THE NORMAN NICHOLSON HOUSE PROJECT
The Haverigg Riots
We’ve already seen that alcohol-fuelled rioting broke out around this very area in July 1866. A police constable narrowly escaped with his life and the trouble which began on the Saturday went on into the following week. On Wednesday afternoon and evening the troubles reached a climax when the mob attacked the Harbour Hotel, which was kept by Richard Cleasby. They took possession of the bar, smashed the windows and wrecked everything that came in their way. They then helped themselves to a cask containing eight gallons of rum and continued to call at other public houses in the village. Landlords took what precautions they could and Miles Brockbank of the Britannia armed himself with a loaded pistol and shot one of the rioters in the back of the neck. He then fled and was never seen or heard of again.
On Thursday morning events had become so serious that the police superintendent from Whitehaven brought a total of 30 policemen, by train, armed with short swords. When they arrived in Haverigg about 100 rioters were preparing to defend themselves against the navvies. When they heard the police had arrived the men ran off in all directions, hiding in corn and hay fields. This escape route would have included Sandham Lane and the surrounding fields. The police followed and arrested 15 of the rioters.
The police then asked all the publicans in Haverigg to close their doors. However the troubles continued and reports were made of Irish navvies intending to attack the homes of the English miners. The police lay in wait and in the early hours of Friday morning they surrounded the group of several hundred navvies, who were armed with sticks and implements. They surrendered immediately and were dispersed. A number of men were arrested. No further disturbances took place according to the Whitehaven News, though the presence of an extra 20 policemen and 20 special constables helped to quell the troubles.
We’ve already seen that alcohol-fuelled rioting broke out around this very area in July 1866. A police constable narrowly escaped with his life and the trouble which began on the Saturday went on into the following week. On Wednesday afternoon and evening the troubles reached a climax when the mob attacked the Harbour Hotel, which was kept by Richard Cleasby. They took possession of the bar, smashed the windows and wrecked everything that came in their way. They then helped themselves to a cask containing eight gallons of rum and continued to call at other public houses in the village. Landlords took what precautions they could and Miles Brockbank of the Britannia armed himself with a loaded pistol and shot one of the rioters in the back of the neck. He then fled and was never seen or heard of again.
On Thursday morning events had become so serious that the police superintendent from Whitehaven brought a total of 30 policemen, by train, armed with short swords. When they arrived in Haverigg about 100 rioters were preparing to defend themselves against the navvies. When they heard the police had arrived the men ran off in all directions, hiding in corn and hay fields. This escape route would have included Sandham Lane and the surrounding fields. The police followed and arrested 15 of the rioters.
The police then asked all the publicans in Haverigg to close their doors. However the troubles continued and reports were made of Irish navvies intending to attack the homes of the English miners. The police lay in wait and in the early hours of Friday morning they surrounded the group of several hundred navvies, who were armed with sticks and implements. They surrendered immediately and were dispersed. A number of men were arrested. No further disturbances took place according to the Whitehaven News, though the presence of an extra 20 policemen and 20 special constables helped to quell the troubles.