs Thomas Vernon & Son. He died on Saturday at the residence of his step-son, Mr William Heatley, High Hatton Hall, Shropshire, in his 62nd year. The deceased, who was a native of Cheshire, had been for upwards of 40 years a resident of Liverpool, and as a shipbuilder enjoyed an extensive and well-earned reputation. Amongst other public works he constructed the great north landing stage for the Liverpool and Birkenhead ferries, now approaching completion. In the year 1857, Mr Vernon was returned as one of the members for North Toxteth ward, and held the office up to the period of his decease. Yesterday, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, the flag at the Town Hall was displayed at half-mast high. The remains of the deceased are to be interred on Thursday, at the Smithdown Lane Cemetery."
He was the brother of one of my ancestors and I found him doing family history research. What fascinates me is that he started out as Pansmith in the small town of Winsford - making giant pans to boil brine to extract the salt. How could you just change to making iron ships? What exciting times they must have been.
Thanks for keeping such an interesting site - even for us landlubbers