The Famouse Ship Inn - formerly known as the Sebastopol

The Sebastopol \| The Ship Inn - 65 Sandgate High Street c.1798-present
The Ship Inn - the back bar of the Ship Inn was formerly known as The Sebastapol	The location of this beerhouse is a vexing question, but after studying all the known references we (the authors of More Tales From the Taproom) are of the opinion that it was located in what is now the back bar of the present day Ship Inn. The house first hit the headlines in 1853 when Stephen Holdstock and his wife Charlotte were charged with keeping a disorderly house, to which they pleaded not guilty. The place was a resort for soldiers and others where women of disreputable character resided. 1837 - and Queen Victoria had succeeded to the thrown in that year and one can imagine that Sandgate and the little beerhouse would have celebrated the event. It must be pointed out that at this time there was already a house at Sandgate known as the Ship, which later became known as the Royal Norfolk, and it is not known for certain when this house took on the name Ship. In 1854 the house did not escape the effects of the cholera epidemic when Mrs Hogben (the landlords wife) was among the victims.
In September 1890 an application was formally made on behalf of the landlord of the Ship Inn, for permission to make an alteration (to the licence) whereby the bar would be placed in the front of the house instead of at the side. The building underwent extensive alteration at this time resulting in its present attractive appearance. In view of the proximity of Shorncliffe Camp it is likely that the Ship played host to troops involved in the Boer War, and later the First World War, when the Camp was once again a centre of activity. On 29th February 1929 the Ship finally acquired a full licence i.e. it could sell beer, wine and spirits. The Ship Inn has come a long way from little beerhouse tucked away round the corner that survived the 1869 closures to the comfortable public house it is today. Now a freehouse, the pub proclaims itself as 'The World Famous Ship Inn', Sandgate, and under Stewart Whiffens guidance serves many fine real ales. You can enjoy an excellent seafood platter and other fine food during your visit. The front bar is known as the Captains Cabin and is furnished with tables and chairs made our of beer barrels, along with maritime memorabilia such as a large map of the Dover Strait. This is where the visitors tend to congregate while the locals use the rear bar boasting fine sea views. You may also be lucky to hear on your visit about the tale of the ghostly apparition, the fish lady, whose appearance is accompanied by the smell of fish. Excerpts taken from ' More Tales From The Tap Room' - by Martin Easdown and Eamonn Rooney
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