History of the Humber Ferry Part Three: The Castles 

A fantastic final part to a great trilogy. Not enough recognition can be given to the work involved and the professional nature of these mini documentaries which will be available to our local area for generations.

In the late sixties, as a lad, I was a regular traveller across the Humber to my Great Aunt's in Barton. The whole trip is etched in my mind, from the queuing at the ticket office, the walk up or down to the pontoon and through the metal gates on to the ship. There was so much to see, either to shore, to river or my favourite, below decks. First in to the smokey saloons, but then to heaven, the windows to the engine room. The sight of all that beautifully painted and polished steel and brass,. The sounds, the bells, the water splashing and the whooshing of the machinery. If you spun round you could watch the paddles spinning and violently hammering the brown water. The best parts of the whole journey would be the manoeuvring to dock. Then one of or both of the great engines would be thrown in to reverse, to see all that motion come to rest then slowly take up the opposite direction, can feel the vibration now. The trip was still not over, the run to the DMU train parked up on New Holland pier to make sure you got the seat behind the driver. The rattle and sounds of setting off down the pier with the muddy waters lapping below you, the diesels revving and vacuum sounds from the brakes, atmospheric. Over 50years ago when I was around ten years old and doing the trip alone, didn't have a care in the world.... ...

Thanks very much for your efforts in producing this series. I’m from Norfolk and my Fathers Mother lived in Hull. We visited a couple of times a year. We used to get the train to New Holland and the ferry across to Hull, then the bus to my Grandmothers. This all stopped when my Dad bought his first car (Morris Minor, split windscreen) when I was about 5 or 6 so unfortunately I remember very little of the trips on the ferry. I do remember stopping off on the way home in the car to see how construction was coming along on the bridge however. We had to cross the Humber at Boothferry Bridge in those days. All very fond memories from what seemed like a far more simple era.

Very interesting. Iam 67.i lived in Hull. I so much liked your videos of Hull and so rounding places... Just Brilliant. Thank you for your very much appreciated hard work... Glen....

Loved going on the ferry’s. O.k the bridge is easier but going down the ramp on to the pontoon was more exciting 😃

Fantastic trilogy. Going across the Humber on the ferries was the most exciting part of the day when we had trips to Cleethorpes with my grandma & grandad. Memories so strongly etched I can remember it clear as day even now.

As a kid, we only visited Hull to visit Hull to see our grandparents who weren't wealthy, but Grandma would treat us kids to a day out in Cleethorpes which, for her, was a major expedition and expense. To this day I remember well the time we got off at New Holland pier (this would have been about 1972) and I remember us walking along one platform, and watching the cars drive down the other platform. Even then it was quite bizarre. But the whole day out was really exciting. Simple times. Barely 10 years later I was a student in London and we would drink on the Tattershall Castle (one of my top-10 drinking destinations at the time). I had no idea that it was the same boat that I had travelled on with Grandma all that time ago (well, I like to think it was).

Grew up in Cleethorpes 1956 to 1968. Would go to Hull several times a year using the Castles. Still recollect the rush to the Bar as soon as we Cast Off. Always remember disembarking at Hull and walking down the Land of Green Ginger to go Christmas shopping. In his final year in the UK, My Dad bought a bungalow at the south end of the Bridge in Barton upon Humber, great view of the Bridge and Estuary.

I remember having to make a trip to Grimsby, in 1972, it was well before the Humber Bridge opened, and there was a coal miners strike on at the time, so the 'Flamborian' from Bridlington was used in place of the ferry. The weather conditions were pretty bad and us passengers were very crammed into this small pleasure boat, everyone on the boat was very silent as the Flamborian tossed around in the rough conditions in the river Humber, we all thought the boat was going to sink, however we finally made it to New Holland. That trip sticks in my mind and happily I was lucky enough to have a final trip again on the Flamborian at Bridlington before it was sold off. I believe it is now refurbished as a house boat on the river Seine in France.

Once again thank you for this video. Pity the Lincoln scrapped. My two, or three trips over the Humber on this boat had me fir a long while watching the engineer, in his white boiler suit on his operating position in the engine room , the mechanicals clunking around and the polished brass copper and steel. And looking down to theopen door of the boiler room. And I remember the odd looks from the crew as I walked off to the new Holland pier, turned round and got straight back on. The farringford simply did not have that character.

