Wharf House/Clarendon Hotel/Ship Inn (5)

Wharf/Esplanade
On or around 97 Esplanade (Google Maps)

1837-45 George Lukin, Wharf House, Wharf
1845-50 Alexander Mathieson, Wharf House, Wharf
1850-53 Edward Humphries, Wharf House (burnt down)
1854-55 Edward Humphreys, Clarendon Hotel
1855-57 Thomas Bruff, Clarendon Hotel, Wharf
1857-58 Mary Ann Hedger, Clarendon Hotel, Wharf
1858-59 John Gibbons, Clarendon Hotel, Wharf
1859-64 John Mason, Ship Inn, Wharf
1865-66 Thomas Bruff, Ship Inn, Wharf
1867 John Hely, Duke of Edinburgh
1868 William Bryant, Ship Inn, Wharf
1871-72 Mary Anne Spearman, Ship Inn, (Queen’s Wharf)
1872-73 William Job Spearman, Ship Inn, Wharf
1873 Harriet Boulin, Ship Inn, Wharf
1874-75 John West, Ship Inn, (Queen’s) Wharf

Alexander Mathieson, Wharf House, Wharf. — Two convictions, one of which was for Sunday trading ; house dirty and not at all well conducted, and on the Police Magistrate’s visit was full of drunken sailors.
Capt. Gardiner: — The respectable publicans are driven to bankruptcies by the conduct of these disorderly houses.— Refused.
Cornwall Chronicle, 2 September 1846

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.
The most destructive fire that ever occurred in Launceston, if not in the colony, took place between twelve and one o’clock this morning, and. terminated in the entire destruction of the extensive and Valuable premises on the wharf, known as Reid’s Stores, the property of Mr. R. H. M’Kenzie, the premises of Captain Pryde, ship-chandler, Mrs. Lukin’s brewery, dwelling-house, and out-buildings, the large inn, known as the Wharf-House, kept by Mr. E. Humphries, and the premises of Mr. G. Fisher, together with nearly the whole of the valuable property contained in the various building. . . . Nearly all the property of Mrs. Lukin and Mr. Humphries was destroyed, nothing but the walls of the building remaining
The Courier, 7 March 1853

MEETING FOB GRANTING TRANSFERS AND PACKET LICENCES,—The Quarterly Meeting of Justices, for the above purpose, was held on “Monday last at the police office, the following magistrates being present :— W. Gunn, H. Welman, J. G: Gregson, W. G. Sams, J. B. Thomas, J. Reid, A. Thomson, T. B. Bartley, C. G. Casey, and H. Graham, Esquires, Mr. Gregson presiding; the whole of business transacted was the granting of transfers from Edward Humphreys to Thomas Bruff of the Clarendon Hotel, on the Wharf; the Royal Hotel, Wellington-street, from William Clydesdale to David Rose; and a Packet license for the steam boat “Cobre” to Mr. Gibbons.
The People’s Advocate, 9 August 1855

GOOD-WILL, LEASE, AND FURNITURE OF PUBLIC HOUSE FOR SALE.
W T. BELL Is instructed by Mr. Bruff, who is compelled to proceed to England, to dispose of by private contract the good-will, lease, and furniture of the Clarendon Hotel, situated on the wharf, and doing an extensive ready-money business.
The lease and good-will are to be sold either with or without the furniture. For full
particulars, apply at the Auction Mart.
Launceston Examiner, 5 September 1857

