Great Crane and Slip-The Grove 18C – From The Port of Bristol in the Eighteenth Century – Walter Minchinton 1962
In 1735 the Great Crane of Bristol was erected on the side of the new Mud Dock, and in the 1742 edition of his Tour, Daniel Defoe refers to this crane as being ‘the workmanship of the late ingenious Mr Padmore’. It is possible that Padmore had died a little earlier, in about 1740, for a minute of the Committee of the Society of Merchant Venturers for the 18th of October of that year notes that Mrs Padmore attended and offered to sell a crane ‘which is already made’.
The Great Crane was demolished during the building of the floating harbour in the early nineteenth century.
John Padmore Rat Tailed Crane as illustrated by DesagulierThe Grove 1869 to 1878 – Reece WinstonePBAN9287 Historical view of The Grove, taken between 1869 and 1878.
The Grove from Redcliffe Parade c mid 1870s – Bristol Museums 2307The Grove and Prince Street Bridge seen from Redcliffe 1871 – Severn Shed is visibleThe Grove 1890s – Reece WinstoneThree masted barque Precursore at Mud Dock West c1900 -Bristol Museums York Collection 5058The Grove and Welsh Back aerial 1920 – Reece WinstoneThe Grove 1921Docks Office 1927 (now Queens Square House) – Bristol ArchivesThe Grove Ferry before Redcliffe Bridge – Reece WinstoneThe Grove Ferry 1934 shortly before it discontinued. Now site of River Station. – Reece WinstonePBA571 Monmouth Coast unloading at the Grove. May 1936.PBAX1903 Tobacco barges being towed through Prince Street bridge, City Docks, c1948.
Barges loaded with hogsheads of tobacco being towed. Each barge has a ‘watcher’ on board. Tobacco unloading shed at Mud Dock on the left.
PBAP786 The Mud Dock tobacco berth prior to the demolition of the canopy.PBAN6952 Lorries being loaded with fertilizer at F Site, City Docks. Redcliffe Parade and the General Hospital can be seen in the background.PBAN3453 New tug Sea Volunteer at F Site, The Grove. C.J. King and SonsPBAP702,Crane No.18, redundant, being pulled over by scrap merchants at F Site.Sand dredger Harry Brown moored at F site, The Grove 1967 – PBAN6164River Police Station 1954 Prince Street BridgeThe site of the Grove Ferry from Redcliffe 2019Mud Dock West 1967The Grove c1975The Grove 2018Severn Shed 2019- the oldest remaining shed on the docks – built 1864 when it was called The HideMud Dock West – built 1740 and called Old Mud Dock in 1928 after Mud Dock East builtThe Thekla at Mud Dock EastMud Dock East in 2019 when The Thekla was being refitted in Albion Dockyard
Endres Gane and Pyronaut
Endres Ganeat Mud Dock West August 2020
This unpretentious house boat is moored at Mud Dock West. However, it has an interesting history.
In the early 1930s the Fire Brigade ordered two new fire-floats, Charles Hill & Sons Ltd., Albion Dockyard, Bristol, successfully tendered for both. In 1934 the Bristol Phoenix II (later renamed Pyronaut) was officially launched for Bristol City Docks, followed in 1936 by Endres Gane for Avonmouth (Western Daily Press, Saturday 17 October 1936).
Pyronaut protected Bristol Docks from 1934 to 1973, working particularly hardin the Blitz in 1940-41.
The name Endres Gane, comes from Philip Endres Gane, the proprietor of a designer furniture manufacturer in Bristol which engaged in many philanthropic ventures. The Gane family believe he was named after his uncle, Philip Endres, who was the German husband of his father’s sister Eliza, including his surname as a middle name. PE Gane was Chair of the Fire Brigade Committee for several years before his death in 1933. It is probable the committee and, his son, Crofton Gane (who was present at the launch) saw an opportunity to commemorate his father but dropped the Philip.
Endres Gane Avonmouth – courtesy of Michael Ellery
Mr Ellery,Coxwain left, Endres Gane Avonmouth – courtesy of Michael Ellery
Pyronaut fireboat in 1946 at The Grove approaching Prince Street Bridge – PBA 1104Pyronaut outside M Shed August 2020Pyronautand Mayflower outside M Shed, Princes Wharf – August 2020
