The Steamer

The Steamer public house is located at 1-2 Queens Terrace, FY7 6BT – opposite the Victoria Street entrance to the Market. The What3Words reference is factored.response.mugs.

The Steamer

History of The Steamer

The Steamer was the third public house to be built in Fleetwood and opened in 1840. It gets its name from the Ardrossan to Fleetwood Steamer ship.

Originally, at the back of the hotel were stables and an ostler’s workshop. The doorway, windows and frontage of The Steamer originally matched the houses alongside, with ornate signage above the gutter line. The Steamer is on Queen’s Terrace, one of the oldest areas of Fleetwood. This area is home to some remarkable buildings.

Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood and Lady Fleetwood stayed at the Steamer several times during official visits in the 1850s, when they were residing in the South. Over the years, Fleetwood grew as a stopping-off point for people travelling further north. They would take a train to Fleetwood and then a boat onwards. This growth likely contributed to the success and longevity of The Steamer.

The large doorway and the large bay windows to Queens Terrace were later additions to the building. Some locals believe it to have been two houses knocked into one and the entrance moved on Dock Street. The old entrance was where the ladies toilet is now. Also, it is believed there used to be a tunnel under Dock Street connecting the docks with a cellar bar in the Steamer which was used by the better off.

The inquest for the American Confederate Officer, Commander Arthur Sinclair III, was held at The Steamer in 1864. His body was found off Fleetwood by James Wilson, skipper of a Fleetwood fishing vessel. Commander Sinclair was lost from his steamship, The Lelia, off North Wales. The officer was buried in Fleetwood Cemetery and is the only known casualty of the American Civil War to be buried on British soil.

Reasons for plaque award

The Steamer is now the oldest public house in Fleetwood and should be remembered for its history.

Use the map and walk the route around Fleetwood – find all the other sites and buildings in the trail.

Colouring In Fleetwood

Why don’t you download, print out and complete this FREE colouring in sheet of The Steamer. Click on the image to download it. Find all of the colouring in sheets for the Fleetwood Blue Plaque trail here.

Links to other websites

• The Steamer: Fleetwood | Home • foodanddrinksites.co.uk
• The Steamer • Facebook Page
• The Steamer Community Page • Facebook