From “Quarterly Licensing Meeting”:
The next application was for a transfer of the license for the Clarendon Hotel, on the wharf, from Thomas Bruff to Mary Ann Hedger.
The Police Magistrate said he did not think Mrs. Hedger a proper person, being unmarred, to have charge of such a house, situated on the wharf, as the Clarendon Hotel was. He had observed that when Mrs. Hedger kept the Royal Oak, where some irregularities at night had occurred, another person appeared to conduct the business, and acted as master, and he thought such an arrangement was one which the magistrates ought not to sanction.
Mr. Sams said he had known Mrs. Hedger for 20 years, and she bore a good character, which was shown by the manner in which she had conducted the house she held last.
Mr. Miller said, as a resident near the Royal Oak, he had never observed the slightest impropriety.
Captain Reid bore similar testimony.
Commander Drew said the house was then conducted better than it was now.
Major Welman said in his perambulations he had seen nothing to complain of in the manner in which Mrs. Hedger had conducted the house.
Mr. Sams observed that it had always been his maxim never to punish on mere suspicion.
Commander Drew concurred, but said it was necessary that justice should be done to all parties.
The Police Magistrate said he conceived the remark of Mr. Sams conveyed a reflection on him. He would never shrink from the responsibilities of Iris official position in any case. He would state what he believed his duty required him to state.
The chairman said it was not merely the duty of the Police Magistrate to act as lie had done, but he was sure the Justices were indebted to him for giving them the benefit of his experience and knowledge as Police Magistrate.
The transfer was then granted.
Launceston Examiner, 3 November 1857

MRS. MARY ANN HEDGER, formerly Iy of the Royal Oak Inn, respectfully intimates to her friends and the public generally, having taken the Clarendon Hotel, and begs to assure them that she has excellent accommodation, and that all attention will be paid to their comfort.
The stock of Wines and Liquors are of the very best description, and hopes that the moderation of her charges will meet with the approval of her customers.
Launceston Examiner, 5 December 1857

From “Quarterly Licensing Meeting”:
John Gibbons, for transfer of license of the “Clarendon Hotel,” on the wharf, at present occupied by Mary Ann Hedger.
Launceston Examiner, 3 August 1858

Cornwall Chronicle, 4 January 1860

Mr. Jn. Mason, landlord of the “Ship Inn,” Queen’s Wharf, with his usual liberality, and with the view of encouraging healthy and harmless athletic amusements, has given a reward or prize of a very handsome pair of mounted pistols, to be rowed for in three Watermen’s boats, (Sisters, Green Linnet, and Jubilee), by some of his amateur aquatic friends at five o’clock this evening. The boats to start from Green’s Wharf round the second pile in Tea Tree Reach and pull back to Green’s Wharf. From the known skill of the pullers and aptitude of the little coxswaine, an interesting half hour’s contest is anticipated.
Cornwall Chronicle, 28 January 1860

ANNUAL LICENSING DAY.
THE Bench seem to be sensible that the time has now arrived when licenses should be refused to all inferior houses. This is not only necessary in order to encourage the improvement of the town, but it is only an act of justico to those who have expended large sums of money to provide the accommodation an inn should possess. Without enumerating brick buildings of a secondary class which are entitled to a license, we may point to the “Launceston,” the “Brisbane,” the “Club,” the “Criterion,” the “Dorset,” and “Court House” Hotels-to the ” Golden Lion,” “Elephant and Castle,” and “Ship Inn.” Is it fair to the owners and occupiers of these properties to grant licenses to what the Police Magistrate very properly designed wooden “rattletraps”? No one with any sense of fairness would contend it was equitable.
Launceston Examiner, 4 December 1860

Thomas Bruff, Ship Inn, Wharf.
The Police Magistrate remarked that for a considerable portion of last year there had been irregularity and domestic squabbling, though there had not been so much lately. A caution to Mr.Bruff would perhaps have a good effect.
Application granted.
Launceston Examiner, 2 December 1865

The Annual Licensing Meetings will be held on Monday next. Amongst the application is one from Alfred Stephen Harris for a license to the house at the corner of Bathurst and York-streets, formerly “Lamb and Flag.” Mr Hely intends to alter the designation of “The Ship Inn,” Wharf, to that of “The Duke of Edinburgh,” and Mr Walter Harris intends to alter the title of his new premises at the corner of Charles and Patterson-streets from “The Turf Hotel” to “The Plough Inn.”
Cornwall Chronicle, 30 November 1867

