Evidence: Taken Before the Marine Committee, Under an Appointment of the Board, of the 2Nd April, 1863, to Enquire Into the Necessity for the Establishment of a River Police, and to Report Thereon to the Board

Evidence: Taken Before The Marine Committee, Under An Appointment Of The Board, Of The 2Nd April, 1863, To Enquire Into The Necessity For The Establishment Of A River Police, And To Report Thereon To The Board. This volume records the proceedings of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board’s Marine Committee as it investigates the alleged crimping practices along the River Mersey and considers the creation of a River Police. The hearings, conducted in 1863, feature testimony from pilots, shipmasters, town officials, and chaplains of the Mersey Mission to Seamen. Witnesses describe how crimps operate from the river to the docks, enticing sailors ashore with grog and lodging-house networks, deterring proper docking discipline, and compromising vessel safety. The discussions cover the scale and geography of crimpage, evaluation of existing regulations, and potential advantages of a river police—including patrols, dockside enforcement, and boat licensing. The Marine Surveyor’s cost estimates range from row-boats to a steam vessel, with annual expenses discussed. The proceedings illuminate mid-19th-century port governance, sailor welfare, and policy choices aimed at suppressing crimpage in Liverpool’s harbor.