Street Names

Plimsoll Street
Hemsworth, near Pontefract. West Yorkshire.   

It is presumed that Plimsoll Street was named after Samuel Plimsoll who was born in Bristol on 10th February 1824. Before he died in 1898, aged 74, he had become famous as a social reformer improving the lives and working conditions of merchant seamen.

Plimsol began work shipping coal to London and soon became one of Britains leading experts on trading in this commodity. In fact he wrote two books on the subject, "The Export Coal Trade of England" and "The Inland Coal Trade."

His expertise in this subject led him to realise what dangers were faced by sailors and how negligent some of the ship owners were. Moreover, he was appalled at the indiference of the government to the issue of marine safety.

He decided to do something about it and decided that if he actually became a Member of Parliament, he could be most effective. In 1868 Plimsoll was elected as Member of Parliament for Derby. Straight away he began campaigning for legislation to protect the lives of seamen. To support his case he published, in 1873, a book outlining the problems facing merchant seamen. It was called "Our Seamen". He gave a copy to every member of the House of Commons.

Eventually, other politicians, notably Lord Shaftsbury and Benjamin Disraeli began to support Plimsoll in his efforts. In 1876 Plimsoll persuaded Parliament to amend the 1871 Merchant Shipping Act. A further amendment was passed in 1877.

This legislation improved working and living conditions for sailors. It also provided for the marking of a line on a ship's side which would disappear below the waterline if the ship were overloaded and therefore dangerous. This line became known as the Plimsoll Line.

It soon became clear that different sailing conditions needed their own lines, therefore ships could be marked thus:-
                                                           
It is no wonder then, that Plimsoll, in his area of expertise was a great social reformer and he became known as "the Seaman's Friend".

For a long time we have pondered why Plimsoll street was so named.  We have found no evidence that he had any links with Hemsworth, and his involvement with the coal industry was perhaps too early for him to be connected in that way.  Hemsworth, also couldn't be further from the sea. 

Our conclusion is that the street was so named to preserve the name of this great social reformer.

Sadly this street has almost vanished because old properties and farm outbuildings have been demolished.  The only property left with a Plimsoll street address, is the Dentist's surgery.
Acknowlegments to "The National Archives Learning Curve" and the Maritime Museum, Dunedin, N.Z.

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If anyone knows the origin of the Street/Avenue/Road names please let us know


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Shaftsbury Terrace -

Victoria Street - Queen Victoria

Hague Crescent - Earl Hague

Vissitt Close -

Lacey Street - Possibly from the De'Lacy's of Pontefract who were the Lords of Pontefract Castle

Wortley Place - Wortley Family

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Cottam Croft    -   Named after a local farming family

Eaton Place      -     Named after Michael Eaton son in law of the Builder 

St. Helens Avenue   -   St. Helen

Cross Street - South side of Westfield Road - This road crosses West Street and Close Street.

Wortley Place -

Marton Avenue

Newton Close    Nurse Newton (Community Midwife from Hemsworth)

Baylee Street

Shamrock Villas

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