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Selected photographs from the archives of

Morecambe Bay

Morecambes unrivalled views of the Lakeland hills soon attracted the workers of Yorkshire and Lancashire to enjoy day trips or their summer holidays. The name Morecambe was adopted in 1889 combining the small towns of Poulton-le-Sands, Bare and Torrsholme. Bordering Heysham where back in 1900 a four year project to build a £3,000,000 harbour was undertaken by 2000 workers. The two housing areas used by the workers were called 'Klondyke' and Dawson City' as a tribute to the famous Gold Rush at that time. Many local traders used hand carts from Morecambe to make their deliveries.

The seas have taken their toll over the years on various projects undertaken at Morecambe including The Pier, but the strength of the people and the committement of the local authorities have made Morecambe one of the UK's most popular holiday resorts, enjoyed by different people throughout the world.

  THE BAY, MORECAMBE

The promenade at Morecambe was directly at the end of the new Midland Railway Station.

You can see the horse drawn carriages and even a horse drawn tram, eagerly awaiting passengers from the station to take them to their holiday accommodation.

No exhaust fumes or greenhouse effect in those days but plenty of good stuff for the garden, providing you brought a shovel!
 JENNY BROWN'S POINT, SILVERDALE

This photograph was taken back in 1912 (about lunch time!) and shows the remains of an old copper smelting mill. The copper was mined locally, mixed with tin to make bronze.

Sometimes technology does improve working conditions!

  

 THE MIDLAND STATION MORECAMBE

 Taken around 1907 the photograph shows the typical clothing and atmosphere of the times.

Encountering problems with separate waiting rooms for first and second class passengers and with the Ladies waiting rooms being on the opposite side of the building. Many travellers did not like this class/sexist attitude and they waited in the open areas.

The Station still exist today housing the Tourist Information Centre, the Platform concert hall and a Public House and Wacky Warehouse for the Kids... You'll love it.

  
 
  THE SUMMER GARDENS, MORECAMBE In 1878 this magnificent site was opened, covering some 30 acres with delightful gardens, ornamental walks, flower bed, terraces and conservatories. Activities were freely available including: lawn tennis, croquet, bowling greens areas for football, cricket and other sports. You could spend days here in total relaxation or build up a sweat in one of the many activities.

The Pavilion held a massive 10,000 people, quite a feet for the late 1800's.

In 1905 part of the grounds were sold off and remained derelict until Regent Park was opened on part of the gardens.
  

THE WAVELETS

Performed at the Harbour Pavilion in 1918 under the direction of Charles Howard.

From left to right : Phyllis Ellerton (pianist), Charles Howard (comedian and entertainer), Laura Baines (soubrette).
Front: Eva Rence (dancer and monologue), Jack Mavis (comedian and dancer), Evelyn Dearne (soprano), Mark Cooper (comedian) and Ada Brookes (comedienne and mimic).
  
The Tower Morecambe
 

The Tower was built in 1898
standing some 232ft high. Demolished at the beginning of the
First World War and the steel was used in munitions.

The Pavilion held over 5000 spectators.
It was finally closed in 1959

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THE GREAT STORM, MORECAMBE, March 1907

The greatest ever recorded storm at Morecambe, the tide rose an estimated 29ft at its height and produced unbelievable damage to the Stone Pier, workshops, garden walls, stone pillars etc. It took a great deal of courage by the people to rebuild their lives and return to normal after this soul destroying natural disaster

Another severe storm happened in 1927.

 There
She
Blows

 MOBY DICK was built at Glasson Dock, and registered at the Port of Lancaster in 1887 as the Ryelands. She was acquired by the film industry, and in 1950 appeared in Treasure Island. In 1954 was purchased by Elstree Pictures Ltd for part her part in Moby Dick.

She returned to Glasson Dock in 1960 and was moored in Morecambe, opposite Brucciani's, it was a popular attraction for visitors to Morecambe. Sadly she was destroyed in minutes by a fire in 1972, disappearing in a heartbreaking flame of glory. The fame and fortune she had enjoyed sailing the high seas for over 83 years had come to an end.
 
 
  WEST END PIER, MORECAMBE

Opened in 1896

The Pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1915.

In 1927 another severe storm nearly broke the pier in half.

Photographed in 1910

 
Fishermen Trawling for shrimps in the Ulverton Channel. Picture from 1950s.

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If you would like to see more of the old Morecambe, an interesting book called
''The Archive Photographs Series Morecambe Bay compiled by Robert Alston''

is available from Morecambe Library or good book shops
Published by the Chalford Publishing Company Ltd. St Mary's Mill, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 8NX