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Long Reach
Dartford
Above photo, circa 1900, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe. |
Above photo, 1938 showing licensee Jack Salmon. |
Above photo circa 1930s. |
Above photo, date unknown. |
Above photo showing the bar, date unknown. |
This was a tied "Fleet Brewery"
pub in 1865 when the brewery was put up for auction.
It was said that the "Long Reach Tavern" was Sartford's closest pub to
the Thames. In 1939 there was a gathering of people assembled to see the
passing of the RMS Mauretania.
Gathering outside the "Long Reach Tavern" 1939. |
RMS Mauretania 1939. |
Above painting by Eric Baker, 1950, kindly sent by Nigel Baker. |
The "Long Reach Tavern" closed in June 1957 and the building demolished
after a fire broke out in the building when flood defences were built in the
area.
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Information from
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk by Roger Button.
The Long Reach Tavern was a riverside inn on the River Thames at Dartford in Kent, it was
noted for bare knuckle fighting back in the 19th century. It was badly
damaged in the floods of 1953 and the decision to pull it down was made
by Dartford Council, which was very sad. It was a delightful place to
visit. In WW1 it was very close to a small aerodrome used by the Royal
Flying Corps, so it had a fair amount of historical interest. It was
mainly used by barges and tug boat crews, as having its own jetty was
very amenable.
Tony Draper.
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Kentish Independent, Saturday, 22 May 1847.
Petty Sessions.
James Bryce, landlord of the "White House'" Long Reach, Dartford, was
charged with assaulting Charles Henry Simmons, hair-dresser, 49, Old
Street Road, near Shoreditch, on the 27th of April. Also with assaulting
William Prentice, 30, Pitfield Street, Hoxton on the same day.
(Not sure whether there is a mistake here,
as I don't know of a "White House" I do know of a "White
Horse," but do know James Bryce was licensee of the "Long Reach
Tavern" in 1847.)
A gentleman from London, whose name we did not hear, conducted the case
of complainants, and A Russell, Esq., that of defendant.
The case of C. H. Simmons was taken first, who being sworn, and the
witnesses on each side desired to leave the court, deposed:- On Tuesday
the 27th of April, I went with a party of friends to Gravesend by
steamboat. We returned from Gravesend to defendant's house by land; we
walked along the shore; remained there about two hours, and had some
refreshment. When we were about returning to town, there was a waterman
at the house who was engaged to take us to the steamboat. When we went
down the causeway to the boat we found two boats, one on each side of
the one we had engaged to prevent us going by it. A rope was thrown from
the boat to us on shore that we might pull it nearer. When that was done
some one tried to cut it with a clasp knife. I told him not to do so,
for it was wrong. In a little time we got into the boat, there were
eight of us. Bryce said, with an oath, we should not go from there safe,
when a man who was standing in the stern of one of the boats harpooned
our boat with the boat-hook, and made a hole in the side of it. Some of
my friends then jumped into one of the boats at the side, because the
water was coming fast into our boats. One of the men then struck me with
the boat-hook on my elbow, which was followed by several blows, which is
all I can remember till I came to myself, when I found my shoulder
dislocated, and my clothes dripping wet and very muddy, and the
boat-hook had been thrust into my leg.
By the Court:- Bruce was standing in the water, and pulled me over the
side of the boat by my head and arms.
Complainant produced the clothes he had on at the time, which showed
that great violence have been used, and that they had been saturated
with water.
His solicitor putting a certificate from the surgeon of the hospital
where the shoulder had been set, and a bill of costs, which was objected
to by Mr. Russell, and not entertained by the Courts.
Cross-examined by Mr. Russell:- I am I hairdresser, I do not know the
name of the steamer our party went to Gravesend in. We went from
Blackwall. It was one of the regular Gravesend boats. I believe there
was a prize fight that day. Upon being pressed by Mr. Russell,
complainant said he knew there was a prize fight, and that it was at
Long Reach on that day. We did not come down with that party, the boat
we were going in was not waiting for them. We had not been at the fight.
I did not hit anybody, I swear I did not.
