SHIP HOTEL Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Dover, November, 2025.

Page Updated:- Thursday, 13 November, 2025.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1747-

Ship Hotel

Latest 1872

Custom House Quay

Dover

Above photo, 1856, kindly sent by Paul Wells, photo taken by Robert Howlett.

Above photo mid 1800s.

The picture (above) published by Batcheller, in 1841, depicts Worthington's celebrated Hotel and Ship Inn, once known as the Royal Ship Hotel, facing the Granville Dock on Custom House Quay. Adjoining is Northumberland House.

A "Ship" was listed in the census of 1545. Six beds and stabling were shown but no address was given, the licensee at that time was given as Hugh Brackett. That could well have been this. Also shown was the "Ship Victualling House" with four beds and that was in Biggin Street and the licensee being a Edward Foster. This was probably the "Victualling Offices" now the Town Hall that used to supply the Navy. It is recorded that Henry Rouse, innkeeper of the "Ship", died on 28 August 1679 and Samuel Foote, actor, died at a "Ship Inn" in 1777.

Biography of Henry ROWSE.

Henry was born about 1639 (Est. from age given at marriage)

Henry Rowse, innkeeper aged 24, married Jone FESTER aged 20 at Canterbury on 16 July 1663.

To date, no baptisms of children have been found to this couple.

Prior to his death in 1679 Henry was owner and proprietor of the Ship Inn on the quay at Dover.

Henry Rouse was buried at Dover on 17 Oct 1679. This is supported by a 1679 will of Henry Rowse of Dover who names his loving wife Jone. Probate was granted the same year indicating Henry passed within a few months of him making the will. An inventory of the same man made that year indicates he was an 'innholder'.

The will of Henry Rowse, innholder, written 28 July 1679 with revision 8 Aug 1679 mentions: The "house or inn called Shipp wherein I now dwell in Dover, together with outhouses, other buildings, stables... malthouse..." wife Jone Rowse

sister Elizabeth, widow of Thomas Milton

sister Mary, wife of Thomas Banning. Children Henry & Mary

sister Ann Ranger, widow

neice Margaret Ranger (younger than 18yrs), d/o sister Ann, widow
brother Warham Jemmett

Phineas, John & George, sons of Warham Jemmett

brother(?) or friend John Bullack

servant John Collins

friend William Stratfield John & Mary, children of Henry Banning.

Above picture showing Custom House Quay 1846 and the Ship hotel on the left.

All pictures kindly supplied by Kathleen Hollingsbee.

From the Kentish Post or Canterbury News-Letter, February 10th 1747. Kindly sent from Alec Hasenson.

Sale of ship's Cargo at the Ship Tavern in Dover, February 10th, 1747.

From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, Wednesday, 5 October, to Saturday, 8 October, 1768. Price 2d.

TO BE SOLD PUBLICLY

To the highest Bidder, on Tuesday the 18th of this Instant October, at the “Ship Inn” in Dover, between the Hours of Three and Four in the Afternoon:

All that good Snow and Vessel, called the Endeavour, of the Burthen of 140 Tons or thereabouts, now laying in Dover Harbour, whereof Mr. John Adams was late Master, with the Masts, Yards, Sails, Anchors, Cables, Ropes, Tackle, Apparel, and Furniture to the said vessel belonging.

To be seen at any Time, by applying to Mr. John Adams, at his house in Snargate Street, Dover.

From the Kentish Gazette or Canterbury Chronicle, 8 to 12 August 1788.

“A STAGE COACH sets off every Monday and Friday from the Ship Inn, Dover at 6 o'clock in the morning for Margate; calls for passengers and parcels at the "Three Kings" Deal at half past seven; the "Bell" Sandwich at nine; the "Red Lion" Ramsgate at half past ten; stops at Mitchener's, Margate, three hours and returns the same road to Dover in the evening. William HARRISON "

Before the "Lord Warden" days it was noted for receiving "crowned heads" and other notable. Marshal Blucher was there in 1814. History has it that Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, was carried shoulder high to this amenity when he returned from the low countries following Waterloo in 1815. "Byron life and legend" by Fiona MacCarthy states on page 279 that Lord Byron stayed in the "Ships Inn," Dover before he left England for the last time in 1816.

Kentish Gazette 7 January 1800.

On Friday morning last died much lamented, John Harvey, senior, aged 79, coach-master in this city, and late of the "Ship Inn," Dover; a man whose heart poured forth every virtue that blessed a husband, father and a friend.

From the Kentish Gazette 2 June 1807

TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION.

On Wednesday, 31 June next, at ten o'clock, at the "Ship Inn," Dover.

THE BRIG ROWENA, burthen 151 80 94 tons, American built, and free; is of