In 1848 Luke Blumer and Son started shipbuilding although they were primarily a ship repairing company. This sometimes included buying ships which had been stranded or wrecked, repairing them, and selling them for profit. They only built new ships when business was quiet, in order to keep their workforce employed. The company traded under Luke Blumer & Son, George Blumer and lastly George Blumer & Son. (John George Blumer) George died in 1867 and the business closed.

Luke and George also owned and had shares in sailing ships. Some are only recorded in their names for a short while so were probably those they repaired but others were owned for a longer period. All were registered in Hartlepool whilst under their ownership. As well as those listed below there was the brig Merchant built in 1807 at Stockton. They purchased the brig in April 1850 and sold her in June 1850 to Hartlepool owners. In December 1852 she was sold to Hull owners. The brig Hannah Mary (official no. 22497) was built in 1835 in Germany and purchased by Luke Blumer and John Owen in 1853. She sank at Margate on 11 December 1868. The brig Tees (official no. 5089) was built by Mellanby at Stockton in 1825 and purchased by George in April 1856. She ran ashore  and was wrecked on the Woolpack Sands on 8 July 1856. The snow Thorndale (official no. 22444) was built by Lister & Bartram, Sunderland in 1842 and purchased by Luke and George in January 1851. She was sold to Hartlepool and London owners in February 1852. She was eventually wrecked near Denmark in 1860.The snow Zior (official no. 5165) was built at Sunderland in 1829 and was purchased by Luke and George from W.G. and R.H. Jackson in April 1855. She was sold to R. Hutchinson, Hartlepool  and was wrecked at Fecamp in January 1867. The snow Concord (official no. 34804) was built by Thomas and Benjamin Tiffin, Monkwearmouth in 1840. She was purchased by George in March 1862 and sold to Hartlepool owners in October of that year. She foundered in the North Sea on 26 September1872. The brig Mabel (official no. 22270) was built at Sunderland in 1838. She was purchased by Luke from William Gray and James Robson in 1852 and sold on to Hartlepool owners in 1864. After springing a leak she was abandoned off Norway on 24 October 1870. The brig Margaret was built at St. Martin's, New Brunswick in 1822 and was purchased by Luke in 1845. She was wrecked near Borton, U.S.A. on 18 April 1852. The brig Robinson (official no. 5174) built at Sunderland in 1842 was purchased by Luke and George in  in June 1850 and sold to William Lisle of Hartlepool in July 1850.

Family History:

Luke Blumer was born at South Shields on 27^th November 1793 to parents Luke (born 1757 in Austria) and Ann (nee Bradford) Blumer. He married Margaret Wheatley on 3^rd November 1816 at Jarrow and they had three sons. Margaret died aged 32 in 1825. Luke then married Mary Burnett at Tynemouth on 25^th November 1826 and they had one daughter. Mary died aged 80 in 1872.

Luke was a ship surveyor for the Port of Hartlepool and was a member of Hartlepool Town Council.

Luke died aged 80 at Rift House, Hartlepool on 19^th December 1874 leaving effects of under £2000.

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George Blumer was born on 11^th October 1817 at South Shields to parents Luke and Margaret (nee Wheatley) Blumer. He married Clementina South at Ramsey, Essex on 11^th October 1843. She died at Victoria Place, Hartlepool on 3^rd March 1848. George then married Elizabeth Garritt on 17^th July 1849.

George died aged 50 at Hartlepool on 27^th December 1867 leaving effects of under £7000.

Obituary in the Shields Daily Gazette – Monday 30 December 1867.

