NIGHT HAWK INN, Plungington Road

NIGHT HAWK INN   #

Plungington Road

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MINE HOST:

1864     William Robinson

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PRESTON LICENSED VICTUALLERS' AND BEERSELLERS ASSOCIATION

The monthly meeting of this association took place on

Thursday last, at the house of Mr. John Wallin,

the British Empire Inn, Adelphi Street, when some

new members were admitted, and the rules for the

government of the association were distributed. 

On the ballot being taken as to the place of the 

next meeting, it was decided to be held at the

house of Mr. William Robinson, the Night Hawk Inn,

Plungington Road.

Preston Chronicle  13th August 1864

Whether there was ever a pub by this name, I don't suppose we'll

ever know. I think it's likely to be a reflection of current affairs of the time.

Perhaps there was a family reason for referring to his house as the

'Night Hawk Inn.'

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In 1862, during the American Civil War, an iron-clad

blockade runner called the "Night Hawk" was built at the 

Ashton Quays for the Confederate Navy.

Taken from "The Old Lamb and Flag"

by Tom Walsh and Gregg Butler

Carnegie Publishing (1992)

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Night Hawk

Words: Gregg Butler.

Music: ‘Gown of Green’ (trad.)

In ’61 America is torn by Civil War

And blockades by the North halt shipments from Virginia’s shore

The cotton trade is quite shut down, and every Preston mill

Grows strangely quiet, hands laid off and great mill engines still

Bring back the cotton bring us work, let’s banish every frown

Oh give us cotton, give us work bring life to Preston town

Down on Ribble’s marshy banks an iron ship grows fast

From Mackern’s yard she’s fitted out to sail to save our trade at last

If Night Hawk can run the blockade, bring the cotton for our trade

We’ll start the engines work, again and have no need for aid

Bring back the cotton bring us work, let’s banish every frown

Oh save us Night Hawk from our doom bring life to Preston town

But though we need her cotton, yet we shun all Dixie’s ways

For cotton rests on slavery human dignity betrays

So though we starve we must agree, support brave Lincoln’s fight

Not sacrifice for money all that’s decent good and right

So sing no praise to Night Hawk, though our children cry for aid

Until a just end to the war frees up the cotton trade

Yes - ten years back loud was our shout of “ten percent or die”

‘We shall not live like slaves’ and “No surrender” was our cry

How can we then support a land that grinds down negro slaves

Who like us are Gods children, captured, sold across the waves

So sing no praise to Night Hawk, though our children cry for aid

Until a just end to the war frees up the cotton trade

The Night Hawk’s sailed from Liverpool, from Madeira’s Isle she’s clear

She’s steamed hard to Bermuda, then to landfall at Cape Fear

Now Wilmington’s upriver, thirty miles of bank and shoal

And a pilot she must take on board guide her to her goal

Bring back the cotton bring us work, let’s banish every frown

Oh save us Night Hawk from our doom bring life to Preston town

But little did they know the man’s incompetent, unsound

And on a sandbank far from home the Night Hawk’s soon aground

By the Yankee blockade shot at, boarded, looted, set afire

The Night Hawk soon lies ruined, all hopes of success expire

No cotton but no shame for wealth with evil to conspire

For principle’s at stake and Preston’s honour’s not for hire

Now when the war is over Preston’s trade quickly revives

And back to work Prestonians flock and get on with our lives

Once more for industry far famed and innovation drives

Our town to ever greater heights, once more Proud Preston thrives

We’ll spin the yarn, we weave the cloth we’ll shout our fame aloud

And reaffirm each Preston Guild that Preston still is proud.

Thanks to Gregg Butler for the words, and

Heather Crook for bringing it to our attention.

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