Bootle Times News

most of the castle is where the brockle bank dock was dug
the stone oberliscks where markers for ships
bobhamo

Bob What a cracking picture that is thank you regards Bob. b

Lovely picture Bob,, so much detail..little boats on the river..beach huts..women and children on the sand...even a flag flying on top of castle..perfect

Well done Bob!

Great photo of the Bootle Castle Bob, you just beat me on the posting.

Thanks all for brilliant photos. I think you are brilliant to find them and to be able to post them as well

now millers bridge

Just for you Tommy, a photo of Millers Bridge.

An oil barrel lies on the road after a spillage in Millers Bridge.

just a update i thought on the map that the castle was now in the dock
but with further investication
it was on the site of the langton castle formily the castle pub
thats why at the back its fort place
wonder if any of the stone from the castle was used for the langton
as it was a very ornate pub and when demolished was take n down stone by stone

bobhamo

You've done your research Bob, go to the top of the class, very interesting topic though!

Very interesting stuff Bob

.

Admiral Francis Spurstow Miller
was born 25 Nov 1863 in Liverpool, Lancashire, England

and died 6 Feb 1954 in Bournemouth, Dorset, England

at age 90.
General Notes: From the website: The London Gazette, Archives,
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk, 12 March 1954, p.57:
Francis Spurstow Miller was born in Litherland Park, Liverpool on 25 November
1863. He was educated at the United Services College, Westward Ho! and entered
the Royal Navy in 1877. Served as a Midshipman aboard the Monarch at the
bombardment of Alexandria, 11 July 1882. Promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in 1883,
Lieutenant in 1885, Commander in 1897 and Captain in 1903. He commanded the
Hawke, 1905-06; Sutlej, 1906-07; Goliath, 1907-09, and Duncan, 1912-13. He was
Assistant Hydrographer Admiralty, 1909-12. Whilst in this post he testified at the British Wreck
Commissioner's Inquiry into the loss of R.M.S. Titanic. During the war he was in administrative charge
of the Scapa Naval Base, 1914-16 and then placed in charge of the Northern Division of the coast of
Ireland, 1917-19. Miller was promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1913 and Vice-Admiral in 1918. In 1919 he
was awarded the C.B. for his wartime services. He retired in 1920, being promoted to Admiral in 1922.
Latterly living in Bournemouth, Admiral Miller died on 6 February 1954.
Noted events in his life were:
•
Census: 1871, Toxteth Park, Lancashire, England.
437
Francis S. Miller, son, 7, born Liverpool,
Lancashire
•
Occupation: Royal Navy, Jan 1877.
34,733
Joined the training ship
Britannia
on this date
•
Census: 1881, Royal Navy, At sea or in a foreign port.
734
Midshipman aboard the
Minotaur
•
Misc: Inquiry into the loss of the SS Titanic, 1912, London, England.
735
Sworn in as a witness:
Capt. Francis Spurstow Miller. Examined by the Attorney-General. His testimony involved questions
concerning searchlights and their use on ships. The inquiry took place at the Wreck Commissioners'
Court at Scottish Hall, Buckingham Gate. At the time of the inquiry, Francis was Assistant
Hydrographer to the Admiralty.
•
Residence: Rothesay Hotel, Bath Road, Feb 1954, Bournemouth, Dorset, England.
448
•
Notice of Death: London Gazette, 12 Mar 1954, London, England.
448
MILLER, Francis Spurstow
relation of william spurstow miller owner of bootle castle
bobhamo

Re; The Langton Castle, this is the fastest demolition I've ever seen, its on Google Earth, based on 2 visits by the G/Earth
camera car, with a number of years in between.
Turn the picture around with your curser, until you can see the Pub, move the white circle to opposite the front door and click, Gone!

http://www.vpike.com/?place=regent+rd+j ... t+View&r=e

Thanks for that information Nicolas said to see all them buildings going lots of people had a pint in there. Bob. b

Brillaint Bob B . If it had been in London it would have been turned into posh flats.

Bob, as always thank you so much for the pictures and information about Bootle Castle. I had no idea Bootle even had a castle. Your pictures and posts are always so very interesting. I always look forward to reading them.....keep them coming!
Elaine

Thought I knew all there was to know about Bootle Bob,!! but I never knew we had our own Castle , am amazed, right on the doorstep too, thanks Bob, joe.

Sorry to be bearer of slightly bad news but it wasn't an actual castle. It was built around 1824 as a mansion house in style of a medieval castle. It was called Bootle Castle & Millers Castle. Built by a solicitor from Liverpool, last name Miller. Hence Millers Bridge named after him. He also had Derby Road constructed. His castle house was demolished when the docks spread along the front. Before then he would have taken the Bootle air along the shore.

Castellated stone manson yes but it was designed as a castle
still a castle to me

bobhamo

From the My Ancestors site;

"Miller's Bridge, Bootle, Lancashire

Miller’s Bridge ran west from Brocklebank Dock until the junction with Oriel Road. It is so named as it crosses both the railway lines and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. The western part of the road was mainly dominated by Danson’s warehouses and other industry connected to the docks, while the area immediately before the bridge was lined by terraced housing. Some of the industrial buildings still stand today, but the terraced houses have been demolished.

In the early 19th century, Bootle was a popular seaside destination for the middle classes. However, many poorer people from Liverpool also wanted to enjoy the bathing and swimming in the river, and did not let lack of bathing suits prevent their fun. This flaunted nudity outraged Victorian sensibilities and a local bylaw was quickly passed banning it. An enterprising local solicitor named William Miller began to rent out bathing machines for swimmers. These were like large sheds mounted on wheels and with a door at each end. The bather would enter at one end, undress while they were wheeled to the river, and then use the opposite door to emerge below the waterline. This was so lucrative that in 1824 he was able to build a huge castle on the shoreline, named Miller’s Castle. Miller died in 1850 and his castle was demolished in the 1860s to make room for the ever expanding docks. The nearby road was named in his honour."


Built on the proceeds from skinny dipping.

A couple of prints.





The cardboard version, constructed in 2018, was pretty impressive as well.

Ok.ok. A Victorian type castle/folly

West Derby & Liverpool had the actual ones.

The Moores (of Old Hall st.) also built a mansion in style of a castle even had a moat. Bank Hall. Around where the train station is.

Great find Dan.
Bobhamo

Both of the engravings, above, of Miller's Castle, posted by Bob, show the bathing machines that helped Miller make his fortune.

I think that was a sly nod of acknowledgement from the engravers.


We also had Sefton Hall.

From the "Molyneux" site;

"A moated stately pile, and one of the homes of Sir William Molyneux, Knight, Lord of Sefton.

Sefton Hall was the seat of the Molyneux family in 1372, and in its pristine grandeur was a stately pile surrounded by a circular moat,

and faced the church. It was taken down at the beginning of the current century, having long previously been a farmhouse."

The family were the hereditary constables of Liverpool Castle.

I think it's a case of "If you want a castle we had one to spare".