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Seacombe

SEACOMBE, with Poolton, a township, in the parish of Wallasey, union, and Lower division of the hundred, of Wirrall, S. division of the county of Chester, ¾ of a mile (W. by N.), by ferry, from Liverpool; containing 2446 inhabitants. This township is bounded on the east by the river Mersey, on the north by Liscard, and on the south by Wallasey Pool; and comprises 669a. 23p., mostly arable and pasture land, and chiefly of a clay soil. Being situated opposite to Liverpool (to which a steam-boat plies every half hour), there is a fine view of that town and its vicinity; while in another direction are seen the Cheshire hills and the Welsh mountains. The village is situated on Wallasey Pool, and overlooks Oxton hill, Birkenhead, &c.; it is remarkable for the salubrity of its air. Much land has been reclaimed in the township, by the Birkenhead Dock Commissioners.

Here are very extensive works of various kinds. The Seacombe Copper and Patent-Metal Mills (the latter carried on under a patent formerly belonging to G. F. Muntz, Esq.) were established in 1836, by Messrs. John Bibby and Sons, of Liverpool, and Messrs. Sims, Willyams, and Company, of London. These mills employ between eighty and ninety hands in making sheathing for ships' bottoms, braziery sheets, locomotive plates, sugar-pans, air-pumps, rods, and all kinds of hammered and flat work. They are worked by two engines of the united power of 130 horses; are supplied with fresh water from artesian wells 22 yards deep; and being conveniently situated on the bank of Wallasey Pool, vessels can always come up to the quay with the materials brought from the company's works at St. Helen's and in Wales. About 1600 tons of manufactured copper and patent metal are issued hence yearly for home consumption, and for exportation to Calcutta, Bombay, Boston, New York, and most parts of the world. The Seacombe Smalt-Works are in the occupation of Mr. Mawdesley and Messrs. Mawdesley and Smith. The manufacture was first established here, though on a much smaller scale, about forty years ago, by Messrs. Home and Stackhouse, merchants of Liverpool. It was afterwards continued by a company called the Seacombe Company; next by a Mr. Craven; and more recently by Messrs. Rawlins and Mawdesley, in whose hands the manufacture of the article in this country may be said to have first succeeded. A foundry is also carried on.

At the eastern extremity of the township is the station of the ancient ferry, with a large hotel. The ferry, which is the property of R. Smith, Esq., the reputed lord of the manor, has a good supply of steam-boats; and the hotel is furnished with a bowling-green, a billiard-room, and every accommodation. The rapid tide occasioned by the inlet of Wallasey Pool, rendered the landing inconvenient until the erection of a stage, of a very uncommon construction, worked by means of a moveable steam-engine, upon a tramway. To the south of the ferry, a row of pleasant houses now faces the Mersey, and the shore is crested with elegant residences. Henry Winch, Esq., a magistrate of the county, resides here; and the Rev. James Mainwaring, M.A., of Bromborough Hall, is a large proprietor in the township. Poolton village, which lies a mile up Wallasey Pool, from its situation in a small cove bordered with flourishing trees, and the rural simplicity of its houses, forms a pleasing contrast to the activity and bustle prevailing at the ferry.

A church, dedicated to St. Paul, was erected by subscription, at a cost of £1800, from designs by Mr. John Hay, of Liverpool, and consecrated in 1847. It stands at the intersection of four new roads, about 500 yards from the Seacombe hotel; and is in the early English style, with a tower surmounted by an ornamented spire. Though not remarkable for elaborate decoration, it is of admirable proportions, which are strictly maintained throughout the entire building; the open roof is at once eminently scientific and extremely simple. Seats are provided for about 500 persons, on low benches, all invidious distinction between those that are free and those appropriated being avoided. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with the interest of £1000; patrons, the Rector of Wallasey (who had the first presentation), Mr. Winch, and three other Trustees. The tithes of the township have been commuted for £137, equally divided between the rector of the parish and the Rev. W. Armitstead. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans; also an infants' school; and a dispensary, and some minor institutions, have been established. Iserene, with magnetic sand, prominently noticed by Dr. Trail, late of Liverpool, is to be seen along the coast from Seacombe Point to the Rock lighthouse, oozing from under the bed of clay, and streaking the shoresand black: the magnetic sand is easily attracted by the magnet.


Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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