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P2itself. The Harbours Act 2000 amalgamated the Shannon Estuary Ports and Foynes PortCompany to form the Shannon Foynes Port Company.It should be noted also that from 1823 onwards, the Limerick Harbour Commissioners actedas the Pilotage Authority for the entire Shannon Estuary from the Limerick City to LoopHead/Kerry Head including the navigable waters of all tributaries and inlets. The PilotageCommittee of the Harbour Commissioners consisted of two pilot representatives, sevenmembers of the Harbour Commissioners, the secretary of the Harbour Commissioners, andthe Harbour Master who also acted as the Pilotage Superintendent. In 1844, the PilotageCommittee assumed direct responsibility for the administration of pilotage on the RiverShannon. For operational reasons the pilotage body was divided into two divisions theWestern (who assisted vessels up river as far as Cain’s Island), where by a pilot from theEastern Division took over and assisted the vessel to Limerick, The members of the easterndivision piloted the vessels westwards from Limerick as far as Scattery Island or further ifnecessary. ‘Scattery men’ were the men who provided pilotage services inward to Limerick,who had settled on Scattery Island in the1830’s. From 1945 the Western pilots broughtvessels right up to Limerick. Additionally there were “Tributary pilots” licensed to pilotvessels on the final stage to Saleen Creek (Ballylongford), Foynes, Askeaton and the Fergus.Pilots earnings are pooled, and divided in accordance with the arrangements laid down bythe bye laws.The CollectionThe collection is divided into two main sections, each with several sub sections. The firstsection consists mainly of records from the Boards of the Harbour Commissioners, and fromthe office of the Secretary. These records relate to decision making of Limerick HarbourCommissioners, administration of the Board, and the development of Limerick Harbour.The include minute books, extract minute books, rough minute books, and agenda books ofthe Harbour Commissioners dating from 1830-1978 (P2/1/1-28). It also includes the minutebooks of sub committees such as the Finance Committee (P2/1/29-39), the PilotageCommittee and the licensing of pilots (P2/1/40-48), and sub-committees set up to investigatespecific matters (P2/1/49-59). Additional, there is a sub section consisting of recordsoriginating from the Office of the Secretary. The secretary was appointed by the HarbourCommissioners, and recorded the minutes of all meetings held by the Commissioners,including sub committees meetings. The secretary also managed the correspondence of the4 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2Harbour Commissioners. Therefore of particular interest for those researching the mainconcerns of the Harbour Commissioners, are the secretary’s letter books which dating 18961950 (P2/1/60-80). Also included in this sub section are records relating to use of thegraving dock, as applications were processed by the secretary (P2/1/85-87), and financialrecords of the secretary- namely cash books and ledgers (P2/1/88-98). The final sub- sectionconsists of newspaper cuttings and other printed material. There are several scrapbooks ofnewspaper cuttings, which may be useful to researchers as they consist of cuttings relatingto Limerick Harbour Commissioner, development of the Limerick port and river Shannon,and national maritime affairs. (P2/1/99-104). Also included are printed specifications forseveral of the major building works carried out by Limerick Harbour in the nineteenthcentury. (P2/1/109-110).The second section consists of records from the Office of the Collector of Rates. It consistmainly of financial records which relate to daily activities such as levying of harbour dueson importers and exporters; to capital expenditure; and to current expenditure including thepayment of wages of employees of the Harbour Commissioners. The first sub section relatesto the collection of harbour dues such as tonnage, dockage, quayage, import and export, andcoal duties. These records date from 1843 to 1971 and are useful for highlighting how theHarbour Commissioners raised revenue, the type and quantity of goods being imported andexported via Limerick Harbour, the names of importers and exporters, and the name andsize of vessels used. The next sub section consists of information regarding importers andexporters from Limerick Harbour. It consists of records dating 1831-1976 which calculatethe quantity of goods imported and exported annually (P2/29-36), and qualification bookswhich calculate whether importers, exporters, and rate payers have qualified to vote in theelection of Limerick Harbour Commissioners (P2/2/37-40). Also included in the collectionare financial records of the Harbour Commissioners. These include cashbooks, ledgers andjournals. These records are useful for showing the cost of capital and current expenditure,and amount of income earned by the Harbour throughout the nineteenth and twentiethcentury. There