George Thomas Faulkner, 43, Old Street Road, Shorditch, deposed:- I was
one of the party that went to Gravesend by steamer, and returned to Long
Reach by land. We remained there about two hours. I asked a waterman
there if he would take us to the steamboat. he said he would take us,
and if we could get enough to fill his boat, would charge three-pence
each. After a littler while he said the steamer was coming, and went to
get his boat ready, which was at the bottom of some path. Bryce said the
boatman should not take us, and the boatman said he would. I was the
first of our party and expostulated with Bryce about it. The boatman
through a rope from the stern to us to pull the boat on shore. The
steamer was just in sight while we're getting in. Bryce said you shan't
go away safe. There was another man in one of the next boats with the
boat hook, which he held in a threatening manner to us. One of Bryce's
men took our waterman's oar away and threw into the river. The waterman
got it again and pushed our boat off; and just as it was afloat, one of
the men in the next boat began to splash us with water. Simmons then
jumped into the boat and said to the man, "You scoundrel, why do you do
so; why don't you let us go away quiet." Mr. Prentis then jumped up and
went to pull Mr. Simmons away. I said one of them will be murdered.
Bryce had hold of Prentis for the collar. I did not see him touch
Simmons. I saw Simmons in the water.
By Mr. Russell:- Simmons was pulled into the water by one of the
waterman. Bryce was outside, nearer to Prentis than to Simmons. I did
not see Simmons fall, his shoulder was dislocated in the scuffle.
David Brown, 74, Lock's Field, licensed waterman deposed:- On the 27th
of April I was having some refreshment outside the "Long Reach Tavern,"
Dartford, and some gentleman who were present asked me to take a party
out to the steamboat. I engaged to do so, and went with my lad to get
the boat ready. When we got down to the boat Bryce said, "You shan't
take any passengers off here." I said, "I shall take them off," and
another waterman said, "No you shan't." I said I had two to take off the
other boat, which you took off, and you took off eight besides. By that
we had some words. Bryce and the other man would not let me take the
passengers. Bryce said it was his private property, and I should not. I
told him there were only two private ferries on the river, the Isle of
Dogs and Gravesend, which was hired by Mr. Creed. When we had laid the
boat's head, the man who said he had hired the ferry prevented my boat
coming on the ground; the other man jumped into my boat and cut one
strand of my rope. I said Bryce can take half, and I will take half the
passengers if he liked. He said no, I will have them all. The
passengers got into my boat. Bryce said you shall not go off safe. Some
one threw one of my all overboard. They then began to wet the
passengers, and as I went forward to try to shove the boat off, Bryce,
who was standing on the starboard side of my boat's bow with a boat-hook
in his hand, threatened to shove it through my inside. He had
water-boots on. Some one made a hole through my boat's side which made
it leak, and the passengers got into one of the other boat's that were
near, when they were thrown into the water by Bryce and three others,
and trod upon. When they got out of the water they went up to the house.
I saw a man struck on the arm with a boat-hook or oar.
Henry Rowl, barman, Old Street Road, deposed that he saw a waterman
strike at Brown with the boat hook, and the Bryce pulled Simmons out of
the boat on the arm and collar, and held him under the water. Thomas
Woodrough, 5, Sandhurst Street, Bishopsgate:- I was at Long Reach with
two friends, and Simmons's party asked us to go in the boat with them,
we agreed. Bryce and some of his men laid hold of the boat with the
boat-hook; one of them splashed Simmons when he jumped out of our boat
into the one where the man was, and a scuffle ensued, in which they got
overboard. Bryce got overboard first, and pulled Simmons after him into
the water.
William Prentis deposed:- I was at the "Long Reach Tavern" on the 27th
of April, and agreed with a waterman to take eight of us off to the
steam-boat for 2s. When we got to the boat there was a scuffle between
the waterman; Bryce said we should not go safe, he would drown us first.
Simmons was in the boat next one to ours. There was some man holding a
scull in a menacing manor; I said they will kill Simmons, and went into
the boat where he was. I had not been there many seconds when I was
pulled overboard by Bryce.
Mr. Russell, for the defence, said he would not occupy the time of the
courts with any lengthened remarks, but would proceed by witnesses to
contradict the evidence that had been adduced against Bryce. It was a
lamentable fact that the quarrel had taken place at the time and place
stated, and that Simmons had sustained a very serious and painful
injury, but that it was done by Bryce he should disproved, by evidence
that must be satisfactory to the court.
