Richardson & Smith

Biography

A special one-vendor sale from a local Whitby shipbuilding family, with items spanning
Georgian to William IV periods, containing Porcelain, & Glass, Sporting, Hunting & Whaling Memorabilia & Paintings.

Carr Mount, Sleights

THE SMALES FAMILY

A BRIEF HISTORY

The Smales family name is synonymous with shipbuilding in Whitby. The name Smales' is thought to originate from the time of the Vikings, coming from small and', a part of Sweden .

Generations of the family owned and built ships Brigs, Brigantines, Schooners and Barques from the yards at Salt Pan Wells and Whitehall .

In the early 19th century, Gideon Smales 1st was the driving force he died at the relatively young age of 41 in 1817, shortly after the construction of his last ship, the Brig Mirables'.

He was succeeded by Gideon II, 22 at the time who vowed that ships of his construction would be completely sound, honestly built and honestly maintained. It was he who became known as Owd Gideon'. At his height he owned some 21 ships and was widely respected. Indeed he was to act as a latter day expert witness' for Lloyds on various occasions.

Under his son, Gideon III business continued to thrive and it was he who built the last sailing ship in Whitby, the Monkshaven' in 1871.

The firm eventually closed down in 1946.

The last two generations of the family, since 1913, lived at Carr Mount, Sleights.

Harold (1872-1966) was the last timber merchant and became a collector of glass, books, paintings and marine items.