is also a section of records relating specifically to pilotage (P2/2/78-137), anda section relating specifically to employees wages (P2/2/138-150). Included in this sectionare lists of workmen’s accounts, which names individuals employed by Limerick HarbourCommissioners between 1869-70 (P2/2/140-141)The collection is invaluable for those researching development of Limerick Harbour and theRiver Shannon, import and export trade in Limerick, maritime affairs in Ireland, key5 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2importers and exporters from Limerick, and also the history of the Harbour Commissionersin developing trade in Limerick, relationship with Limerick Corporation, and Chamber ofCommerce, and as major employers in the nineteenth and twentieth century.In addition to the records noted on the descriptive list, Limerick Harbour Commissionersalso retained the following; a portfolio of tracing of proposed floating dock in 1840’s;printed accounts; tide tables and notices from the 1880’s; a collection of photographic slidesrelating to the building of the dock extension at Limerick in the late 1930’s; and 700 mapsplans,The Office of Public Works records held by National Archives of Ireland, and records heldby the National Archives of United Kingdom also include some material relating toLimerick Harbour. Researchers should also consult the Limerick Chamber of Commerce(P1) and Limerick Custom House Collection (P16) held by Limerick Archives. A full list ofLimerick Bridge Commissioners and Limerick Harbour Commissioners dating 1823-1994can be found in A Rising Tide: The Story of Limerick Harbour.SourcesDonnelly, Kevin, Hoctor, Michael and Walsh, Dermot (compilers): A Rising Tide: The Storyof Limerick Harbour. Limerick Harbour Commissioners, 1994.6 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2Lovett, Phil: The Development of Limerick Harbour and its Authority in the 19th Century.B.A. Thesis, European Studies Project, 1981.Marmion, A.: The Maritime Ports of Ireland7 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/I Boards and Committees of Limerick Bridge and Harbour Commissioner(i) Board of Limerick Harbour Commissioners Minutes(a) Minute Books (1830-1978)See DM 39.1The earlier Minute books relate to the Limerick Bridge Commissioners, thepredecessors of the Harbour Commissioners. Alphabetical indexes areincluded from volume 7 (1877-1890). From March 1931, the Minutes areprinted. While the first minute book is no longer extant, extracts from it weretranscribed into one of the Minutes Extract Books (see P2/1/15-17) in the late19th century. Not held by Limerick Archives14 volumes12Missing15 April 1830 - 28 July 183634 August 1836 - 5 October 1843412 October 1843 - 22 April 1852529 April 1852 - 15 February 1867625 February 1867 - 7 May 1877721 May 1877 - 17 November 1890815 November 1890 – 20 December 190391 January 1904 - 11 April 19271025 April 1927 – 5 January 19481119 January 1948 - 2 January 1956121956 – 1966131966 – 1978see DM39.214In Progress(b) Minute Extract Books (1823-1906)7 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/Minute Book Extract volumes with extracts from the Minute Books of the Bridgeand Harbour Commissioners. Entries are chronological and record date ofminutes, details of resolution, and reference to minute book folio. All-importantdecisions relating to the Harbour Commissioners are mentioned, includingappointment of staff, deaths of staff, election of Commissioners, portdevelopments, letting of premises, collection of dues etc. The first two volumesinclude alphabetical indexes. The third volume is arranged under headingsrecording the date, the minute book, folio, subject, proposer and seconder.Includes also extracts from acts of Parliament relating to the Commissionersgenerally and to the duties of the Collector specifically, general notes regardingaccounts (1893), names, ages, addresses and work experience of 36 individuals(c. 1893) and lists of Limerick Pilots with details of [licence fees paid], 1893—1894. P2/1/15 not held by Limerick Archives3 volumes15July1823 – October 1906see DM39.116see DM39.13 September 1867-2 May 1889(5 February1908). Includes minutes of joint committee ofCorporation, Harbour Boards and Chamber ofCommerce. (28 October 1907-5 February1908)c.60 pp1712 November 1838-[] April 1894c.50 pp(c) Rough Minute Book (1835-1839)18c. January 1835-3 January 1839Rough Minute Bookof Limerick BridgeCommissioners.Includes list of Rentals of Bridge Commissioners.c.150 pp(d) Agenda Books (1893-1978)Information in these volumes includes the date, those present at the meeting (firstvolume only), items on the agenda and the Chairman’s notes. Not held byLimerick Archives.8 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/10 volumes192011 July 1893 – 6 November 189920 November 1889 – 19 August 190721October 1907 – 22 March 19152212 April 1915 – 14 January 19242328 January 1924 – 23 November 1931247 December 1932 – 3 June 19392517 July 1939 – 19 July 1948269 August 1948 – 7 November 19552721 November 1955 – 9 August 19652830 August 1965 – 10 February 1978(ii) Finance Committee(a) Finance Committee Minute BooksP2/1/29/1-?Finance CommitteeMinute Books.Volumes not heldby Limerick Archives(b) Finance Committee Claims Books (1886-1970)Finance committee claims books, which record details of fortnightly meetingsheld by the finance committee. Chairman and individuals present at each meetingare recorded. Details of financial claims are recorded under headings titled 'name','articles supplied', 'no of cheque', 'petty claims', 'initial', 'journal folio' and'observations'. Articles supplied include items such as 'stationary', 'coals' andbrush'. Also included occasionally are details of resolutions passed at meetingsand orders of the boards of Commissioners. From 1887 to 1894, and from 18969 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/onwards, meetings are numbered from the beginning of the year. Minutesgenerally signed by chairman. P2/1/39 not held by Limerick Archives.10 volumes301 November 1886 – 31 December 1894c.200 pp14 January 1895 – 30 December 1901c.180 pp13 January 1902 – 26 July 1909c.200 pp9 August 1909 – 11 March 1918c.200 pp8 April 1918-14 March 1932Includes notice to secretary of income taxassessment (29 August 1929)c. 250 ppsee DM39.8354 April 1932 – 6 November 1939c. 250 pp20 November 1939 – 9 May 1949c. 250 pp23 May 1949 – 9 July 1956c. 250 pp23 July 1956 – 11 May 1964c. 250 ppsee DM39.831see DM39.832see DM39.833see DM39.834see DM39.836see DM39.937see DM39.938see DM39.9398 June 1964 – 9 November 1970(iii) Pilotage Committee and Licensing of Pilots on the ShannonSee P2/2/78-137(a) Pilot Committee Minute Books (1864-1971)Minutes of the Pilot Committee of the Limerick Harbour commissioners, whichdealt specifically with pilotage matters such as licensing of pilots, pilotage byelaws, and investigating complaints against pilots. Minutes heldsporadically throughout the year. Minutes note the date, the members present,details of license applicants, and details of matters bought before the committeeby letter or in person. Minutes signed by chairman.10 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/3 volumes.4019 January 1864- 9 November 1905Includes printed leaflet titled ‘Port andHarbour of Limerick, Pilotage Rates 1873,1875, 1881’. Also includes notes relating toalteration of pilotage bye laws c.1904419 January 1906 – 9 September 1947Missing21 November 1947 – 11 October 1971Missing42c.220(b) Pilots Examination Papers (1888-1965)Examination papers for pilots licenses with applicant information and responseof applicant to examination questions, which were examined orally. Pilots tookexam after serving an apprenticeship. The name, address, age, height,complexion, division, with whom apprenticeship was served, date of applicationand date of examination is recorded for each applicant. Also noted is whetherapplicant answered each question correctly or incorrectly. Exam paper isannotated with details of examiner, signature of secretary and chairman, andrecommendation to either grant or refuse license application.4 volumes474323 October 1888 –2 December 1893c.150 pp4410 January 1894-9 November 1923c.150 pp4530 October 1923-9 October 1916Includes loose pages with handwrittenquestions and answersc.150 pp462 July 1965c.10 ppJune 1924 – July 1965Examination Resultsbook, which recordsthe same applicantinformation as that contained in P1/1/43-44 as well as recommendations andsignatures of the Harbour Master, Harbour Secretary and Pilot Committee foreach applicant . Not held by Limerick Archives11 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/(c) Pilots Licences Issued (1825-1960)4821 December 1825-[]1960Volume recordingpilot licenses issuedannually byLimerick Harbour Commissioners. Entries recorded under headings such as'number of license', 'name', 'address', 'residence' 'age',' height', 'complexion','date of license', and 'observations'. Observations generally include reference todate when payment received. From 1877, volume arranged by various categoriessuch as 'Western Pilots', 'Limerick Division’,’ River Fergus Division','Tributaries' and by 'Captains and Mates' and 'apprentices'. Includes pagephotocopied from extract minute book (P2/1/15) with list of licenses issued in1823.c.150 ff(iv) Miscellaneous Committees Minute Books (1867-1977)Minute Books of various committees created to discharge special functions ofthe Limerick Harbour Authorities. Some committees were appointed to considera specific report or issue and met only once. Other committees met on goingbasis [Reference is made below to volume in which committee is firstmentioned]. Also included in the volumes are minutes of the Committee of theWhole Board of the Limerick Harbour Commissioners. P2/1/49-53 includesminutes of various committees relating to the Graving Dock; Committee toConsider Receipts and Expenditure of Harbour first sat on 20 September 1867(P2/1/49); Special Committee of Works which first sat on 13 February 1868(P2/1/49); Special Committee appointed on the subject of ‘Sailors