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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