NHER 63429 (Building record) - The Ship

This building probably dates to the mid to late 18th century, with the extension to the rear added during the 19th century [1]. As detailed by (S1) there are licence records for a public house at this location going back to at least 1790. It appears that for part of the 19th century it was known as the Royal Sovereign.

According to (S2) the large model of a ship that hangs on the west-facing external wall of the hotel is the work of the well-known Norwich artist John Moray-Smith. It is noted by (S1) that the model is named 'Black Diamond' and was apparently purchased in c. 1950. The reported belief that it was already "…at least 50 years old" at this time would appear to be incorrect.
The Ship also once contained several three-dimensional bas relief plaster panels that had also been made by Moray-Smith around the middle of the 20th century. This were amongst a series of works commissioned by Morgans Brewery and depicted various nautical scenes ('Pool of London', 'Cromer Rescue', 'Armada' and 'Ships at Rochester'). One of these panels ('Pool of London') is known to be in private hands but the present whereabouts of the others are unfortunately unknown.
See (S2) for further information on these and other works by Moray-Smith.
P. Watkins (HES), 13 June 2019.