Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience

Past meets present in Hartlepool

It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?  Once Hartlepool had thriving docklands where we’re standing now.  In 1913 alone over 1 million tons of timber and iron-ore were imported, and 2.5 million tons of coal and coke from the Durham pits left these docks.  World War II brought change, as well as bombardment, but the town picked itself up and looked for new industries to replace the old.

In the 1990s a marina brought a new lease of life to the town.  Old shipbuilding skills had not been lost and HMS Trincomalee was restored locally, soon to be joined by the paddlesteamer PSS Wingfield Castle.  Both now form part of Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience museum.  But what of the surrounds?  There we have an issue or two with our local council.  Jackson’s Landing was an attractive looking shopping complex, whose cafe enjoyed some of the best views in Hartlepool. Today it has been razed to the ground, after standing empty for countless years.  The seagulls now enjoy the forlorn open space.

But it’s not all bad, as you can see.  Great skies!  And Thursday’s Special has me back in our marina again, thanks to Paula.

Thursday : Lingering look at Windows- 23
You'll have to excuse these windows for not being very clean. I'll have a word with the bosun.

Not too clean, these windows?  I’ll have a word with the ship’s bosun.

When I was a little girl, our town had docklands.  I remember being fascinated by the chain bridges that linked them all together.   I would walk with care over the wooden boards, water on either side of me.  Then we were no longer competitive at the shipbuilding game, and a wealth of skills were laid to waste.  Years passed, with the town in decline.  Still, we can be tenacious in this north eastern corner of England.

A happy ending, of sorts, is on display every day at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, our recreation of an 18th Century seaport.  The website incorporates a brief history of Hartlepool, and details of HMS Trincomalee, restored locally and the only British warship still afloat.

Come and gaze with me into the windows of an 18th Century seaport.

Let's walk round the quay together. I love this reflected windows shot.

Let’s walk round the quay together. I like this reflected windows shot.

The tailors first- you've got HMS Trincomalee too, of course

The tailor’s first- got to be suitably attired. (and HMS Trincomalee, clearly reflected! )

The swordsmith's- do take care in here!

The swordsmith’s- they’re pretty sharp in there!

Wax figures? A strange one this.

Wax figures? A little strange, this one.

Shadrach Moggridge- a fine name for a Chandler

Shadrach Moggridge- a fine name for a chandler!

The upstairs window looks good too

The upstairs window looks good too.

All very useful!

So many useful things!

A gunmakers, naturally!

A gunmaker’s, with shot, naturally!

The printer's- useful again!

The printer’s- useful again!

Head in hands- he must have got it wrong! (best yet reflection of the Trinc?)

Head in hands- he must have got it wrong! (best yet reflection of the Trinc?)

Turn around. There she is, HMS Trincomalee.

Turn around, and there she is, HMS Trincomalee.

The windows look a little cleaner from the outside. :)

Those windows look a little cleaner from the outside.

Hope you enjoyed my tour.  Come up and see us sometime.  It really is quite fascinating inside the shops.  I think I put my time to good use at Sunday’s visit to the Steampunk event.

Dawn, I hope you approve my choice of windows?   Many thanks for hosting Thursday : Lingering look at Windows.  I enjoy exploring your world too.