|
|
 |
~ A Potted History ~ |
|
Silloth owes its name to the monks of Holme Cultram
Abbey, a few miles to the south east, who cultivated the land, created a
salt industry and encouraged the local people to farm the Solway
Marshes. A settlement grew at Silloth; its name being derived from the
‘lathes’ (or barns) which were used to store the grain and located
close to the sea, ie: ‘Sea Lathes’.
Originally, Silloth was a small community of a few farm houses and was
noted as a safe anchorage for ships during storms. It was in the
mid-19th Century that the Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway initiated the
development of Silloth as a town.
An eminent physician declared ‘the air to be cleaner and more health
giving than anywhere else’, and coupled with the large grand hotels
that were built to accommodate visitors, Silloth became known as a
Victorian seaside resort.
Victorian visitors to Silloth would make use of the Bathing
Establishment (now the amusement arcade). The list of baths that were
available included - Hot, Cold, Shower, Swimming and Plunge baths.
Along the beach there was also a supply of bathing machines. These were
little wooden huts on wheels pulled into the sea by horses. Visitors
changed into their bathing attire inside and were able to bathe without
the inconvenience of walking to the sea. People, known as Dippers, would
coax and cajole nervous bathers out of their bathing machines into the
water.
The Pier, once adjacent to the West Beach, was completed in 1857. It was
1,000 ft long and 25 ft wide. It was free to visitors, fishermen and for
boating. Steamboats left daily for Liverpool and twice a week for
Dublin, The Isle of Man and Whitehaven. There was a railway along its
length to carry passengers and goods to and from Silloth Station. During
World War Two, lack of use led to rot and the pier was washed away by
the sea.
The Marshall Dock was opened in 1859 and adopted by the Silloth Bay
Steam Navigation Company Ltd. In 1879 the dock entrance collapsed
trapping 20 vessels inside. The New Dock was opened in 1885 and the
Marshall Dock became a tidal harbour. Much of the material excavated was
deposited nearby and it became the basis of the golf course opened in
1892.
The Convalescent Home or Sanitarium was built in 1862 for people
requiring ‘unequalled salubrity’ or pure Silloth air. It was built
to give poor people who had fever an opportunity to recuperate.
The monks of Holme Cultram developed a small port at Skinburness to
export wool from their extensive flocks. In the 13th Century there was a
considerable market town at Skinburness established by a charter of
Edward I, who used the town to supply his army on its Scottish
expeditions. Unfortunately, violent storms washed away the road and
village and the Abbot applied to the Crown in 1305 to hold a market and
fair in Newton Arlosh instead of Skinburness.
For a more detailed insight into Silloth’s past turn to
“Silloth-on-Solway: A Potted History”. Discover Silloth’s links
with the RAF and the trials and tribulations of “Tommy Legs”.
“Silloth-on-Solway: A Potted History” is available from: Silloth Tourist Information Centre, Solway Coast Discovery Centre,
Liddell Street, Silloth, Cumbria. |
|