On Friday morning, at about half-past four o'clock, one of the most highly-gifted of the few public men of the borough of Hartlepool, after a lingering and painful illness, succumbed to his “last enemy," when Mr George Blumer, shipbuilder, departed this life. Although it some weeks since many of his nearest friends, even those who would " hope against hope " so long as hope were possible, have had to regard his dissolution as too certain, we doubt not the intelligence of his decease will come with all the shock of sad and sudden information to many who knew the buoyant and resolute spirit more than the feeble frame of their departed friend. Mr Blumer was born of highly respectable parentage in South Shields, in the year 1817. He served an apprenticeship to the wooden shipbuilding trade, with the eminent builder, James Laing, of Sunderland; and, subsequently, in partnership with his father, Mr Luke Blumer (who survives him), at Harwich, until some seventeen years ago (when removed to Hartlepool), and more recently in conjunction with his eldest son, Mr John George Blumer, carried on the same business. He was also, to some extent, within the last ten years, engaged in the iron-trade, and was one of the partners in the firm of Blumer, Barr, and Co., which established the large iron-foundry for some time and carried on in that name at West Hartlepool. Mr Blumer was twice married. His first wife was Miss Clementina South, of Harwich, who died very shortly after removal to Hartlepool; his second partner in life, and faithful companion to its close, Miss Elizabeth Garritt, of Hartlepool, by whom he had one son, and three daughters. These and two sons by the first marriage are all survivors. Though ten years of the seventeen Mr Blumer has resided at Hartlepool have been those of valetudinarian, he has left behind him the memory of a manly character, a pious nature, and of a vigorous intellect, never more fully developing its power than when impelled by the desire to benefit his fellow-men; and, in public as in private life, he won respect even where he could not present claims to sympathy on the ground of similarity of sentiments. In religious views he was follower of John Wesley, and continued through life a steadfast adherent of the evangelical doctrines imbibed in his youth. The section of the Wesleyan family with which he was latterly most closely associated was that known as the Methodist New Connexion and both his labours for the erection of the new chapel of that body in Church-close, and for his zealous ministrations as one of the lay-officers of the society, he was highly esteemed by the members of that communion, for whom on the other hand he entertained the most ardent attachment, as was evinced by liberal and self-denying support. In politics, again, his views were strongly marked; and they were ever advanced with frankness and freedom that evoked admiration for his honesty and fortitude even from political opponents. Mr Blumer had many of the gifts of the orator. He was a well-read man, had a ready command of the wealthy vocabulary of his mother-tongue; and such were his powers of utterance that the political platform and the hustings in Hartlepool have seldom been the witnesses of such triumphs as those achieved by himself. We have reason to believe that it was only Mr Blumer's resolute determination not to participate the arts by which municipal elections were formerly carried in Hartlepool that prevented the honour of his being elected to the Council his adopted and a further evidence of the esteem in which he was held was his recent nomination to Borough Bench—positions of honour and trust which were on his part wholly unsolicited. In all the relations of life, in short, he gained the respect and attachment of those by whom he was surrounded; and the measure of his strength was the measure of his usefulness. A more honourable record never furnished the material for honest epitaph. Mr George Blumer has lived a life of eminent piety, and eminent usefulness, and his end was peace

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John George Blumer was born at Harwich, Essex in 1845 to parents George and Clemintina (nee South) Blumer. He married Julia Edith Walford at Chappel Davenport in March 1871. John was a colliery agent and the family lived in Darlington. They moved to the USA in 1886 and John died aged 73 on 24^th December 1918 at California. He was interred at San Gabriel Cemetery, California.

Ships Robert Hutchinson owned or had shares in from approximate dates were: 1851 Glory; 1853 Ivanhoe; 1855 Atlantic; 1857 Newport; 1864 Earl Bathurst; 1864 Argo; 1864 Ravensworth; 1867 Fanny; 1867 Penelope; 1867 Solon; 1867 Zior; 1868 Astley; 1870 Markwell; 1871 Abbotts Reading; 1873 Catherine Roberts; 1873 Ipswich; 1874 Williams; 1874 Malvina.

Other shareholders were: John Dennis; Thomas Hogarth; Joseph Peacock; Joseph Pearson; Nesswell Lowther; Matthew Boyes; John Furness; William Young; Michael Pennock Lund.

Family Histories of Shareholders:

John Dennis was born at Thorne, Yorkshire on 1^st October 1815 to parents John (chaise driver) and Mary (nee Threader) Dennis. John started out as an apprentice aboard ship in May of 1829 in the coasting trade working his way up to a seaman, mate and gaining his master’s certificate in 1851 (C.N. 38528). He was master of the Ivanhoe on voyages between 1853 and 1855 and the Glory between May 1850 and 1859. Already a widower himself he married a widow, Ellen Russell, at Whitby on 1^st June 1843. In 1851 the couple were living at Scarborough Street, West Hartlepool with John listed as a shipbroker. Ellen died aged 44 on 23 January 1862. John was then married at Hull on 4 February 1864 to Mrs Anne Remmington. By 1881 John had retired from shipbroking and the couple were living at Eskdaleside.

John died at Sleights, Eskdaleside on 12^th April 1883 leaving effects of £515 17s. 6d. His widow, Ann, died aged 69 at Sleights on 25th June 1886.

Ships John had shares in from approximate dates were: 1851 Glory; 1853 Ivanhoe; 1855 Atlantic; 1862 Ava; 1864 Argo; 1865 M. Racer.

Other shareholders were: Robert Hutchinson; Thomas Hogarth; Joseph Peacock; William Young

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Joseph Peacock was born on 22 November 1818 at Whitby. On the1841 census he is living with Jane Peacock who may be his grandmother as she is aged 70. Joseph married Dorothy Featherstone on 9^th April 1846 at Stockton-on-Tees. In 1851 the couple were living at York Place, Hartlepool and by 1861 at Exeter Street, Stranton. In 1871 the family was living at Alma Place, West Hartlepool with Joseph away at sea. The couple had five children during their marriage. Joseph went to sea as an apprentice in December 1840 and worked his way up to master (C.N. 8472). On 3 April 1881 he was master on the brig Lucy (Official No. 11855) moored at Woolwich.

