Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History The Boat House and Swimming Pool at Parkgate

The old pub was long known as the Beerhouse, so it may not have had a spirits licence.

By a bit of good look i still have my dad's old job book from this time (amazed i found it !) and it records the following - 21st January 1965, pulling out Wetherall mechanical shovel from the old parkgate bathing pool, work done for the Neston U.D.C.

... In 1864 Thomas Johnson, the landlord of the inn, was drowned with his brother Joseph when they were trying to land from the ferry boat in a heavy swell.

At twelvo o'clook on Friday night last a distressing boat accident occurred at Parkgate, which has cast a complete gloom all over the district and thrown several highly respectable families into mourning.

It appears that at ten o'clock on Friday morn­ing a party of five took an excursion into Wales, crossing the river Dee from Parkgate to Bagillt, in Flintsbire. The party consisted of Mr. Thomas Johnson, proprietor of the Pengwern Arms Hotel, or Boathouse, at Parkgate; his brother, Mr. Joseph Johnson, a landing-waiter, belonging to her Majesty's customs at Liverpool, Mr. J. F. Crossman, secretary to the Liverpool Licensed Victuallers' Association; and Mr. J. H. Holland and Mr. Frederick Holland (brothers), of Chester, who had been staying at Parkgate during the last fortnight making a survey of the channels of the Dee.

Their intention was, if possible, to return with the same tide. The weather was, however, so calm that upwards of an hour and a half was occupied in crossing; and finding that they could not return by that tide the party landed at Bagillt and walked to Holywell, where they spent the day. At ten o'clock the company left Bagillt in the boat on their return to Parkgate. It was then moonlight, with a steady breeze, and a pleasant voyage was anticipated. The boat made a rapid passage, but on arriving within a short distance of the Cheshire side it was found that the jetty was covered with the tide, which was just beginning to ebb, and the wind having freshened considerably a heavy swell rendered it imprudent to attempt to get alongside the river wall. The boat accordingly lay-to for about an hour, awaiting the receding of the tide. It was then determined to endeavour to effect a landing in a small boat or punt which lay at anchor a short distance from the shore, and which it was thought would be more manageable. One of the gentlemen, it is said, called out that the punt would not carry them all with safety; but this intimation of danger seems to have been disregarded, and five persons including Richard Evans, the boatman, got on board. Mr Thomas Johnson, who was a stout heavy man, was the last to leave the larger vessel, and no sooner had he placed his feet on the side of the punt than the little craft capsized, and the whole party were precipitated into the water.

Thomas Johnson, a young man about 20 years of age, eldest son of Mr Thomas Johnson, was standing on the esplanade waiting the arrival of his father and his friends, and witnessed the melancholy accident, but, in consequence of the strong current that was running, could render little or no assistance to the unfortunate persons who were struggling for their lives in the water. Mr J H Holland, who had remained in the large boat, being a good swimmer, immediately stripped and jumped into the water and swam to the assistance of one of his unfortunate companions. He was unable to reach him, however, and after several ineffectual attempts he made for the shore, which he succeeded in reaching in a very exhausted state. Mr Frederick Holland also managed with difficulty to reach the shore. Mr Crossman, although not a swimmer, struck out in the best way he could, and fortunately gained the land in safety; he afterwards received very kind attention from the landlady of the Union Hotel, and a gentleman who happened to be staying at the house. Richard Evans was taken out of the water in an exhausted state. Mr Thomas Johnson was likewise got ashore alive, and was removed to the cottage of Evans (that being the nearest house), but he was so much exhausted that he never rallied, and death ensued before the arrival of a medical man. Mr Joseph Johnson was carried down with the current and was drowned. His body was found on the shore near Heswall - fully a mile from where the disaster occurred - at five o'clock in the morning, and removed to the Pengwern Arms Hotel, where it was placed in the same apartment with the corpse of his brother. The boatman, Evans, was so much exhausted that he was not considered out of danger until late on Saturday.

Mr Thomas Johnson was about 50 years of age, and was highly respected at Parkgate and in the hundred of Wirral generally. Besides being the owner and landlord of the Pengwern Arms Hotel, he was proprietor of the omnibuses plying between Parkgate, Hooton and Birkenhead Ferry. He has left a widow and eight children. His brother, Mr Joseph Johnson, as has already been stated was a landing waiter belonging to the Liverpool customs, and resided in Crown street. He has left a widow and four children.