Peter Smith, landlord of the "Woolpack Tavern," Peter Street,
Bishopsgate:- On the 27th of April I was at "Long Reach Tavern." I saw
Simpson and Bryce there. There were three boats at the bottom of the
causeway. I saw Simmons in all three, he went first into their own, then
to Mr. Bryce's, and lastly to Mr. King's. I saw him fall on the shoulder
in going from one to the other. When he got out I saw him strike
Chandler, who was in the boat. I don't know which hand he hit him with.
Simmons was followed by two or three of his party into King's boat, and
they threw Bryce overboard. Bryce got into the boat to protect Chandler.
Bryce hung on the side of the boat with one hand, and the other was in
the water. I did not see him strike any one.
Robert Chandler, waterman, of Purfleet, deposed:-. About 4 o'clock in
the afternoon of 27th April I was at the "Long Reach" with King. I saw
Bryce and Simmons there. I saw Simmons in my boat, and in moving the
sale there were some drops of water that went over him. The wind was
very high, and I could not help it.
Edward Davies, waterman, Waterside, Dartford, deposed:- I was at "Long
Reach" on the 27th of April. I saw Simmons getting into Chandler's boat
and strike him a backhanded blow. Some others followed him. I did not
see Bryce strike any one. As soon as Bryce got into the boat he got out
of the boat he was out of her. They they pushed him out.
William Moss, shoemaker, Sharp's Alley, Dartford deposed:- I was at
"Long Reach" on the 27th of April. I saw Simmons and Bryce there. I saw
Simmons get from one boat to the other, and strike Chandler. Simmons
fell down in one of the boats upon his shoulder. Prentis followed Simmons
and said he would second him. I went into the boat and Prentice knocked
me down. While I was down he hit me with a piece of wood and cut my
forehead. (The Mark was visible.) He was upon me, and in getting him off
I threw him overboard. There was not much water. It was water and mud.
Joseph Smith, shoemaker, Dartford, corroborated the evidence of Moss,
and after a short consultation, the court dismissed the case.
Prentis v. Bryce. was then proceeded with , and amidst similar
conflicting evidence, shared the fate of the former.
These cases occupied the Court a very long time, and appeared to excite
considerable interest, the Court being full during the hearing. The
quarrel arose out of a supposed right of Bryce to embark and disembark
all passengers at the ferry.
The London party whom had been witness a prize fight in the marshes,
took the part of a Greenwich waterman, and vice versa.
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West Kent Guardian, Saturday 20 November 1847.
Petty Sessions.
James Bryce, landlord of the "Long Reach Tavern," Dartford, was charged
with having his house open for the sale of beer, &c., during divine
services on Sunday, October 31st.
Mr. Russell appeared for defendant.
The offence was proved by Henry Bourner, constable, and it being the
second offence, defendant was convicted in the penalty of £7 and costs
8s. 6d.
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From Leeds Mercury 11th August 1866.
THE FIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND £400 BETWEEN JAMES MACE AND JOSEPH GOSS.
On Monday morning took place another of those wretched exhibitions
which, notwithstanding the disgraceful proceedings attendant on the last
fight between the same men, still continue to have some
charms for a certain class - though we are happy to assert it a small
class - of the community. The company assembled was not by any means a
pleasing one to view, the appearance of the men being
remarkable for neither good looks, cleanliness, nor gorgeousness of
apparel. At twenty-five minutes past five o'clock the boat started away
down the Thames, bearing with her not less than 200 persons,
about half-a-dozen of whom are "creme de creme", and apparently much
more fit subjects for the drawing room than to be aiding in a
prize-fight. Down stream we pass swiftly, and Greenwich is soon
reached, then Woolwich, and, after numerous little games by
light-fingered gentry aboard, we knock off steam in front of a solitary
public-house, the sign-board of which states that it is "Long Reach
Tavern."
