PLIMSOLL (Samuel, 1824-1898, Politician and Social Reformer)

Autograph Letter Signed to William Middlebrook thanking him for his "kind letter received this morning relative Spen valley division. I am not in a position however to acquiesce in the very flattering proposal contained therein ...", 1 side 8vo., 28 Park Lane, 17th August

In 1872 after much effort in the face of a parliament with many powerful ship-owners he managed to get the government to pass a bill which in the following year was amended into the Merchant Shipping Act. This gave stringent powers of inspection to the Board of Trade, and the mark that indicates the safe limit to which a ship may be loaded became generally known as Plimsoll's mark or line.
Spen Valley was a parliamentary constituency in the valley of the River Spen in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
In the 1920s, Plimsoll shoes were named for their similarity in appearance to the Plimsoll line on boats.

Item Date:  1885

Stock No:  39749      £475

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