I enjoyed these videos. My great-grandfather, Henry Foster (1857-1919) was a marine engineer on the Tattershall Castle. My mother used to travel on the ferry in the early 1940s when she was a nurse over in Lincolnshire. I remember she told me sometimes the ferry got stuck because of fog and I think she said they sometimes had to stay on all night.

As lads in our mid teens, we used to go visit the LC on the beach in Hessle on bicycles from Barton after the bridge opened in 1981.

Thank you, an erudite and informative series about the Humber ferries. As a Merseysider, we have a similar tale of a Mersey ferry, the royal Iris, than now languishes somewhere in the Thames estuary after changing hands many times.

I'm just old enough to remember travelling on the Lincoln Castle and Farringford. Thank you for a great series on the Ferries.

Awesome! Thank you. I was probably one of the last people to travel on the humber ferry - went over to New Holland on a school trip in 1981 a few weeks before it stopped running.

As promised after the game, fantastic 3 part series only just remember as a kid going on the Lincoln. Keep up the good work.

Wonderful series HN. Once again much to learn. As a child I was always mesmerised by the reciprocating motion of the works and always made a beeline for the engine room. The heat and the smells, which I can summon even now, are enduring memories of these slightly eccentric and anachronistic boats. I must have sailed on all three over the years, but I never kept a mental tally, so perhaps not. As a little kid looking forward to the thrills of Cleethorpes with gran, I probably made no more than a handful of trips on these steamers, but each one was special. We're talking 1950's here, long before any thought of a bridge. You're doing us a great service HN, bringing back some wonderful memories...

Living in Lincoln in the 70's I had to use the ferry to get me to the Fire Station in Hull to do my MN Fire Course. Always arrived on time for the whole week of the course. For a deep sea R/O the little ferry trip was, to say the least, exciting ! I remember sailing with an engineer from Grimsby who ended up working on the ferry. Thanks for the videos.

Fantastic series. I’m too young to know a time before the bridge but this sheds light on some leaving drinks I attended on the Tattershall, moored on the Thames. I was confused by all the pictures of Hull on board when Tattersall Castle is in Lincolnshire. Now I know her history :)

Little back story , when I joined London Transport as a bus driver my instructor came from the Scunny area , he originally drove for Enterprise and Silver Dawn then Lincolnshire Roadcar , one of his regular routes was to meet on of the early morning ferries that look worked across, his service would often delayed and of course missing the ferry was a no no, he told me that after a delayed bus that made the ferry the driver would get a round of applause

Loving the soundtrack

That was a fascinating series, thank you. I live in lincoln and never knew our castle had a paddle steamer named after it.

I love these! I remember a school summer day trip to Cleethorpes via the ferry around 1976/7 (junior school). It was my first time on a ferry.

I remember visiting the Lincoln Castle when it served as a bar at both Hessle Foreshore and Grimsby. I read that during the seventies it sometimes ran musical excursions, decorated with bunting, down the Humber - promoted as "Steamboat Stomps." What a shame it wasn't preserved by Hull for more excursions.

Thoroughly enjoyed this 3 part on the ferries. Past the Tattersall Castle so many times on the Thames, never knew it was ex Humber. The Wingfield I see regularly in Hartlepool.

i can remember as a 12 year old going on the ferry with the crew of my dad, Bill Garner ship to bring the trawler back to back to hull after landing in grimsby because there was too many ships landing in hull that day.

Brilliant Thanks,just discovered Your Channel.It is interesting to learn that The Yorkshire Belle (been on it at least 50 times since the early 60's) was built at the same Yard in Beverley as the Arctic Corsair.What a Company that must have been!!! I lost count looking at the Trawlers and Navy vessels built in Beverley!!!!!!!! Is it possible to walk round St Andrews Dock? I am not from Hull,but my Great Grandparents Grandparents are.I love all things Hull, Paragon Spurn etc.Superb Channel

I remember 1983 on a lunch break from Crowel St technical school (electrical apprenticeship) I went to look around the old Earls ship yard. On the slip was a "steamer" being scrapped. It was the Farringford.

As usual with all your videos, very well presented and researched. Having been a steam fanatic all my life, I went to Hull as a teenager around 1968 from Thorne near Doncaster, with the sole purpose of riding on the ferry to see the beautiful engines of the paddle steamer. I have also enjoyed your railway presentations again very well presented.