In the National Probate Register of October 1890 Joseph is described as living at Seaton Carew and working as a grocer so he must have retired from the sea sometime after 1881. He died aged 72 on 31 July 1890 leaving effects of £212.

Headstone inscription in Holy Trinity Churchyard at Seaton Carew.

'Dorothy wife of Joseph Peacock Master Mariner born 15 April 1820 died 15 July 1888 & above Joseph of Seaton Carew born 22 November 1818 died 31 July 1890 also Aina Emma their daughter born 15 October 1855 died 17 March 1923 also Emma their daughter died at Middlesbrough 24 August 1854 aged 5 also Susannah their daughter died at West Hartlepool 16 December 1934 aged 75 years.'

Joseph was master and had part shares in the following Hartlepool registered ships from approximate dates: 1858 Atlantic (master from 1858 to 1865); 1867 Solon (master from 1870 to 1873); 1873 Ipswich (master from 1873 to 1876); 1878 Earl of Sunderland (master in 1880).

Other shareholders were: John Dennis; Robert Hutchinson; William Young.

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Matthew Boyes was born in May 1821 at Whitby to Ann (nee Dawson) and Matthew Boyes. He went to sea as an apprentice in about 1838 and worked his way up to ship master. Matthew married Elizabeth Farndale on 11^th November 1844 at Stockton-on-Tees and in 1851 the couple were living at Yarm. In 1861 Matthew was master of the Ellen of Whitby and his wife was living with their daughter at Milton Road, West Hartlepool. In 1871 the couple were living with their daughter, Dinah (now Hough), at 6 Milton Street/Road, West Hartlepool. By 1891 Matthew was retired and living with his daughter and her family at 1 Milton Street, West Hartlepool.

Matthew died on 23^rd May 1893 leaving effects of £30. His widow, Elizabeth, died aged 65 in January 1889.

Ships Matthew had shares in from approximate dates were: 1857 Tweed of Whitby (master 1857 to 1859); 1858 Newport (master 1858 to 1860); 1880 Primrose.

Other shareholders were: John Ripley (Whitby); Robert Hutchinson.

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Nesswell Lowther was born on 24^th February 1829 at Loftus to parents Elizabeth (nee Pennock) and George Lowther. He married Tamar Clark in 1855 at Stockton-on-Tees and the couple lived at 9 York Street, West Hartlepool until their deaths. Nesswell was a master mariner certificate no. 82250. He had sailed on Whitby ships and then Hartlepool ships. He was master of the Biferous when she was wrecked in April 1861 and was then master of the Ivanhoe from 1862 until 1870.

Nesswell died aged 64 at West Hartlepool on 23^rd March 1893 leaving effects of £411. His widow, Tamar, died aged 78 in August 1908.

Ships Nesswell had shares in from approximate dates were: 1860 Biferous; 1864 Ivanhoe;

Other shareholders were: Henry, John and Thomas Braine (Greenwich); Robert Hutchinson.

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Thomas Hogarth was born on 25^th October 1825 at Whitby. He married Ann Jefferson in 1851 at Whitby. Thomas began his working life as an apprentice on the Alpha of Whitby in 1838. He received his mate’s certificate no. 61576 in 1854. By 1861 Thomas was living at York Street, Hartlepool with his wife and four children. In 1873 the family were living at 19 Frederick Street, Hartlepool.

Thomas was master of the Glory in 1859 and master and part owner of the Argo when he died on 18th November 1873 at Rouen, France leaving effects of under £200.

Robert Hutchinson was also part owner of the Argo.

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John Furness was born in 1837 at West Hartlepool to parents Averill Easter (nee Wilson) and John Furness. He married Anne Peacock on 22^nd May 1859 at Lynn Street, West Hartlepool and the couple resided at The Laurels, Rift House Farm, West Hartlepool. In the 1881 census John was described as a cattle dealer. He was one of the first importers of cattle from the Continent and U.S.A and was the brother of Sir Christopher Furness M.P. of Hartlepool.

John died aged 65 on 4th June 1902 leaving effects of £5,470.

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Michael Pennock Lund was born in July 1836 at Whitby to parents Dorothy Pennock (Elliott) and John Lund. Michael married Georgina Metcalf in 1860 at Hartlepool. He was mate on the Hartlepool vessels John Buddle in 1856 and the Endeavour in 1857. He was also mate on various Whitby vessels before obtaining his master’s certificate no. 14794 in 1861. At that time he and his wife were living at No. 1. near the gas works at West Hartlepool. By 1881 the couple were living at Reed Street Hartlepool with their six children.

Michael died aged 63 at London on 17 April 1900. His widow, Georgina died at West Hartlepool in 1940.

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.