Rock Ferry Slipway

Rock Ferry Slipway

This ferry slipway was constructed in 1820 by Thomas Morecroft, a ferry owner and operator, and developed at a cost of £20,000 to improve facilities on the Rock Ferry to Liverpool ferry service. The slip is surfaced with a combination of sandstone and granite setts and is lined on either side by large red sandstone blocks, some of which contain iron rings for tying up vessels. Timber bullwarks provide added protection along the lower part of its length. The slipway measures approximately 230 metres long and runs from the eastern end of Bedford Road East into the River Mersey, enabling passengers to board ferry boats at any state of the tide.

At the landward end, later modifications include a kerbed footpath and the remains of a partly demolished brick wall on its south side. Walling and fencing belonging to a redundant oil terminal are attached to its north side.

Historical Context

Ferries across the River Mersey have operated since at least the time of the Domesday Survey, but a ferry service from Rock Ferry to Liverpool did not commence until the mid-17th century. Daniel Defoe is thought to have travelled on this ferry in 1725 during his researches for his book "A Tour Through The Whole Island Of Great Britain," and gives a graphic description in the book of his disembarkation on the Liverpool shore.

The slipway is considered to be the oldest surviving solid structure built into the River Mersey. During the 1830s, a company was formed to develop Rock Ferry as a residential area and operate a ferry service through lessees. Messrs Thompson and Gough of Eastham became the lessees and owned a fleet of ferry boats operating from Rock Ferry, New Ferry and Eastham to Liverpool. At about this time steam was introduced on the Rock Ferry service. This partnership ended in the 1880s, after which the Rock Ferry Company took over operations until 1899, when Birkenhead Corporation took over the running of the service. In that year a new New Ferry, Rock Ferry and Liverpool service opened and a new iron pier with timber decking, floating landing stage, lighthouse and fog bell was constructed alongside the existing slipway at Rock Ferry, which subsequently became redundant for ferry services.

Despite having fallen into disuse with the withdrawal of this ferry service, the slipway remains intact and survives in good condition. Survival of ferry passenger facilities of this period is very rare nationally.