TO LET—That old-established licensed house on the Wharf, known as the “SHIP INN” now occupied by Mrs. Spearman. For Terms, apply at the Savings Bank
GEORGE PULLEN, Actuary.
Cornwall Advertiser, 8 December 1871

From “Annual Licensing Meeting, Launceston”:
William Job Spearman, Ship Inn, Wharf
Mr Mason said that Mrs Spearman, the present holder of the license, had been fined £1 the other day, for having ad- mitted persons after hours. The cause of this appeared to be that the adjoining house had been let to a tenant who used part of it for a dancing room. A ball was given there on the night in question to which persons of bad character were admitted and admission to the Ship Inn could be had by a side door in the gateway, an entrance common to both houses. The Mayor said the licensed house had two entrances from the street. The police had taken action for closing the dancing room, and an information with reference to it was to be heard next day. Mr Spearman was a new applicant for the license.
Granted.
Cornwall Chronicle, 4 December 1872

THE SHIP INN.— Mrs Harriet Susannah Boulin applied at tho Police Court yester day before the Police. Magistrate and Robert De Little Esq., J.P., for permission to sell liquors at the Ship Inn, Queen’s Wharf, under tho license held by Mr William Spearman, .until the next quarterly licensing mooting. Permission was granted.
Cornwall Chronicle, 7 May 1873

A Dangerous Bigamist.— A man named Robert McDonald; alias Bernard McDonald, was apprehended on Tuesday for bigamy. It appears that he had been threatening Mrs Susannah Boulin , of the Ship Inn, Queen’s Wharf, and actually took possession! of the inn and put two men out, who do duty as deputy sheriff’s officers in charge. McDonald is Mrs Boulin’s . husband, but he is also the husband of another woman, and on this charge he is in custody. Both marriages are registered in this colony, though Mr and Mrs’ McDonald have been resident Victoria for some time. He deserted her at Sandhurst and she had great diffiulty in maintaining their family of six children, and she was allowed a protection order to prevent him from ? taking away her earnings. He was for some time in the Melbourne Hospital and then in that at Sandhurst, arid his ‘wife returned to this colony taking her mother’s name (Boulin), in .order to escape him, as he had used her very harshly. She took the Ship Inn from Mr ‘ Spearman, arid was supporting . her family respectably here when McDonald arrived, and being under the impression that she was making money rapidly, he threatened her with a revolver, and similar mild persuaders, to hand over to him all her means of livelihood ; When brought before Mr Mason on Tuesday he said he-had been ill for a long period in the Melbourne and ‘Sandhurst Hospitals, and during his illness his wife had sold off and left him destitute. The facts are said to be all against McDonald and creditable to his persecuted wife. He stands remanded for a week on the charge of bigamy.
The Tasmanian, 30 August 1873

Trial
Conclusion of trial

Sale of Property. — Tho property fronting on the Queen’s wharf known as Lukin’s brewery, with the Ship Inn adjoining it, was put up for sale at tho mart of Messrs. Bell and Wcstbrook on 21st ul. and bought in at £1150. It has since been sold privately to Mr George Shield of the Queen’s wharf, and Mr Lowe engineer of the tug steamer, for £1200. Tho property extends back to the frontage on William-street, and must soon become very valuable. We believe the erection of the buildings cost about £15,000 in what is now referred to us ‘ tho good times.
The Tasmanian, 3 October 1874

PUBLIC GENERALLY.–John West, late of Ship Hotel, begs to make it known that he has taken those commodious premises, joining the Steam Packet Hotel, Wharf, and has now opened the same as a Temperance Hotel, whore his friends and the public will be treated ‘with the comforts of a home, combined with moderate charges and every attention. John West, Temperance Hotel, Wharf.
The Tasmanian, 1 May 1875