Thank you so much for this mini series. I was born in Hull in 1947, my grandmother living in Grimsby. And so we travelled several times a year across to New Holland. I have very clear recall of the journey. I found getting onto the ferry frankly terrifying, because the wooden planks of the pier/ jetty had gaps between which to my young eyes and small feet, seemed big enough for me to completely slip through into the black swirling waters below. I loved the ride itself. I have a question: does anyone know if there are any pictures of the insides of the Castles? I'm sure I remember going down below to watch the pistons, or whatever the works were. I have a picture in my head of huge brass tubes or pistons, and maybe red and /or green painted parts. By the way, I don't remember there being any guard rails on these, but my earliest memory of going down to see the clanking engineering was when I was about 3. I'd love to know what it actually looked like down there!

Well said Mr Oglesby. These documentaries are outstanding in their importance to Hull and the East Riding's heritage.

I well remember Dad taking myself and Mum up to New Holland from Kent to spend a day riding the Ferry(s) before they were gone. This would be 1969/70 and certainly the Castles were in total control. Somewhere I think I still have the colouring book that I badgered Dad into buying for me from the onboard shop. They were lovely little ships, so sad about the Lincoln, saw her in the Dock once when I was in the area (sadly working, not drinking). Thanks so much for this series very interesting and informative.

Once again, many thanks to H.H.N, with a most interesting and informative video on our local history, in and around Hull. Your productions are always first class and so well put together. You should consider giving talks to the public, so everyone could attend and listen first hand to your invaluable knowledge of all these fascinating subjects you keep us entertained with. Keep up your good work 👏 Well done again H.H.N Nice Work!

Been on the Tattershall Castle many times on the Embankment. As worked in offices on the strand and on the Embankment including the one called 80 Strand with the big red light up clock face. Always seemed choppy on the Tattershall Castle but that may down to the heavy drinking Australians I went with..

Great series. Very interesting. Thanks. All the best 🇬🇧.

Superb end to a superb micro series ,well done good Sir

Thanks HHN - Great three part series. Keep up the great work.

I've walked past Tattershall castle in London so many times without ever realising what it was! Amazing.

Really interesting to hear about the history of all the three castles, I just look forward to seeing your videos. A lot of nostalgia and I crossed the humber a few times on them. Thanks for posting

As I have said on previous videos, I saw (what I now know to be Lincoln Castle! ) on the Hessle foreshore beached under the bridge in the early Eighties.

Such a sad story when you think about it!

3 more fascinating videos. sad about Lincoln Castle

Another brilliant series!

So sad, I loved those graceful sturdy boats. The annual trip over to New Holland and thence down to Gainsborough and back was such a treat.

Great history & fascinating facts. Thank you!

Excellent trilogy, well done. So many times crossing the Humber, taking the exhaust of the car as it caught on the disembarcation ramp, which always seemed cock-eyed as it had a gang plank at one side to ballance things up. Always the best excuse when late for night school, sorry, stuck on a sand bank. Those were the days before mobile phones. As a child, I remember being taken up on the bridge to see the radar; and somewhere, I have a photo of Farringfords last journey from New Holland, sorry I couldn't find it. Very enjoyable watch, thankyou, PMh

A excellent informative (enlightening for a Hull lad) production. Enjoyed watching them.👍

A wonderful insight into such an important part of my generations memory. Many thanks HHN

fantastic series well done

Well Done on another great local history video - a credit to the city. Nice to see a couple of my ferry photosused at the start. What is your next topic? Cheers Alec

Thank you 😍

Your videos are fantastic. Keep up the good work!

Brilliant as usual HHN . I used the Faringford up to the bridge opening . Spent one winters Friday night staring at the ship stuck on a sand bank off Saltend knowing the tide was still going down for 2 hours . Got to the pier at 11.30 5 hours late !

Fantastic trio of videos as I remember traveling to New Holland and back many times with my uncle in the 70's.. Nice to see their history from fortune to their demise.

Thumbs up mate.

Great series, really enjoyed them thanks. You did well to get that bird to swoop overhead and disappear into the distance just as you described the Stuka over the ferry. 😁

yes! excellent and totally engaging and sort of a bitter sweet story those 'Castles' had such characters and you truly communicated that, as you always do!

