Imports into Liverpool 1860-1865
In April and May 2019 there was some discussion in our group about the role of Indian cotton during the Cotton Famine.
There are lots of references to it being inferior quality, and unsuited to the machinery installed in Lancashire.
But it begs the question, just how much was being imported?
The answer lies in the Port Books of Liverpool, which have been digitised (hurray) but which sit behind a paywall (boo). More frustration, at the time of writing documents are not situated as described in the catalogue, and the catalogue fails to inform us that Port Books from quite a lot of the period never survived.
microform.digital/boa/collections/50/liverpool-shipping-records-imports-and-exports-1820-1900-part-4
There are lots of references to it being inferior quality, and unsuited to the machinery installed in Lancashire.
But it begs the question, just how much was being imported?
The answer lies in the Port Books of Liverpool, which have been digitised (hurray) but which sit behind a paywall (boo). More frustration, at the time of writing documents are not situated as described in the catalogue, and the catalogue fails to inform us that Port Books from quite a lot of the period never survived.
microform.digital/boa/collections/50/liverpool-shipping-records-imports-and-exports-1820-1900-part-4
I have complained and these matters are being addressed.
But meanwhile, I have made a start on 1860, taking 2 sample weeks. They are the first weeks in January and June.
I've reproduced the first pages here, which is where the ships and their cargoes are listed.
But meanwhile, I have made a start on 1860, taking 2 sample weeks. They are the first weeks in January and June.
I've reproduced the first pages here, which is where the ships and their cargoes are listed.
With a bit of searching and number crunching, this is the pattern of cotton imports to Liverpool that emerges for the first week in June, comprising more than 50,000 bales from America, 4500 bales from India, and 900 bales from Egypt.
I used google sheets to store my data and produce the chart. Feel free to have a go yourself!