Hello. Long time, no see!
Sorry for the tumbleweed during January but I just haven’t had chance to publish anything over the last month. Actually, that’s not strictly true, as I did have some time a week or so ago only to find that our broadband and phone line was down. I’d presumed the gales had damaged the cable from the telegraph pole to our house (that’s happened a couple of times over the years). But it transpired that there was a fault within the copper wire spaghetti inside the green box on the main road! Only took nearly 5 days to get it fixed too.
Anyhow, above is an old photo of the prom taken in the vicinity of the lifeboat station. On the righthand side of the road is what I’m led to believe is Latta’s Boatyard. I’ve not heard of the name previously but an entry in google books seems to confirm it. Seems the official name for the boatyard was Smith Brothers but it was widely known as Latta’s. It subsequently became Crossfields when nobbies (boats for shrimping) were built there. If you’ve got any more information about Latta’s and maybe a photo do leave a comment or get in touch.
And I’ve got another request. Years ago there was a small camping accessories shop on Market Street named Smith & Jones, possibly where Rosie’s Tea Room is today. I don’t remember it but my sister does as she got some kit there for Guide camp. I was chatting to someone whose family used to own the shop and I wondered if anyone had any photos? If so, please email me at news @ hoylakejunction.com
Hopefully, I’ll publish a news update in the next couple of days. I’ll need to wade through my email inbox too.
As always, thanks for reading!
The Smith Bros took over the yard from Jack Latta (who built the Opera boats for Hoylake Sailing Club) the yard is on the site of 56 North Parade which my parents owned from the mid eighties til 2004. We were always finding boat bits in the gardens…..
Thanks for the information regarding Jack Latta, Sally. As kids in the 195os my brothers and I used to welcome Mr Latta’s regular visits to our house in Queens Road, because he’d always fish the change out of his pockets and pile the coins onto our kitchen table for us kids to share out for pocket money!
My great grandfather Samuel Smith, was a carpenter by trade, and as far as we know had gone through his apprenticeship at the Smith Brothers Yard. WIth that interest, I’ve been researching the Smith/Latta/Smith/Crosfield yard for some time – it’s still a WIP, but here are some of my findings.
Alex Latta came down from Scotland to play for Everton, became the captain, and played until in 1896 he left Everton and joined Liverpool. When he retired, shortly after, he took over the Smith Brothers yard, He was a boat builder by trade and indeed was the effective designer and builder of most of the Hoylake Opera Fleet.
I enclose some extracts from Everton’s archives, and from the general press, that show all was not well with the business, and Latta’s bankruptcy.
———————————————————————————————————
Alec Latta in financial difficulties
Tuesday, October 19 – 1897
At the Birkenhead Bankruptcy Court, to-day, Mr. Registrar Cave granted a receiving order against the estate of Alexander Latta, residing at 15, Bank-road, Hoylake, and carrying on business at the Dale Estate, Hoylake, as a yacht and boat builder. The order was made on the petition of creditors, for whom Mr.F.S.Moore appeared. Mr.E.L.Lloyd represented the debtor. An order of adjudication in bankruptcy was made at the same time. The receiving order was made in consequence of judgment creditors having advertised debtor’s effects at the yacht works for sale. It is understood that the failure has been caused through losses on yacht building contracts. The debtor will be recognised as the well-known footballer, who was formerly a prominent member of the Everton League team. (Liverpool Echo, 19-10-1897)
B A N K R U P T S .
FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE.
RECEIVING ORDERS.
Henry Ansell, 19 Canonbury Square, Islington, in the
county of London, and formerly at 8 Park Street,
Islington aforesaid, at present out of business, formerly
horse dealer and cab proprietor.
Henry Baker, 1 Whitely Road, Alexandra Road, Gipsy
Hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey, tube manufacturer’s
foreman.
J. W. White, 167 and 181 Queen Victoria Street, in the
city of London, printer.
Frederick Veysey, Bratton, C.hittlehampton, Devonshire,
cattle dealer..
