Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo 2011, from www.Flickr.com by Ben Levick. Showing the location of the "Iron Ship."

From the Medway Archives, 29 Oct 1877.

Octavius Coope and Charles Matthews both of Romford, brewers and co-partners.

Messuage and shop used as a beer house called the Iron Ship fronting on to New Brompton High Street. Also covenant to produce deeds. Endorsed with subsequent conveyance to the Ind Coope and Co. Ltd., following decease of Octavius Coope, 4 November 1887. Consideration: £580.

Information below by Ben Levick

The "Old Iron Ship" was situated in Gillingham High Street close to the corner of Saxton Street. It opened in 1862, probably as "The Iron Ship". It seems the 'Old' was added by common usage to distinguish it from the nearby (and ironically, older) "New Iron Ship". It closed in the 1960s when the High Street was widened. The building that now occupies its place was a supermarket (I think) in the 60s & 70s and then had a succession of other uses until it became an oriental restaurant in around 2000.

From the Nottingham Journal, 29 August, 1933.

WON A CUP MEDAL.

George Edward Travers (49), of Gillingham. an ex-footballer who figured In the Barnsley team which won the F. A. Cup, was at Chatham yesterday committed for trial on a charge of breaking and entering a public house at Gillingham and stealing £20 9s.

Charles Otway Major, the licensee, said that on 19 August, he found that the kitchen door and window had been forced open. His Alsatian was sniffing at a bedroom door and he found that money was missing from the bedroom.

Travers was a customer and was friendly with the dog.