Woolpack / Ship at Launch, Wivenhoe
Wivenhoe pub history index
Renamed the Ship at Launch in 1782. The first known reference to the Woolpack is in 1728; with the new name in 1781 similarly reflected Wivenhoe's increasing role as a shipbuilding centre. It was the back buildings of this pub that were converted circa 1750 to become the Wivenhoe 'Baths'; there is an 1828 Indenture which refers to 'a tenement used as a Public House formerly called the Woolpack and now known by the name or sign of the Ship At Launch, together with the Storehouses Granary and Warehouse theretofore, converted into a stable and Bath, with the Quay rights to the same, formerly in the several occupations of Abraham Rayner and Thomas Tunmer Surgeon.... The purchasers in 1833 were Cobbold & Co. of Colchester, at £530. From them it passed to C.Stopes & Son in 1883 and then to the Colchester Brewing Co. Sales became very poor in the 1890s and 1900s (with a low point of only 12 barrels in 1899 !), so it was perhaps no surprise when the pub closed in 1910. The main building was sold in 1916 for £120, but was demolished soon afterwards.
Ship at Launch in circa 1810
Kindly provided by Timothy Walker
Residents at this address
by 1769/Abraham Rayner/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1769 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as Abraham Rayne, at the Woolpack, Wivenhoe.
The licensee in 1772 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as Abraham Rayner, at the Woolpack, Wivenhoe.
1776/John Jaggard/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1776 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as John Jaggard, at the Woolpack, Wivenhoe.
1779/Joseph Neale/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1784 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as Joseph Neale, at the Ship at Launch, Wivenhoe.
The licensee in 1792 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as Joseph Neal, at the Ship at Launch, Wivenhoe.
1799/James Simpson/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1801 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as James Simpson, at the Ship at Launch, Wivenhoe.
1802/William Parish/../../../.. **
I am researching my Family History in the village of Wivenhoe. William Powell was the Licensee of the Ship at Launch at Wivenhoe certainly between 1810 and 1813. I have attached a drawing I have of the pub at that time as I have written a book on the family. The Powell family moved to Great Yarmouth Norfolk and became very successful publicans/hoteliers later.
1800-1813/William Powell/Licensee & Mariner/../Great Oakley, Essex/Family*
1800-1813/Elizabeth Powell/Wife/../../Family
The licensee in 1804 and 1806 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as William Parish, at the Ship at Launch.
1810/William Powell/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1810 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as William Powell, at the Ship at Launch.
1814/John Kidby/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1816 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as John Kidby, at the Ship at Launch.
1818/Matthew Brook/../../../.. **
1819/William Baxter/../../../.. **
The licensee in 1825 was recorded on the Alehouse Recognizances as William Baxter, at the Ship at Launch.
1828-9/William Baxter/../../../Pigot's
1828/Samuel Wade/../../../.. **
1830/Charles Harris/../../../.. **
1832-3/Charles Harris/../../../Pigot's
1836/George Chamberlain/../../../.. **
1839/George Chamberlain/../../../Pigot's
1845/George Chamberlain/../../../Post Office
1848/George Chamberlain/../../../White's
1850/Elizabeth Chamberlain/../../../.. **
1851/Elizabeth Chamberlain/Innkeeper/55/East Donyland, Essex/Census***
1851/Elizabeth C. Chamberlain/Daughter/16/Wivenhoe, Essex/Census
1851/Maryann Turner/Servant/21/Wivenhoe, Essex/Census
1855/G Chamberlain/../../../Post Office
1862/Thomas Frosgate/../../../Kelly's
1867/Thomas Frosgate/../../../Post Office
1870/Thomas Frosgate/../../../Kelly's
1871/Thomas Frosgate/../../../Post Office
In 1871 at the Ship At Launch, QuayWivenhoe, Lexden
Joseph Blyth, Mariner aged 49 and born in Wivenhoe Essex
Ann Blyth, Wife aged 49 and born in Rochford Essex
1870/Joseph Blyth/mariner/../../.. **
18** to 1890/Ann Wilhemina Blyth/../../../.. **
by 1901 to 1909/Arthur John Wade jr/Mariner/../../.. **
In 1901 at the (Ship & Launch), The Quay, Wivenhoe, Lexden,
Arthur J Wade, Carpenter ships aged 45 and born in Colchester, Essex
Emma Wade, Wife aged 42 and born in Fingringhoe, Essex
Arthur Wade, Son aged 20 and born in Rowhedge, Essex
Walter Wade, Son, Iron shipbuilder (plater) aged 18 and born in Rowhedge, Essex
Daisy Wade, Daughter aged 16 and born in Rowhedge, Essex
Alfred Wade, Son aged 12 and born in Rowhedge, Essex
Violet Wade, Daughter aged 9 and born in Rowhedge, Essex
Edward Wade, Son aged 8 1893 and born in Rowhedge, Essex
Alfred Bennell, Boarder, Marine engine fitter aged 21 and born in Colchester, Essex
1902/Arthur John Wade/Beer Retailer/../../.. **
1906/Arthur John Wade/../../../Kelly's
1908/Arthur John Wade/../../../Kelly's
* Provided by Michael Powell
** Provided by Peter Kay
*** Provided by Essex Villages
Provided by Timothy Walker
PUB HISTORY