This blog has been adapted from "NEILLS of BANGOR", a book commissioned by my father and written by local historian Ian Wilson telling the history of an Irish shipowning family through two centuries. The book was originally published in 1982 and all proceeds from sales at that time were donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Please click the "Donate" button on the right to make your own contribution direct to this invaluable charity - saving the lives of those at sea.
The blog entries are ordered according to the dates of key events in the story.
To follow the events in chronological order start with the oldest first.
Starting with http://neillorguk.weebly.com/a-history-neills-of-bangor/archives/06-1800
And click the "read more" links to expand each entry.
Original Foreword and Acknowledgements
This book, undertaken at the request of Brian Neill, was published in 1982 in a limited edition as a record of the Neill family and business.
The blog entries are ordered according to the dates of key events in the story.
To follow the events in chronological order start with the oldest first.
Starting with http://neillorguk.weebly.com/a-history-neills-of-bangor/archives/06-1800
And click the "read more" links to expand each entry.
Original Foreword and Acknowledgements
This book, undertaken at the request of Brian Neill, was published in 1982 in a limited edition as a record of the Neill family and business.
To Brian Neill in particular my thanks must go for his hospitality and constant interest in my researches, and for facilitating a visit to London to work at the Guildhall Library and the Public Record Office, Kew. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Neill, too, have made me welcome and supplied facts, memories and suggestions, while Arthur Neill, Beresford Neill, Roy Neill, Maxine Neill and James Neill have also made valuable contributions to a project which has yielded a great deal of interest to all involved.
Mrs. Eileen Collier, of Bangor, gave enthusiastic help to my inquiries, especially regarding personalities in the story. Michael McCaughan, of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and Jack McCoy, Local Historian at Library Headquarters, Ballynahinch, provided much factual material, while I also wish to record my grateful appreciation to the following: Captain]. B. Gordon, Bangor; Roy Fenton, London; John Cook, Saxmundham; David Geary of Harland and Wolff Ltd., Belfast; David Donnan, Portavogie; Robert Blane, Kilmarnock; and Phil Skeet, Redhead, New South Wales.
In the compilation of the ships' histories, the help and co-operation of the Registrar of Shipping, Belfast, and the voluntary custodians of the Central Record, World Ship Society, were vital. To my father go special thanks not simply for correcting the original typescript, but for passing on his enthusiasm for local history - an enthusiasm which, I hope, this book not only reflects but may stimulate in others.
IAN WILSON
Coleraine. February 1982.
Copyright (C) Ian Wilson 1982
Originally printed by Impact Printing, Coleraine & Ballycastle
Adapted for digital publication by DJD Neill, with the kind permission of the Author.
Mrs. Eileen Collier, of Bangor, gave enthusiastic help to my inquiries, especially regarding personalities in the story. Michael McCaughan, of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and Jack McCoy, Local Historian at Library Headquarters, Ballynahinch, provided much factual material, while I also wish to record my grateful appreciation to the following: Captain]. B. Gordon, Bangor; Roy Fenton, London; John Cook, Saxmundham; David Geary of Harland and Wolff Ltd., Belfast; David Donnan, Portavogie; Robert Blane, Kilmarnock; and Phil Skeet, Redhead, New South Wales.
In the compilation of the ships' histories, the help and co-operation of the Registrar of Shipping, Belfast, and the voluntary custodians of the Central Record, World Ship Society, were vital. To my father go special thanks not simply for correcting the original typescript, but for passing on his enthusiasm for local history - an enthusiasm which, I hope, this book not only reflects but may stimulate in others.
IAN WILSON
Coleraine. February 1982.
Copyright (C) Ian Wilson 1982
Originally printed by Impact Printing, Coleraine & Ballycastle
Adapted for digital publication by DJD Neill, with the kind permission of the Author.