The signal is here given for disembarking, and we are soon put ashore by
boats whose owners were evidently not altogether unacquainted with the
mission of the party. A man named Oliver speedily fixes
the ring, and the novelty of the proceeding apparently caused great
attraction. On inquiry we discovered that in this particular instance
the "articles of war," as one broken-nosed fellow facetiously
described the agreement to fight, stipulated that instead of the 24ft.
square ring ordinarily used a 16ft. ring was to be fought in. This was
Mace's special proviso. At eight o'clock Mace and Goss stepped into
the ring together, amidst some cheering, and then, whilst the company
assembled and took their places, proceeded to strip. A few minutes
concluded this operation, and they rose and shook hands. Goss
certainly appeared to great advantage. He was in good condition, his
flesh brown and firm, his eye bright, and his bust and lower limbs all
but perfection. Mace has great breadth of shoulder, and his
head has a fine leonine appearance, but below the thighs he seemed very
much shrunken, and not at all like the man who fought Toni King. Near
half-past eight they stood up in pugilistic attitude, Mace
being the first to strike out with his left hand on the chin, Goss
returning the blow sharply under the left eye, amidst immense cheering
from his partisans. They then met, and reached each other's ribs and
body smartly, Goss hitting also under the mouth. There was a claim of
"first blood" by the umpire of Goss, but the trace of blood was hardly
visible, and the referee did not allow it. Mace led off again, and
Goss was rather short in trying to return the blow. They then came to
close quarters, and Goss slipped down. So ended round the first, after
about five minutes of severe fighting, though it was apparently
almost resultless. On again coming up they got near to each other at
once and fell, Goss uppermost. After receiving the attentions of their
seconds, the third bout was begun, but it was quickly decided, for
Mace almost immediately threw his opponent and fell on him. One of what
is known as the "events" of the fight was decided in the succeeding
bout, for Mace struck his adversary a terrific right-handed blow
over the left eye, from which blood spurted at once, the round
terminating by both falling after Goss's blows had been beautifully
stopped and he well punished. The following round was short, as after
Mace
had struck out they came together and fell, Goss undermost. In the sixth
meeting Mace parried his adversary's blows in scientific style, and
struck Goss over the face heavily several times; then they
came in contact, and after a slight wrestle Mace threw his man and fell
on his face, smearing the blood over his eyes and nose, so that they
were almost hidden by it. From this point Mace had certainly the
best of the fighting, and although Goss behaved with great endurance and
bravery, it was clear that not only was his opponent superior in skill,
as had been expected, but in strength also. In the fourteenth
bout Mace struck a knock-down blow, heavy enough to have felled an ox,
and after this Goss came up weak with loss of blood, and though he
struck out manfully when near, his blows were wild, and his
cooler antagonist parried them easily, and returned with crushing
effect. At the close of the twenty-first round, and when half an hour
and one minute had elapsed, Goss's second threw up the sponge in
token of defeat, and Mace, after shaking hands with his adversary,
kissed him on both cheeks, Goss bursting into tears of disappointment.
So concluded the third fight between these men, and though we
may in some measure admire their hardihood, their disgraceful exhibition
must provoke the greatest disgust.
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Kentish Gazette, 14 March, 1876.
ROBBERY AT DARTFORD.
William Lane, 22, soldier, was indicted for stealing a gun, the
property of Walter Grant, at Dartford, on the 16th January. Mr.
Deane prosecuted. The parties met at the "Long Reach Tavern,"
Dartford, and, the prosecutor having a gun with him, the prisoner
borrowed it on two occasions to have a shoot. The first time, he
returned the weapon immediately, but the second time he disappeared,
and the next information the prosecutor received was that the gun had
been pawned in London, and that the prisoner had sent the duplicate
to the "Long Reach Tavern." The defence was that there was no
fraudulent intention, but that the gun was pawned by prisoner while
under the influence of drink. The jury returned a verdict of
"guilty," and the prisoner admitted a conviction for house-breaking.
The Court passed a sentence of two years' hard labour.
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Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Saturday, 16 November 1907.
No dog licence.
Richard Salmon, "Long Reach Tavern," Dartford, was summoned from keeping
a dog without a licence. When the Inland Revenue officer called on
October 7th, it was stated, defendant told him he had been ill for some
time. A licence has since been taken out.
Finded 7s. 6d. and costs.
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See Dartford Map 1905.
LICENSEE LIST
DOWN Charles 1841+ (age 40 in 1841 )
BRYCE James 1847+
SIBLEY Samuel 1851-61+ (age 45 in 1861)
WEBB Frank 1871+ (age 32 in 1871)
SALMON Richard 1881-1913+ (also waterman)
SALMON Jack 1938+
HART Emily to June/1957
https://pubwiki.co.uk/LongReach.shtml
http://www.closedpubs.co.uk/longreachtavern.html
From the Kelly's Directory 1903
Census
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