Alexander Latta, residing at 13 Bank Road, Hoylake,
and carrying on business at the Dale Estate, Hoylake,
Cheshire, yacht and boat builder.
Jamea Laidlaw Shepherd, 94 Newhall Street, Birmingham,
ALEX LATTA
Latta was Everton’s regular outside right during the club’s early days in the Football League after joining the club from Dumbarton in 1889. A tall man for a winger, he represented Scotland twice and won a Championship medal in 1890-91. He also played in the 1893 FA Cup final defeat to Wolves. Latta left Everton to join Liverpool in 1896 and later retired to start his own yacht-making business.
Apps: 148 Goals: 70
Alec Latta, Hoylake
1 1895 Queer Girl C.B. Lugger 3 ½ tons Hayward & Wheeler, Southport
2 1895 Cariad Charles Livingston, Liverpool
3 1896 Swan 21.5 x 6.5 x 3 Frederick Maden, Southport
4 1896 Terror 21.5 x 6.5 x 3 Dudley Coddington, Southport
5 1897 Lady Florence 42 x 11 x 6 R Cardiff, Hoylake
6 1897 Mari Cutter 40 x 11 x 6 20 tons JRG Langdon, Hoylake
7
8
9
10
11 1900 Werewolf 20 tons Musprat and Stewart Brown
Birkenhead & Cheshire Advertiser 13.9.1902
HOYLAKE ACCIDENT
James Armitage playing around the boats at Smith Brothers Yard fell on Mari, while playing around the boats and hit his head. The boat built by Latta for the late Lieutenant J R G Langdon, she was laid up at Bonds until the yard was required by Mersey Docks and Harbour Board when she was removed to Hoylake.
Birkenhead & Cheshire Advertiser 22.8.1903
HOYLAKE FISHERMANS PERIL
A fisherman named Little of Hoylake, was rowing out to his fishing boat in a small punt when he was seized with a fit and fell overboard. Mr Alec Latta, the old captain of Everton Football Club, and manager for Messrs Smith Bros., boat builders put off in his punt and rescued him before he went under.
Birkenhead & Cheshire Advertiser 17.9.1904
HOYLAKE
The yacht and boat building shed of Smith Brothers along the promenade is set to close. The firm have decided to abandon the carpentering trade and let the shed. The boats that have been built there include:
Mari Lieut. J. R. J. Langon 20 ton yacht
Werewolf Mr Musprat 20 ton yacht
Most of the 12’ center-board class and the 16 footers belonging to Hoylake Sailing Club including the Annette, and the steam launches.
Birkenhead & Cheshire Advertiser 11.2.1905
HOYLAKE
The yacht and boat building premises of Smith Brothers is to be sold as a going concern.
Yard known as Smith Brothers (No longer Operating), formerly A Latta
Carina
Chamine
Chaperon
Frival
Lorna
Merry Widow
Molly
Seabird
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Smith Brothers reluctantly took over the yard again, keeping on Alex Latta as their manager. The Council had designated the end of Hoyle Road to be the site of their new school, next to the yard. After the school main building was built, the yard was in demand again, and a second smaller yard was built on the east side of Hoyle Road. The Council then negotiated with Smith brothers to buy the original yard, and the smaller building to the west of the main school was built on the site.. The “new” yard was sold off to Crosfields, and Alex Latta went to work for Rutherfords in Birkenhead.
The site of the “New” yard was prime building land, so Crosfields sold up. Any photographs of the yard, or its’ boats, would be very welcome.
Hi Chris interesting details, are you researching to publish
I am interested in local boatyards like Bonds etc can you recommend
Any publications on builders of the Dreadnought 12’ class from west Kirby ?
Hi Michael,
No intention of putting publication together- just data I’d picked up during family history searching – plus my own interest in boats.
I have owned two Hilbres, my first No 35 “Hilo” was wrecked in 2007, my second (Hilbre No 12 Hippo) and both were Sam Bond built boats. I have 1960 photos of Hippo being built and launched from the Tranmere works.
