Public house, that was on the corner of Bond Road and London Road. No longer exists.

From a local Mitcham newspaper, 29th March 1934

THE OLD SHIP

FORMER MITCHAM INN ON FIRE.

A MYSTERIOUS OUTBREAK.

The Old Ship Inn, a recently de-licensed and now vacant public house at the corner of London-road and Bond-road, Mitcham, was found to be on fire at one o’clock on Friday afternoon.

Passers-by saw smoke pouring out of ventilators and flames leaping up in the public bar so Mitcham Fire Brigade was called from the Figgs Marsh alarm post.

When they arrived in a minute or so, with Chief Officer A. G. Wells in charge, they found the woodwork of the public bar well alight, also a heap of rubbish on the floor. The rear door of the empty house was open. The fire was soon put out with the first aid appliance. In another minute or so the house would have been enveloped in flames.

Fireman L. Walls had a finger badly cut by broken glass.

The damage, which was not extensive, included the fittings of the public bar. The origin of the fire can only be guessed, but there was evidence in the room that someone had recently slept in it. A few days before a jumble sale was held in the Old Ship, which now belongs to the Urban Council. At the last meeting of the Council the Surveyor was instructed to remove the bay windows of the inn and to let the premises on the best terms obtainable. The premises were acquired in connection with the street improvement scheme at that spot.

Landlords from street directories and reported license transfers

1892 : Adolphus DENDY

1893 : (see transfers below)
John WALLIS
Thomas OWENS
Frederick R. KNIGHT

1898 : William HAZELDINE

1901 : Richard ROWLAND
1903 : Richard ROWLAND
1907 : Richard ROWLAND

1911 : Edgar Ayling McNAUGHTON
1915 : Mrs Minnie McNAUGHTON
1918 : Mrs Minnie McNAUGHTON

1920 : Miriam McNAUGHTON (electoral register)

1921 to 1927 : Arthur CARNE

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Edgar and Minnie McNAUGHTON were listed as beer retailers at 6 Smith’s Terrace. In the 1911 census, they were both 27 years of age. Edgar died in October that year, as described in the probate record:

Edgar Ayling McNAUGHTON of The Ship Inn, Mitcham, Surrey, died 9 October 1911. Administration London 30 October to Minnie McNaughton, widow. Effects £250 14s. 9d.

Arthur and Alice Emily CARNE are listed in the 1921 and 1926 electoral registers at The Ship. Arthur Carne died in March 1927, as described in the probate record:

Arthur CARNE of The Ship Inn, Mitcham, Surrey, died 16 March 1927. Probate London 10 May to Ernest Arthur Carne licensed victualler and Bertie Dendy coach builder. Effects £244 2s. 4d.

Source: Ancestry.com, England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations).

Licence Transfers reported in newspapers

license transfers. The following licenses were transferred:—The Rose and Crown, Carshalton, from Mary Mawer, deceased, to Charles Mawer, the administrator; the Swan, Mitcham, from Henry Arthur Vickery, deceased, to Alice Vickery ; the Bull, Mitcham, from William Spong to Talbot Masters ; the Ravensbury, Mitcham, from William Wood to George Williams ; the Ship beerhouse, Mitcham, from John Wallis to Thomas Owens; the Goat, Mitcham, from Talbot Masters to Young Waterman,

Source: Sussex Agricultural Express – Tuesday 24 January 1893 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

there had not been a single summons against any licensed victualler during the year, nor had the police a single complaint to make against them.

—There were no applications for new licenses, but the following transfers were effected :–The King’s Arms, Carshalton, from Mr. G. J. B. Jackson to Mr. Henry Salmon, late of the Melbourne, Wellington; The Britannia, the Causeway, from Henry Bird and Walter Garside, to John Smith, late of the White Hart, Hook, Surbiton; The Ship, Figg’s-marsh, Mitcham, from Thomas Owen to Frederick R. Knight ; The Rose and Crown, Wellington, to Charles Moore, as administrator of Mary Moore, his mother, deceased.

Sussex Agricultural Express – Tuesday 07 March 1893 from the British Newspaper Archives (subscription required).

THE “SHIP,” MITCHAM.
LICENSE RENEWED.

Mr. Arthur Page, on behalf Messrs. Page and Overton, applied for the renewal of the license of the “Ship,” Mitcham, the tenant of which house Mr. Richard Rowland. Mr. Stayner stated that in Mitcham there were twenfy fully-licensed houses, twelve beer houses, and eleven off licenses. The population of Mitcham was 22,550, excluding the inmates of the Holborn Union Work house and Schools. The license of the house had changed hands four times within the past ten rears. The present tenant had been there since 1901. There were no convictions recorded. Inspector Jays said that within a radius of a furlong of the house there were 76 occupied houses and ten empty ones, and the population, calculating five persons to each house was 380. Within a quarter of a mile radius there were 257 occupied and 12 unoccupied houses, making the total population 1,285. Within the same area there were seven licensed houses.

Mr. Odling-Smee, J.P., deposed to visiting houses in the neighbourhood. The “Swan” was in good condition, as also was the “Gardeners Arms,” The “Ship” was a smaller house than the others, and the ceilings were not so high. The approach to the club room was not a good one. Dr. Fegen said that on Wednesday he visited the “Swan,” “Gardeners’ Arms,” and the “Ship,” and found the accommodation at all three houses was good, with the exception of a room which was pointed out to him by the landlady of the “Ship” as the club-room. The objectionable feature about the room was the fact that the staircase leading to was narrow and badly lighted, and the access it was through the private part the house. By the Bench—When visited the house, it was in the daytime. He could not tell what the staircase would be like at night-time. The Bench came to the same conclusion as in the last case, and renewed the license.

Source: Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette – Saturday 09 February 1907 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette – Saturday 08 June 1878
Page 8

John Clements Belcher, labourer, of Figs Marsh, Mitcham, was charged at the Croydon Police-court on Thursday with violently assaulting a man named Hold in Church Road, Mitcham, on the previous day. – Mr Hold, whose right eye was in a terribly contused condition, stated that he was a wheelwright, residing at Hope Cottage, Mitcham. He was near the “Ship” in London Road looking out for a “break-down” when several men came out of the “Ship”, the prisoner being amongst them. The prisoner knocked his hat off, and kicked it about, and witness (who was about 70 years of age) followed him to try and kick him. The prisoner then hit him violently in the eye comma knocking him down. the prisoner said that hold fell against the wall, knocking his eye. – William Staples corroborated the prosecutor’s evidence and said that the wall was quite seven feet from where he fell. – George Shepherd (for the prisoner) saw Hold fall, but did not see the prisoner strike him. – Mr Edridge said he should remand Belcher until this day (Saturday), in order to see how far Hold’s eye would recover.

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From Licensed Victuallers Records
In 1892 shown as licensed before 1869 and for on and off sales. The owner was F. Page, Shirley, brewer. Name of licensee was Adolphus DENDY, residing on the premises.

In 1903 shown as licensed before 1869 and for on and off sales. Name and address of owners: Page & Overtons Brewery Company Limited Croydon, to which the pub was tied for draught beer. Name of licensee was Richard ROWLAND who resided on the premises.

Accomodation provided for the public

Refreshments other than Intoxicants	Sleeping	Stabling	Sanitary
None	Nil	None	Urinal and w.c.

Remarks: Ordinary class trade.

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Adverts

WANTED a good strong GIRL to help in house, and bar when required; comfortable home and good wages.
Apply “Ship”, London-road, Mitcham.

Mitcham and Tooting Mercury, 28th May, 1915

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Earliest mention found so far in the British Newspaper Archives is from 1845: