Maryport is a small industrial town on the west coast. Though already a port in Roman times, the town and port were first properly planned and developed in the 1750s by Humphrey Senhouse, owner of Netherhall, and the Manor...with the intention of making it a rival to the hugely successful port of Whitehaven...just down the coast.
It soon became an important port..shipping coal and iron. One local man who made his mark was a Thomas Henry Ismay who founded the White Star Line..the livery of which is still plainly visible on the wreck of the Titanic in 1985 when cameras photographed it on the sea bed.
The main docks were built in the 1850's and 1880's and some of the local publications of the time show how the narrowness of the river meant that broadside launchings had to be made...with the ensuing swamping of watching crowds, including the schoolchildren given the day off to watch the event. The harbour was finally closed to shipping in 1961.
Nowadays the South Quay has been remodelled to provide a broad esplanade. The 'Greyhound' sailing ships which once weighed anchor have now given way to pleasure craft berthed in the modern marina.
After a visit to the harbour and port, complete with its Maritime Museum....why not visit the hill on which the Roman Museum stands, and which provides an ideal viewpoint of the transformation of Maryport.
A Roman fort Alauna, north of the Ellen, was first excavated in 1766 and again in the 1960s. It was occupied in the 5th century South of the town is a conspicious mote...an 11th or 12th century castle, of which virtually nothing is known.
The Netherhall mansion, once the home of the Senhouses, is still there today, though frankly little remains..Originally a pele tower of the middle ages with extensive 19th century re-building.
Many of Maryport's finest sons have been seafarers. One remarkable centenarian was Joseph Peel who died in 1790 aged 106. In his youth he had sailed in the same ship as Alexander Selkirk...the original Robinson Crusoe, when that unfortunate was marooned on his Pacific Island.Peel is buried in the parish churchyard.
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