Home’,”River Lights” and “Admirally Court” (P2/1/49); Lights Committee (P2/1/49),Quay Labourers Strike Committee which first sat on 3 October 1870 (P2/149);Labour Committee (P2/1/49); Joint Committee of the Harbour Commissionersand Chamber of Commerce to consider the Quay Labourers Strike (P2/1/49);Committee of Whole Board relating to building of Police Barracks which sat on30 May 1872 (P2/1/49); Joint Committee of Town Council and HarbourCommissioners relating to piece of land belonging to HarbourCommissioners(P2/1/49); Sub-Committee of arrangements for reception of theLord Lieutenant (P2/1/49); Joint meeting of the Pilot and Finance Committees(P2/1/49); Pilot Committee (P2/1/49); Committee appointed to reply to Treasuryon the subject of the proposed reduction of the dues on grain which first sat on8 June 1876 (P2/1/49); Committee to enquire into management of refreshmentroom at the Dock which first sat 9 Jan 1879 (P2/1/50); Committee appointed tomake arrangements as to the sailing of the first transatlantic steamer from theShannon which first sat on 2 June 1882 (P2/11/50); Special Committee toenquire into Engineers and Harbour Masters Staff which first sat on 7 April 1884(P2/1/50); Committee to consider propriety of purchasing a Dredging Bargewhich first sat 24 November 1884 (P2/1/50); Special Committee appointed onShannon Navigation Bill which first sat on 1 May 1885, (P2/1/50); Special12 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/Committee on Foynes Harbour (P2/1/50); Harbour Improvements Committee(P2/1/50); Harbour Deputation Committee (P2/1/50); Special Committee onCoal (P2/1/51); Committee on Harbour and Dock Dues on registered tonnage(P2/1/51); Committee to consider the berths on the Harbour (P2/1/51);Committee on Railway Amalgamation (P2/1/51); Labourers Shelter Committee(P2/1/51); Accident and Sick Pay Committee (P2/1/51); Contracts Committee(P2/1/51); Shannon Water Bill Committee (P2/1/52); Tonnage MeasurementCommittee (P2/1/52); Contract Committee (P2/1/52); Fire Insurance Committee(P2/1/52); Salaries Committee (P2/1/52); Law Committee (P2/1/52); WellesleySwivel Bridge Committee (P2/1/52); Pensions Committee (P2/1/52); ElectricalLighting Committee (P2/1/52); Dredging Committee (P2/1/53); Also includedare minutes of the trade merchants association. (P2/1/51);. From 1952 onwardsthe volumes relate only to thee whole house committee of the Limerick HarbourCommissioners. P1/1/53-57 are not held by Limerick Archives.9 volumes498 April 1867 – 24 February 1879c.120 pp50c.150 pp5126 March 1877 – 16 January 1888Includes court notices in case ThomasDixon and Sons -v- Limerick HarbourCommissioners.27 February 1888-6 April 19015222 April 1901 – 19 February 1907c.180531 March 1907 – 13 September 19235426 September 1923 – 8 August 1934559 September 1934 – 30 April 19525627 May 1952 – 19 November 19625713 January 1963 – 23 January 1977581 February 1888594 November 1868-14 November 1914c.100 ppVolume whichconsists of areport of acommittee established to consider a proposed clause in the Harbour Bill relatingto scales of import duties. Report outlines import duties pain on various goodsin Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Ferit.1 itemMinute book13 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/recording minutesof electorsmeetings held every two years to elect harbour commissioners to represent theharbour importers and exporters, and the rate payers. Minutes record the dateof meeting, attendance, nomination of candidates, and results of voting.Includes letters of nomination received for 1904 election. Minutes of meetingsheld between 1902 and 1912 are not recorded.c. 100ppSee P2/2/37-40.(v) Office of Secretary to Harbour Commissioners(a) Letter Books (1896-1950)Damp press letter books consisting of outgoing correspondence from thesecretary of the Harbour Commissioners to various correspondents. Alphabeticalindexes are included at the beginning of each volume. Volumes P2/1/ 65-66 areheld by Limerick Harbour Commissioners. Letter books from 1906 onwardsinclude typescript letters. Secretaries to the Harbour Commissioners were JohnBoyd (1896-1911), acting secretary Henry Forgary (1911), John T. Power (19111935) and Daniel McNiece (1935-1950). P2/1/65-66 are not held by LimerickArchives.20 volumes6022 December 1896 – 26 April 1899c.900 pp6126 April 1899 – 21 October 1901c. 950 pp624 January 1902-22 February 1904c.1000 pp6325 February 1904-26 June 1906c. 1000 pp6426 June 1906-11 June 1908Includes letters received from Ormsby Jones,Board of Trade, relating to dues on vesselsand goods at various small piers on theShannon (19 September 1907-21 October1907)c. 1000 pp6522 December 1906 – 26 April 190914 Copyright Limerick Archive

P2/1/6616 September 1909 – 2 April 19106715 June 1908 – 2 April 1910c. 1000 pp684 April 1910 – 28 April 1911c. 500 pp691 May 1911 – 11 January 1915c. 1000 pp7013 January 1915 – 12 October 1918Includes letters received from the board ofTrade, Lon

(a) Pilot Committee Minute Books (1864-1971) 10 (b) Pilots Examination Papers