Lancaster Port Commission
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Lancaster Port Commission is the statutory harbour authority for the Port of Lancaster in England. It is now based at Glasson Dock.{{cite web |title=About Us – Lancaster Port Commission |url=https://www.lancasterport.org/about-us/ |website=www.lancasterport.org |publisher=Lancaster Port Commission |access-date=12 May 2021}} It was set up by act of parliament to facilitate the role that the port could play in international trade, particularly the Atlantic slave trade. Many of the early commissioners were active slave traders.{{cite web |last1=Moffitt |first1=Dominic |title=A 2000-year history of slavery across Lancashire |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/2000-year-history-slavery-across-18386146 |website=LancsLive |publisher=LancsLive |access-date=12 May 2021 |language=en |date=14 June 2020}}
History
Several Lancaster merchants and ship owners asked parliament for support in dealing with problems experienced in operating from Lancaster, Lancashire.{{cite web |title=History – Lancaster Port Commission |url=https://www.lancasterport.org/history/ |website=www.lancasterport.org |publisher=Lancaster Port Commission |access-date=12 May 2021}} This led to the passage of the River Lune Navigation Act 1749 (23 Geo. 2. c. 12): "An Act for improving the Navigation of the River Loyne, otherwise called Lune; and for building a Quay or Wharf near the Town of Lancaster in the County Palatine of Lancaster".{{cite web |title=River Lune Navigation Act 1749 |url=https://vlex.co.uk/vid/river-lune-navigation-act-808170641 |website=vLex |access-date=12 May 2021 |language=en}} This led to the construction of St George's Quay in 1750, and the Custom House was completed in 1764.
Robert Foxcroft was appointed chief customs officer and given the title of Collector. H had oversight of a substantial staff including searchers, clerical officers, landing and coast waiters, a surveyor and a weighing porter.{{cite web |title=The Customs House : Lancaster Maritime Museum |url=https://lancashirepast.com/2019/02/02/the-customs-house-lancaster-maritime-museum/ |website=Lancashire Past |publisher=Lancashire Past |access-date=12 May 2021 |language=en |date=2 February 2019}}
Port Commissioners
- Abraham Rawlinson, slaver and subsequently MP for Lancaster
- Charles Inman, slaver
- Thomas Hinde, slaver
- Dodshon Foster (1755-1758), slaver
- Thomas Satterthwaite(1755-1758), slaver
- Robert Dodson (1764-1767){{cite book |last1=Laurens |first1=Henry |title=The papers of Henry Laurens |date=1968 |publisher=South Carolina Historical Society |location=Columbia}}
References
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External links
- {{official website|https://www.lancasterport.org/}}
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