SHIP Pub of Rochester

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Rochester, December, 2024.

Page Updated:- Friday, 13 December, 2024.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest ????

Ship

Open 2024+

347 High Street

Rochester

01634 402222

https://whatpub.com/ship-inn

Above photo, circa 1918.

Above photo 2009 by N Chadwick Creative Commons Licence.

Above photo, July 2020, taken by Sarflondondunc.

Above sign left, October 1991. Sign right 2020.

With thanks from Brian Curtis www.innsignsociety.com.

Above beermat 1958, kindly sent by Rory Kehoe.

Above matchbox, circa 1984, kindly sent by Chris Murray. (Note, Gay meant a different thing in the 1980s. Paul Skelton.)

Kentish Gazette, 20 January 1852.

Rochester. Extraordinary Discovery.

On Saturday, as some persons were employed near the works of the new bridge, they discovered the body of a man floating in the river. Assistance was immediately obtained, and the body taken out. On examination, it appeared to be the body of a sailor, apparently about 50 years of age, and had the appearance of having been in the water at least two months; and from the rapid work of decomposition, it presented a revolting sight. The most extraordinary discovery was that it seemed to have been fastened down by a stake into the mud, the stake being still found connected with the corpse. An inquest was held the same day at the "Ship Inn," but was adjourned for the purpose of identification, and that enquiries may be instituted by the police, which may clear up the mystery attached to this discovery.

Kentish Gazette, 6 July 1852.

Rochester Quarter Sessions.

The Midsummer Quarter Sessions for the city were holden on Saturday week, before J 'Espinusse Esq., Recorder.

George Williams, 24, for having, on the 26th of April, at Strood assaulted and beaten police constable McGeorge, whilst in the execution of his duty in removing prisoner from the "Ship" public house, where he had been creating a disturbance.

The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 4 months' hard labour.

Kentish Gazette, 26 September 1854.

Rochester. Sudden Death.

An inquest was hold at the "Ship Inn," on Thursday last, by J. Lewis, Esq., city coroner, on the body of John Streep, aged 48.

It appeared from the evidence that John Wadhams was engaged as watchman at Sharfleet creek, about noon on Wednesday. He saw a dredging boat with its sails set, run ashore at the marsh, which led him to suppose that something was wrong. He made to the boat and saw the deceased, no one else was on board. He was standing abaft against the tiller, with his hands holding on at each side, and his head bent forward almost down to the deck; he was quite dead. He had evidently just hauled up the dredge, which was lying partly in and partly out of the boat. There was no froth or blood about the face, or other appearance showing the cause of death. He seemed quite well previously. Wadhams had known the deceased many years, and knew that he long had an affection of the spine, which much crippled him in walking or moving. He had often gone dredging alone although unable to get from the stern to the head of the boat.

John Lee stated that the deceased had sailed with him formerly, and he was much disabled from work by the by the affection of the spine, and he had appeared lately much lamer from it, though in general health, he had been a hearty man.

Verdict - Died by the visitation of God - cause not known.

The Stage, Thursday 24 July 1975.

It is almost a year ago that Don Rose, licensee of Rochester's "Ship" pub, opened his Gaiety Bar, decorated to provide the atmosphere of the Music Hall. The walls are covered with relics from many of are now closed theatres.

Don has built the bar's reputation quickly and it has enabled him to present for variety every night of the week. Few pubs in Kent can post this.

For the anniversary "do" Don has booked Kim Cordell.

But who else for such a venue. Kim went like a firecracker at Sittingbourne Queen's Theatre.

I know she'll raise the roof at The Gaiety. And I intend to be there to watch.

The Stage, Thursday 11 November 1976.

Kentish is where the hops really come from. That fact alone makes the County pubs Country! And pubs are big business on the showbiz front today. You can forget the idea that down here that all the pubs are oak-beamed and full of yokels moving at a snail's pace.

Entertainment is IN at the INNS take my word. No, don't take my word just listen to the people I've been talking to in an in-depth round up.

An authority on the subject is Don Rose, landlord of Rochester "Ship Inn." His pub has been setting the pace in Kent.

He said. "We are finding that people are no longer content to sit in a bar with no music and just stare at one another. They want more for their money and in these days of moral liberation we are able to do things which a few years go would have shocked people around here."

The "Ship" has been the first pub in the Medway area (former home of the great Empire variety theatre, the Theatre Royal and the Old Barnard's Music Hall) to provide entertainment every night of the week; organists, singers, comics are the order of the day before last orders are called.

....

I think I will - and pop out for a ginger ale.

Jimmy Hodge Jnr.

From an email received, 26 November 2024.

I played the Hammond organ in the ship late 70s early 80s. I recall that there were many rooms on the upper floors. Don Rose was a very good host, and his ambition to fill the night's in the pub with live music I believe was born out of his love for the theatre. Don often made trips to London's theatre-land often accompanied by one of the bar staff. The don't remember his name or the other member of staff who had the nickname Polo. I hope the Shop is still doing well, it is a foundation of the local community.

Derek Ward.

This pub is one in the list of my "Project 2014."

As such I have found a picture of the pub, but to date have no other information. Local knowledge, further pictures, and licensee information would be appreciated.

I will be adding the historical information when I find or are sent it, but this project is a very big one, and I do not know when or where the information will come from.

All emails are answered.

LICENSEE LIST

ATKINS Catherine Mrs 1858+

HUMBLE Jane 1861+ (widow age 36 in 1861)