I haven’t delved into the Dreadnoughts much, but know the owner of “Royal Oak”, the only one still in commission. There are still a couple of people I know who sailed in the Dreadnoughts as youngsters – but I’m not in touch with them at present.
Thank Chris, I’ve just bought Royal Oak
RIght, well I knew the owner then!
Good luck with her – I’ve a lovely photo I took of her upside down in the roof of the old WKSC boatshed, where she lay for many years..
I’ve also been looking through some of my photos for Bond’s and have some from the 1930’s of Mersey Restricted’s being launched after wintering at Tranmere, and one of the Bond’s team in 1936.
PS – I very nearly bought her myself just before Robbie did, because Royal Oak had been owned by Tom, then Joy Porter – who was the original owner of Hippo in 1960. I thought it would be nice to get the two boats back together after so many years- but my wife persuaded me not to take on too much………
I also have an Opera Princess Ida
I sail at Southport, I was trying to find some bond photos or records. History of West Lancs Yatch club has some good info, let me know what you find thanks
I also have an Opera Princess Ida
I sail at Southport, I was trying to find some bond photos or records. History of West Lancs Yatch club has some good info, let me know what you find thanks
OK, how can I get in touch Mike – there’s lots of information about for the Opera’s, and I have several albums of photos from various sources for “Mersey based” yachts.
Xtractif at aol.com
My Dad did his apprenticeship with Bonds in the late 50s, he was still in touch with Sammy and visited him on occasion
Hi Sally do you have any photos or records?
Hi Sally,
If your Dad was working there in 1959 and 1960, he may well be in a couple of photos I have of the first rigging and launch of Hippo.
Chris.. did you use to be at Calday Grammar School in the mid 60s?
Mason Edwards
Yes Mason – 1958 to 1965 – I remember you. I even remember sailing in your cadet a couple of times.
Chris.
Hi Chris. Glad I have finally thanked you for letting me know the number of my Cadet dinghy – which appears in one of the prints i have done for Seagrass Gallery in Acacia Grove, West KIrby. I did try to reply a few years ago but i think I did it the wrong way!
I remember you and your Dad who, I think, was architect for Wirral/Wallasey Council, My sailing days did not last long as I pranged the boat on the Marine Lake, and rapidly lost interest. On top of that I stored the boat at the old station yard up the hill from the sailing club and by the end of the day I was worn out after dragging it up and down..
We still visit West Kirby and Hoylake and I have made several prints of
West KIrby and Hoylake stations. Ahh the magic of railways!
Best wishes, mason. (Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes)
Hi Chris – I’ve found this fascinating. Do you still, by any chance, own Hippo?
My late grandfather owned her at one time and my father and uncles sailed her a lot!
Hi Sophie,
Yes, the lovely Hippo is still mine. Back in July / August last year I complied a DVD with over a thousand photos of Hilbres – with lots of Hippo – for James Duncan, who I’d guess is your father / uncle.
James had written to the Hilbre Association, requesting some information. They had asked me to reply and I suspect he got a lot more than he expected……
“compiled” not complied…
Fascinating! Well done Chris… Amazing detail.
Mason Edwards
I’ll ask him Chris – he’s still making Opera boats from scratch – and I’m sure he was there in 59/60 as he would have been 15 or 16 years old, he finds all this kind of thing as fascinating as I do!!
Hi Sal
Is your dad Called Alan T?
He is indeed! I’ll try and get him into this site when I speak to him next!
Hi Sal I bought his old Princess Ida which I’m still working on
Hi Sal
Please could you ask your dad if he built any international 12 or has any drawings or records of them
Thanks
Hi Michael , Dad was at Bonds from 1959 til he finished his three year apprenticeship. He says there was only one international 12 built whilst he was there and he doesn’t have any paperwork related to them unfortunately- he does have a copy of the photo of the the launch of the Hippo and yes he’s on it too!!
Thanks Sal,
Chris sent me a picture of the hippo launch see if I can spot him
Hi Sal does your dad know when Bonds became Enterprise small craft company or Enterprise motorboat company
Thanks Mike