Baker, Percy and Jack – the boat-building Siddalls

It is almost impossible to look at the harbour in Bridlington or any postcard of Bridlington in the summer without seeing at least one craft built by one or more of a three-generation boat-building family of craftsmen.

The firm Siddall & Son was started about 1890 when the founder, Baker Siddall, born in Bridlington in 1864, turned his hand to boat-building. His father had been a ship's carpenter and had died at sea when Baker Siddall was a young boy. Baker had always been interested in boats and a model of a three-masted clipper which he made as a young teenager was presented to the Bridlington Council. It is now on show at the Museum in Sewerby Hall.

Soon after Baker started his business, he and his brother George, a master builder, built a workshop in Bow Street, where it stands to this day.

Boat-building and boat repairing was not always a busy trade, especially during the summer months and, to supplement his business, Baker built himself a fleet of rowing boats, hiring them out from the north beach at Bridlington.

Baker Siddall was to be joined by his son Percy at the age of twelve and in due course by his grandson Jack Siddall. Both continued in the same pattern, boat-building in the winter and hiring out rowing boats in the summer.

During the boat-building season, the workshop was always a popular place for many a man or boy to spend an hour or so watching the boats take shape. In the early days before electricity was installed, the worked was carried out in lamp-light and candle-light and everything was done by hand.

The types of boat built varied both in size and shape and included the Yorkshire cobles - which incidentally cost around £90 in the early 1900s - ferry boats, motor boats, rowing boats, salmon boats and many others.

All the rowing boats were clinker built and the planks were steamed ready for bending in a specially built long steaming box. A bill of sale still exists for Mr Fred Smith of Slipway for six rowing boats for £30 in 1892.

There were never any plans to work to, except for a few measurements scribbled on the back of a cigarette packet. All three generations relied on the keenness of their eye for the shape and, as each boat was finished, a mark was scratched on the wall of the workshop. Well over 500 marks have appeared over the years.

The wood used was always of the very best quality, chosen whilst the tree was still growing in Boynton Woods. The tree was then felled and planked, then stacked in slots outside Bow Street workshop to season for many months before use.

Some of the cobles built included Frances, Silver Line, My Judith, Elsie May, Lily, Three Bs, Mon Plaisir and Three Brothers. This latter vessel has been restored to her former glory, complete with sails, and is now back in Bridlington harbour.

Rowing boats were built for Sid "Yank" Tallentire, Fred Smith and his son Spodge, "Jean" Martin, Ted Newby and many more. Boats were also sold and used at other seaside and lakeside areas. It is said that when a rowing boat was built for Filey (nine miles north of Bridlington), Baker and Percy would row it there. This was before transport was available.

During the First World War, Percy Siddall joined the Royal Navy and twice the ship in which he served was torpedoed and he was rescued. Baker meanwhile went to sea in a trawler. A rule was made that each trawler must carry a tender and for this purpose Baker built a suitable boat in one weekend. It was named Felicity and was to be used in the harbour for many years. Jack Siddall served for six years in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and was minesweeping prior to the D-Day landings.

Generations of holidaymakers used to reappear each summer to hire out the rowing boats or have a penny ride in Selby Abbey - the penny-rider boat. The fleet of boats were rowed onto the north beach each day and rowed back to the harbour later, often in a south-easterly gale.

Over the years scores of young boys, including several of Percy Siddall's grandsons, acted as boatlads and they would bring in the boats to the wooden stages ready for people to embark. They would then help to moor up back in the harbour and for this they would receive pocket money.

Sadly the boat-building and hiring firm came to an end in 1972 on the death of Jack Siddall. Looking into Bridlington harbour however, the life's work of three generations of the local boat-building firm will live on for many years to come, and will give pleasure and a living to many more people.

Taken from "Any More For Sailing," by Mike Wilson, published 1995. The book is now out of print.

Here's a sketch of Three Brothers

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Contact michael.wilson@tesco.net for further information.