Thanks for all your work but especially this one. I loved the ferries. A picnic watching the ferries and hand lining off the pier was a family day out as a kid. When I got older and actually traveled on the ferry I used to dash between watching the beautifully polished engine shafts, the portholes in the saloon, and even back then, doing a bit of a Titanic pose on the bow. Although the film was be decades away. Also, I was very interested to see your videos about North Bridge and the local drains. They where a very important part of my childhood growing up of Cleveland Street and backing on to Fordyke Stream which we just reffered to as "drain". Virtually our only access to "nature" unless you wanted to trek out to East Park (oh yes, and "THE" tree on St Mark's Street). We used to pull out bucketfulls of elvers from the drain in spring. Now apparently endangered and worth more than their weight in gold! btw... you mentioned the revolutionary new concrete techniques in this one while at the Humber Bridge, I wonder if you were also aware of the similar significance of the bridge over For dyke on Cleveland St? There is a plaque on the pillars about it. You can also see the shiny terra cotta like capping stones where our raggy arses polished it smooth over years of climbing over to follow our usual shortcut down drain bank to Hodgeson, Spree, Egton, St Marks, Chapman Streets and on out into what we then considered the wilds. Well, there were trees, grass, rabbits, and stuff. "Down Drain" or Fordyke Stream was our Amazon and the outfall into the Hull, our awesome waterfall. Thank you and keep em coming.

Wonderful! I remember these boats, but even if I didn't, these are very important pieces of historical documentary. Thanks so much! 👍

Great vid cheers

Thanks for another high quality informative series. Enjoyed all three episodes.

A great set of videos. Thanks for making them.

Another great movie! Thank you!

They were the days. Thanks.

great work as always,thanks lad

Thank you for this video, interesting series.

Thank you HHN - all very interesting.

What a bitter sweet end to this set of three videos. I do remember my sister and brother in law having a meal on the Lincoln castle and he ended with food poisoning. When I worked at Charing Cross I would often wander down and see the tattershall moored up. Compared to modern RoRo ferries they are suprisingly small and I often wondered where the cars went

superb

Another intrresting video.

Fantastic video..... one of the reasons I don't need a TV!

I occasionally used to drink on the Lincoln Castle when it was berthed at ezzle foeshur. (sorry couldn't say that without 'ull speak!! 😁😉).

I was living here in Cleethorpes/Grimsby when Lincoln Castle was scrapped in situ where she was berthed. I consider it to have been an act of Gross Vandalism.

Thank you so much, really informative video. I didn't know the Yorkshire Belle had ferried passengers across the Humber!

About 1975 I took my future wife on a cruise, across the water,, cannot remember which castle but memorable never the less.As an aside note ,,its such a shame that us English have so many things be they ships ,aircraft ,or buildings,But the powers that be can never save what we English really want in our hearts,,but will spend millions on say a work of art,or some stately home ,or even Churchill letters..Just does not seem fair..

I think the River Humber must offer scope for a pleasure cruiser to take sightseeing tours of the river. Though maybe some entrepreneur has already costed the project and found it unviable...

Could you do one on the tugs of the Humber? Like generations of industry that goes sort of unnoticed right under our noses.

I remember trips across the Humber on Farringford. Wingfield Castle was in pretty poor state last time I was in Hartlepool and it’s future looks bleak. Sadly Lincoln Castle has already met a grim fate.

I seem to remember my parents & grandparents pronouncing it ‘Tatersall’ Castle, rather than ‘Tatershall’. Am I just imagining this?

Hi there. I live on Beverley road and was delighted today to discover an old railway track that starts on Mount Pleasant road and runs all the way to Hornsea. A great cycling route if one is so inclined! The discovery of this track got me wondering: are there any other such disused railway lines that would now be ideally suited for a cycling trip? Would be grateful for any responses to the above question, and I note that it is in my efforts to google for this information that I stumbled across your channel!

Great final part of the story, or is it? Neither castle can be said to be safe or have a secure future, can it?

Hi seem to have memories of a paddle steamer being moored near humber street that was a nightclub for a while. Or am I loosing my marbles?

what can i say that has not been said below,,,,,,,thank you. brian d.

👏👏👏🖖

Anyone know what the 6, 4 leg structures are at 8:16....?

A pity the engine and paddles of one ferry were not salvaged and preserved-appropriately in the Science Museum-as a working exhibit (An electric motor driving the crankshaft). Surprised and disappointed that more effort was not forthcoming to secure the engines.

Does anyone know what happened to the Farringford?