
25 October 1803

The river Ellen was no wider than 60 feet so for shipyards situated along the banks like Middleton’s and Peat’s this meant they had to find a different way to launch ships into the water. The broadside launch was adopted which meant the ship descended into the water sidewards, rather than forwards. The first of these broadside launches took place on 25 October 1803 when the Anthorne (186 tons) was launched into the River Ellen by Peat & Co. The Cumberland Pacquet newspaper explained “the launching was not in the usual manner. The vessel descended broadside foremost into the water from a perpendicular height of between three and four feet.” This method of launching, though not unique, was very rare in Britain. Ships would be taken to the water’s edge and supported on wooden props. The launch could only be done at the top of a spring tide when the river estuary was full to the banks. Then at the top of the tide, the props on the river side were knocked away and the ship fell sideways into the water, causing an enormous splash and wave. After three or four rolls, the ship stabilised and could be towed to the bank. These dramatic launches attracted huge crowds who gathered on the slopes of Mote Hill to watch the big splash. Ritson’s shipyard which was founded by John Ritson who had been manager at Peat’s shipyard before taking it over, launched their first iron ship, the Ellenbank (1426 tons) broadside at high tide in 1885.




