In the nineteenth century Bridgwater has two ships named ‘Hope’. It was a common ship name throughout the centuries for obvious reasons when sailing in unpredictable seas and weathers. This is also reflected in the number of pub names, usually ones frequented by mariners, with hope in them, and also the paring the notion of hope with an anchor. That includes the Hope and Anchor on the riverside or the Hope Inn on Taunton Road.
Hope 10917
This ship was a smack, 23 tons, built in Undy, Monmouthshire in 1837. She was Registered in Bridgwater in 12 June 1854, but had moved to Barnstable by 1860.
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Hope 10828
The sloop Hope 10828 was owned by Hercules Towells in 1870. Then in 1877 she was owned by Henry Whitting, Bridgwater. She was 40 tons, built in Plymouth in 1806, and registered in Bridgwater on the 7th of June 1841.
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On the 13th of October 1877, the Hope set sail from Appledore with a cargo of ‘fancy’ gravel. There was a fierce storm in the night and the Hope was lost with all hands. The ship’s boat was found drifting and was taken in to Watchet where it was identified as belonging to the Hope[i]. The crew on that voyage were all from Bridgwater:-
- William Wills, 28 years old, son of Charles and Ellen Wills, coal merchant, married with two children.
- Richard Snow, 22 years old, son of William (deceased) and Ann Snow, married, no children.
- Charles Henry Hellard (Henry) 19 years old, son of Charles (deceased) and Ann Hellard.
- All three were reported as lost at sea on BT 159 Register of Deaths at Sea, British Nationals.
Clare Spicer and Jillian Trethewey 29 March 2026
[i] West Somerset Free Press 27 Oct 1877