West Dock Gallery

The West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company was amalgamated with the larger North Eastern Railway Co. The terms were finalised on 1 July 1865. Between 1867 and 1870 Ralph Ward Jackson, Robinson Watson and others co-owned vessels with the Company.

Tug 'West Dock' at West Hartlepool in 1850. From a woodcut in Cuthbert Sharp's 'History of Hartlepool'.

As well as being known as the founder of West Hartlepool, Ralph Ward Jackson had many business and property interests. He had shares in several sailing vessels both with individuals and companies. He was involved with the West Hartlepool Shipping Company formed in 1849 and when that ceased trading he transferred his interests in 1854 to the West Hartlepool Harbour and Railway Company and bought a small fleet of ships. This Company was the forerunner to the WHSNC which was formed in 1856. Between 1867 and 1870 he co-owned vessels with the North Eastern Railway Company.

Official No. 26146: Code Letters PJWB.

Owners: 1849 Ralph Ward Jackson (Greatham) Robinson Watson (Stockton-on-Tees) & Cuthbert Wigham, West Hartlepool; 1860 Ralph Ward & William Charles Ward Jackson & Robinson Watson, Hartlepool; 1867 Ralph Ward Jackson, Robinson Watson & North Eastern Railway Co; 1868 John Cleghorn (York) West Hartlepool; by 1874-83 John Shepherd & James Morgan (North Shields) West Hartlepool.

Masters: 1849-55 Thomas Sharpe; 1870 Thomas Fiddler (died April 1870 aged 62) 1883 James Morgan.

10 March 1875 the West Dock was towing was assisting to tow the Laura Gillies up the Rriver from Shields to Gateshead when she was run into by the tug William and Jane belong to John W Robson of Blaydon. Both vessels were damaged, but the West Dock suffered the most. She was repaired by R Findley & So, engineers of North Shields. A suit was made against the owner of the William & Jane & all repair costs were awarded to the owner of the West Dock, James Morgan.

West Dock was lying at Whitehill Point when on 12 May 1883 the boiler exploded. After the steam had cleared away it was found that the side of the steamer had blown out & she was sinking so she was run ashore. She was broken up at North Shields in 1883.