The Duke of Edinburgh was the guest of the Mayor at Darwen Bank
OPENING OF THE DOCK BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. Notwithstanding the large issue of our last Saturday’s Special Editions, which contained a report of the opening of the Albert Edward Dock by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, K.G., and attendant festivities, we have reason to believe that a number of country subscribers failed to secure copies. Under these circumstances we have deemed it expedient to republish in this issue a resume of the most interesting portion of the day’s proceedings, believing that all readers will desire to be placed in possession of a complete record of an event of such preeminent importance to the town and county. As stated last week, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Preston on Friday night, and was the guest of the Mayor (Councillor J. Humber), at Darwen Bank, Walton-le-Dale. On the Saturday morning Preston people were early astir, and by nine o’clock the streets presented an unwonted scene of bustle and activity. Excursionists were brought in large numbers from various Lancashire towns and more distant parts of the country, and the principal thoroughfares, particularly those on the route of the Royal procession were densely thronged. Magnificent decorations met the eye of admiring visitors at every turn, and it was admitted on al hands that the town had never been seen to better advantage. By nine o’clock carriages conveying gentlemen who had been invited to join the Royal procession were rapidly making towards Walton, and in that direction most of the sightseers also wended their way. The regulations for conducting the street traffic wore in every respect admirable, and Major Little (the Chief Constable) and the authorities deserve the utmost commendation for the splendid way in which everything was carried out. Generally speaking it may be said there was a manifest disposition to maintain order and to sustain the town’s well authenticated traditions. The crowds who lined the streets were thoroughly good humoured and enthusiastic in their expressions of loyalty, and we have the best authority for saying that H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh was charmed with the welcome accorded him, and that pleasant memories will always be associated with his visit to Preston for the purpose of formally opening the Albert Edward Dock.
The neighbourhood of School-lane up to Darwen Bank presented an animated appearance from shortly after eight o’clock, when people began to assemble to witness the Royal procession. By the time appointed for the guests leaving Darwen Bank the road on both ides was lined with vast crowds of people, and on the Royal party making their appearance, they received a most cordial welcome. The Royal escort was a detachment of the 12th Lancers. The procession was preceded by a carriage containing the Recorder of Preston (Mr. W. H. Higgin, Q.C.), the Town Clerk (Mr. Henry Hamer), the Borough Treasurer (Mr. James Carter), and the Borough Surveyor (Mr. H. Reah). The Royal carriage was drawn by four beautiful bays with postillions, and contained H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, the Mayor and Mayoress (Captain and Mrs. Humber), and the High Sheriff of the County (John Knowles, Esq., D.L.) Then came a carriage in which were seated the Earl of Lathom and the Duke’s Equerry (Col. the Hon. W. T. Colville). Thus the party drove to Walton Bridge, where Major Little, Chief Constable of Preston, and a force of mounted police took the lead. Other carriages were also waiting here and took their respective place in the procession. In the first of these were Mr. W. E. M. Tomlinson, the senior member for the borough; Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart., member for the Blackpool division; Alderman Forshaw, Chairman of the Ribble Committee, and Mrs. Forshaw. In the second, Mr. B. W. Hanbury, junior member for the borough, and Mrs. Hanbury; in the third, Alderman Bibby J.P., vice-chairman of the Ribble Committee, and Miss Bibby; and in the fourth, Mr. Edward Garlick, J.P. (formerly dock engineer), and the present dock engineer, Mr. Benjamin Sykes, and Mrs. Sykes. The streets of Walton village were crowded on both sides, and as the Royal party passed along they were cheered very heartily, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh repeatedly acknowledging the compliments.
Shortly before ten o’clock peals of bells on every side announced to residents in town that the Royal procession was on its way. From the entrance to the borough, all along the route to the dock, a distance of about three miles, the streets were prettily decorated, and thronged with visitors. London-road and adjacent thoroughfares were densely crowded, nud as the procession appeared, about ten minutes past tom, it was met with round after round of cheering. This was continued all along Stanley-street, Church-street, and Fishergate, and again taken up in Bow-Mine, Marsh-lane, and the thoroughfares leading to the dock. In that part of the town the poople had congregated most thickly, and the demonstrations of loyalty were something to be remembered. His Royal Highness, who appeared greatly pleased with his reception, frequently acknowledged the salutes, and expressed his admiration of the the excellent demeanour and behaviour of the crowds.
OPENING OF THE DOCK
BY H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH.
Date: Saturday, July 2, 1892
Publication: Preston Chronicle
Gale Primary Sources, British Library Newspapers:
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/Y3207510162/BNCN?u=lancs&sid=bookmark-BNCN&pg=6&xid=6481fbef
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In 1892, H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh was:
Prince Alfred
He was:
- The second son of Queen Victoria
- Born in 1844
- Created Duke of Edinburgh in 1866
- A career officer in the Royal Navy
- Later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (from 1893)
Why he opened the dock in 1892
At that time he was one of Queen Victoria’s most senior sons and frequently represented the Crown at major civic and industrial openings. His naval background made him a particularly appropriate choice to open the Albert Edward Dock at Preston.
The dock itself was named after the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII), who became king in 1901.
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