THE CARDIFF BOAT INN

The Cardiff boat inn

The first sketch is of the Cardiff Boat, taken from the newspaper article drawn in 1893.

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The newspaper article below was posted in the western mail in 1893.

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The Western Mail

30th November 1893

The Cardiff Boat

ARCHITECTURAL REMNANTS OF OLD CARDIFF.

THE OLD CARDIFF BOAT PUBLIC HOUSE.

SOME INTERESTING ANCIENT CUSTOMS.

BY

OUR ROVING REPORTER

Unlike other large towns Cardiffians little left in the way of architectural remnants to remind us of the past, but still there are a few picturesque bits remaining that cannot fail to be of interest to our renders.

We think we may safely say that the subject of this sketch the old inn at the corner of Womanby street is a good selection for treatment.

At what date it was built it is difficult to find out, but we know that it was enlarged to its present size between 70 and 80 years ago, (1810-20) when it was occupied by Mr, David Evans, who, before taking the house, kept a gun maker’s shop in St. Mary-street, and who was also a non-commissioned officer in the Militia.

Shortly after Mr. Evans became proprietor of the Boat, he was offered the constable-ship of the town, a position which he accepted, and held for many years, and he performed the duties in such a way as to gain the respect of all who knew him, The magistrates in office in those days could often be seen sitting around David’s parlour table at the Boat, chatting over the latest gossips of the town.

David Evans gave, twice a year, a “pie or pasty” —an institution which was more popularly known as the “revels.”

These” revels” constituted a gay and festive time which was kept up from the beginning of one week until the commencement of the next, a dance being held every evening and continued throughout the night.

The public-houses at that time, it may be mentioned, were allowed to remain open all night.

Of course, these “revels” largely increased the income of the publican-policeman,” and he wanted it, for the salary allowed at that time by the corporation was barely enough to keep David himself, without throwing in the family.

Another curious custom was then in existence.

On the death of an inmate of the workhouse one gallon of beer was supplied from the Cardiff Boat, and paid for by the parish, to be consumed by the mourners and the undertaker. It is evident that there were no Ebenezer Evans’ on the committees in those days.

At the time Evans took the office of town-constable, he had no men under him. He was the only policeman the town could boast of, and rumour hath it that David had his hands full, but before many years had passed he was in command of a force of twelve constables or watchmen who met every night at twelve o’clock at the old town gaol in St. Mary-street, and made their reports to their chief, and he duly entered them in a big book.

David being offered the appointment of gaoler in place of Mr. Woods, he removed to the town gaol, and left the management of the Boat to his family.

Mr. Woods, who had held the post of town gaoler, was appointed governor of the county gaol, a position which he held for many years, and his death was deeply regretted by all the old Cardiffians who knew him.

David Evans, who was a martyr, to gout, and whose health had for some time been failing him, shortly afterwards retired from his office.

At this period Mr. Jeremiah Box Stockdale, or “Jerry,” as he was more familiarly called. Made his first appearance in Cardiff to take the office of chief-constable, vacated by ex-Chief Evans.

On his arrival in the town he took up his quarters at the Boat, and the receipted bill for his board and lodgings is now in the possession of a well-known Cardiff gentleman.

The Cardiff Boat being offered for sale, it was purchased by Mr Stockdale, and for the second time the old Boat had a police officer at the helm, but the corporation, which, even as far back as those days, was noted for their moral and highly intellectual attributes, strongly objected to “Jerry” keeping a “pub.” and at the same time filling the dignified office of chief of the police, Consequently, the Cardiff Boat was again in the market.

Stockdale was the first person to introduce the wearing of uniforms into the Cardiff Police Force, for in the time of Evans the constables wore civilians’ clothing.

On Sundays however, when they escorted the corporation to the parish Church, they carried a long rod to denote their office.

“Jerry,” so it is said by some of Cardiff’s old townsmen, created no little excitement by wearing a sword at his side and silver buckles on his shoes.

It is all stated that he served in the ranks of a Spanish regiment, but of this there is little proof.

Of late years the old inn has seen many ups and down” At on time it was the property of Mr, Dominic Watson, and is now owned by Mr, Councillor Brain.

The lessee for the last fourteen years has been Mr. James Thomas.

In 1886 the licence was transferred to the Tudor Hotel, Riverside, and since that time the Boat has ceased to be a “house of call,” but Mr. Thomas, like a true skipper, still “stands” by his little vessel.

Many passing up and down Womanby street would fail to notice this interest old house unless their attention was especially called to it.

Looking upwards the eye naturally falls on the Large sign over the door, which represents a painting of the Boat, still sailing along as merrily as of old and looking almost as fresh as when it left the brush of the painter.

The house, shorn of its plaster covering, and its bricks and stones laid bare to the fury of the storms, stands in its tattered remnants a relic of the good old times gone by.

The second sketch is a rough hand drawn street map I made to show the location of the Cardiff Boat on Womanby street, the inn was on the corner of the lane that leads into Jones court directly off Womanby street.