Has Just Arrived @ Teignmouth To Discharge Feed
Has Just Arrived @ Teignmouth To Discharge Feed
- SHIP AGENTS BASED IN TEIGNMOUTH - WE SPECIALISE IN ORGANISING THE TRANSPORT OF BULK DRY CARGO -
- FULL PORT SUPPORT SERVICES AVAILABLE - SPECIALIST CARGO HANDLING -
Approaching the 21st Century
In the late 1970’s, Bartlett Brothers (Hauliers) Ltd., was acquired by Pike Ward Ltd to operate and manage the dredging for the local Harbour Authority. In 1980 the ‘Tarway’ a heavy oil/tar tanker built in 1958 which had been converted to a suction dredger was purchased and work commenced. The dredging operations enabled the removal of shingle and sand from the inner harbour and main channel to improve and maintain the navigable channel for shipping, and continued the company’s tradition of vessel ownership.
In 1997 the Harbour Authority commissioned, and took delivery of a new Damen Stan Tug to operate as a plough dredger and auxiliary Pilot boat. Pike Ward Ltd were granted a 10 year management agreement to operate this on their behalf.
In 1987 Associated British Ports (ABP) purchased the Teignmouth Quay Company and took over the running of the docks. A year later David Copeland retired and Stephen Boyne joined his father at Pike Ward Ltd. Over the next two decades the variety of imports varied and the export of clay flourished with tonnages remaining high for a small port.
Company Members of the Institute of Chartererd Shipbrokers.
Company Members of BIMCO.
Authorised collectors of Light Dues for Trinity House.
Shipbroker, seafarer, adventurer and trader.
Pike Ward was just 20 years old when his father formed the company in 1876. George Perkins Ward had returned from the Napoleonic wars and bought a house in Teignmouth. GPW became involved in all matters connected with fishing and boats, selling coal and ship insurance and began importing large fish catches from Labrador. He started a partnership with a local butcher, Thomas Pike whose family had a long seafaring tradition. With the trading company underway in offices at 30 Teign Street, they jointly bought the boat “Three Brothers”. However in the early years of the 20th century they moved to the present offices on Old Quay.
Pike Ward now aged 25 years, gained a partnership in 1881. Over the next 5 years he gained an extensive working knowledge of both the company and the harbour. In 1886 he became Founder Director of the Teignmouth Quay Company.
Pioneering fish trading
The Pike Ward Company traded successfully on fish from Newfoundland but about 1893 this supply stopped. However in the early 19th century the Icelandic fish industry became dominant in salt-fish production. Pike decided to explore the possibilities of trading with Iceland. He travelled to Iceland in 1895 to buy supplies of salted cod. Pike’s agent preceded his visit to show the Icelanders how to prepare fish for the English market. As a result they could receive a decent price for the fish and this ensured an enthusiastic welcome for Pike on arrival. The trade continued until the outbreak of the First World War.
Pike Ward, like his father had a finger in most of the maritime pies and his skill as a shipbroker enabled the company to flourish. His reputation extended throughout the West of England as a seafarer, adventurer and a trader in high altitudes. The coast of Newfoundland knew him and in Iceland he was a legend in the fishing industries.
Mr Pike Ward and Son 1904
Denmark honour 30 years service
In 1924 the King of Denmark conferred on him the Order of the Knight of the Cross of the Icelandic Falcon. A letter accompanying the order read ‘Be it known that on the 17th Day of October 1924, we conferred on the Mr Shipbroker Pike Ward, the Order of the Icelandic Falcon. Later he was to receive the Grand Cross of the Order.
In 1925 Capt Toby joined Pike Ward as a partner. Pike Ward died aged 80 years in 1936 in Teignmouth. In 1946 Capt Toby had taken William H Jackson into the business as his partner and after 10 years, 1956, Capt Toby decided that it was time to retire and to pass the business to William Jackson. He remained the driving force behind the business until his death in 1966. At this point Cyril Boyne and David Copeland became directors and continued the business.
Circa 1850
Circa 1890