Dock Hotel Merseyside!! 1950's

[Doc Vernon]

Hi
Can anyone tell me if the old Dock Hotel in Freeman Street Birkinhead is still in operation,as its been so long ago since i last saw or had a Pint there!
I went there only once in my time with my late Uncle Dusty,and we had such a great time .
I recall meeting a few really good chaps there,some M Navy and a few other locals too,but the names elude me now! Oh the age thing!! haha!
However if my memory is correct i seem to recall there was a sort of back room there for smoking with a Lady! Mmmmm!!
It wast too far from the Dock Area either! Cant recall the name of the Actual Dock though! But there was a Wharf of some sort there that you walked over! ?? Those days i never took too much notice of small things,always on the Booze LOL!
Anyway was just sitting and Mind Bashing for a while,some strange and far away things came to mind haha!!
Better go now or my mind may well recall too much!
As if thats possible!!
Oh Dear!
Cheers

[Chris Roberts]

Hi Vernon - the Pub named the THE DOCK in Freeman street Birkenhead is all boarded up to prevent vandalism and sports a FOR SALE sign - the dock that you mentioned was the Edgerton dock.
Alas the docklands of Birkenhead and Liverpool have changed so much that you would not recognise the place.
Regards
Chris Roberts.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Chris
Oh dear what a shame that is happening there! That sure was a great Hotel!
But as so many other places and Ports the changes are bound to have happened,but in my eyes Alas! for the worst!
I think that the days of Shipping then were definately the best and all of us that had the privilage to be associated with them were very very lucky!
As said i was only there once,but like other Ports and some Pubs around the World we sometimes only saw a place possibly once too!
The memories though will always stay with us all!
Thanks for the reply! Its appreciated!

PS I take it you are also ex M Navy!??
If so may i extend this welcome to you as well!
Cheers

Hi
Would just like to give you a warm Welcome to this very good site!
Here you will find lots of info,good Crew and with luck also find a few old Shipmates!
So sit back,relax and just enjoy the trip!
Hope we will have you here for a long time!
A site truly worthy of the British Merchant Navy!
Cheers

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After Soul Searching i found this old Pic!
Cheers

[Chris Roberts]

Hi Vernon - thanks for the thumbnail - yes that's the pub for sure. I was in the MN - I was with Palm Line. I also lived in S.A. for 17 years - in the Jo-burg area - if fact I married a S.A. girl some 40 years ago!!!!
and still going strong.
Best Regards
Chris Roberts

[jimmys]

I was on a lot of ships in Vittoria Dock and the local was the Duke but there was too many Blue Funnel prying eyes in that pub. We used to go on a pilgrimage at lunchtime to the Dock which was along Corporation Road about quarter of a mile.
That was the sixties and there was no need for a seaman to go thirsty in Birkenhead. A good pub on every corner.

regards
jimmy

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Chris
Thanks for reply,so an ex Jo,burg Lad hey! haah! Things are a lot different nowdays ,but still SA is a lovely place to see!
Nice to hear things are still going strong with you and the Wife! SA Girls oh Boy! They are lovely!!

I too lived in Joburg for a spell (Originally from Cape Town) and worked on the JMT Trolly Busses and Trams in the eraly 50's with my Brother.
We then lived in Mayfair West,and close to the Tram and Bus depot just down in Fordsburg! (I remember so well that Fordsburg run on the Trams,the Hill was nice and steep,and the Drivers used to give it some stick,what a ride!!)

Got our Picture in the local paper at one stage for being the smartest dressed 2 Connies (Conductors) on the JMT! (Johannesburg Municipal Tramways) wish i had kept a cutout!
Rough Area then,but we had many good mates (mosty Asserians) LOL!

Oh yes some really good Years there!
Although i class myself as a true Capetonian i was born in Roodepoort,but we moved down to Cape Town when i was only 4 and that was our home for the rest of our time!
All the best
Cheers

[Peter Trodden]

Hi Vernon,Jimmy,chris,
An old mate of mine was Boss of the Dock Hotel for many years (Joe Craven) and retired thru ill health 3 years ago. He was doing very well there,with the drivers and shore crowd from the 12 Quays Ro-Ro Berth just across the bridge. They could get a meal and a pint any time of the day or night,and B&B if required.On the weekend there was live music.
The last people to own the Dock was a group of Bikers (Motor Cycle Club) who had there own style,and ways of running a pub,that obviously did'nt please the locals,hence the shut-down. I was born and bred not far from that area so I know all the Pubs around there,and like most of the young lads in my neigbourhood we went to Sea in the 50s and 60s just to get away from it all.
I still meet up with some of my old mates when I go Walk-about in Birkenhead and Liverpool,have a few pints and yarn about the good old days when we where alive, and Deep-Sea
ttfn.Peter.

[Trader]

Peter, what was the name of the pub in Hamilton Sq.? I remember using it when I was in Blueys early 50's.

Alec.

[jimmys]

The Wursley or the Worsley or a name like that at Hamilton Square. Might be that one. It was well known in Blue Flu.

jimmy

[Peter Trodden]

Hi ALEC,Jimmy.
The Pub near Hamilton Sq,You may be thinking of was the Pier Hotel,sometimes called the Parrot House. It was a favourite with Bluey Men,especially the Welsh lads who would stay overnight in the Red Ensign over the road(Known locally as the Welsh Embassy) The Pier was owned by a Welsh woman Mrs Hughs,and had a caged parrot in the bar.Another Fav,pub in that area was the Stork in Price St,especially on sign on/off day as it was next to the shipping office.
Jimmy,
I can not think of any Pub in the Hamilton Sq,area that even sounds like the one you named
ttfn.Peter.