The Ship Inn, Martin's Lane

The Ship Inn is in Martins Lane, just off Cathedral Yard. The sign shows a typical 16th Century ship leaning heavily to port. Don't expect a genuine 16th Century interior - it is 'modern antique', although the upper floor shows many levels that indicate its age. Perhaps the sign should read 'Ye Olde Shippe Inn' for greater authenticity.

Did he or didn't he?

The Ship Inn displays the following, supposedly written by Sir Francis Drake in 1587:

"Next to my own shippe I do most love that old Shippe in Exon, a tavern in Fyshe Street, as the people call it, or as the clergy will have it, St. Martin's Lane"...."There yester'en I had some speech with a mariner fresh come hither from Plymouth. The power of Spain is already afloat, so in the morning please God, I am for Plymouth and for another shippe than this".

It's a nice story but very unlikely. The owner of Mol's Coffee House, Thomas Burnett Worth is probably responsible for promoting Sir Francis Drake in Exeter, to increase tourism. Sir Walter Raleigh, the local boy from Budleigh Salterton had closer connections with Exeter and may have supped his ale with, or without, Drake in the Ship, but there is no definitive proof.

The Civil War

However, the Ship can claim to have had connections with the English Civil War. The Royalist Captain Benet billeted his troops in the Ship Inn while the city was under siege from General Fairfax. Benet wrote:

"I have quartered my men at the Ship in St Martin's Lane, an excellent place with good wine, victual and forage."

In 1719 the Ship was threatened by an unruly mob who tried to burn it down because they thought clergy, who were in alliance with the Whig Government were being sheltered there. A group of soldiers had to be used to quell the uprising.

Martins Lane was also known as Luxury Lane, as well as Fyshe Street as already noted by Drake. It is surprising to us, when looking at how narrow it is, that stage coaches would pass along its once cobbled surface towards Cathedral Close.

The 20th Century

Which brings us up to the 20th century. The landlord, in November 1939, Mr R Pring, owned a black spaniel called 'Sam' that became well known to the patrons of the Ship. It would greet customers at the door, fetch glasses and allegedly took glasses of beer to customers seated at the tables.

For his trouble, he was often tipped, which he then took back to his owner. Apparently, the tips went to pay for his dog biscuits. Well they did need some good news during the war!

In 1964 the two lower bars were knocked into one and the pub started serving meals when the upstairs rooms were converted for a restaurant. Again, in 1994 the premises were refurbished which bizarrely led to the Shipski (if that is what it was called). A Russian visitor paid £2,700 for all the fittings and fixtures to fit out and open the first English pub in Kaliningrad. Who needs Drake with a history like that.

Some landlords from the trade directories and census returns:

1816 - Cockerom. J., ship, public house, martin's lane - Pocket Journal
1822/3 - Linscott, S., Ship Inn, Martins Lane - Pigot's
1839 and 1844 - Ann Scott, Ship, Martins Street
1861 - Alfred R Tucker 50, innkeeper, Fanny Tucker 37, wife, Alice 12 - census
1871 - Yelland. G., ship inn martin-st - Pocket Journal
1881 - John Dodd 38, innkeeper, Ellen 39, wife, Emma 9, Frederick 7 - census return
1891 - Ship Inn, Martins Lane, Mathew W Chapple 28, Licensed Victualler, Wife Jennis 29, wife, Mary 4 - census
1897 - Ship Inn, Henry Hexter - Kelly's
1901 - Walter B Callaway 35, publican, Anna 45, wife, Ethel 14, stepdaughter - census
1919 - Ship Inn, Richard Walter Johns - Kelly's
1934 - Ship, Pring. R. G., 3, Martin st - Besley's
1939 - Ship Inn, R. Pring - Express & Echo
1956 - Ship Inn, Reginald. G. Pring, 13 Martin st - Kelly's

Source: Exeter Unveiled by Todd Gray, The Lost City of Exeter by Chips Barber, historical Express and Echo clippings.