Rare Birds Shot in Skegness
Source: Skegness Herald 7th March 1884
This story will shock conservationists today, but it is a brilliant insight into Victorian attitudes towards nature.
Cormorant Shot on Skegness Pier
On Saturday last a fine cormorant was shot on the pier head by a young man named Grimstead, who saw it hovering around the pier and saw it alight on a flag-staff, which is erected at the top of the saloon, 60 feet above the water.
The bird measures from tip of the beak to the tail thirty-two inches, and across the wings forty-six inches; its breast is of a bluish black, with black feet, and a patch of white feathers on the thighs.
The back is of a brownish bronze, and it has a long tail of 14 black feathers seven inches long, forming an oval shape.
The head is a bluish green, mingled with white, and there is a splendid tuft of black feathers at the back of its head one-and-a-half inches long.
This is undoubtedly one of the British species and known as the common cormorant which is mostly of a black colour, but for a short time during the breeding season exhibits a sprinkling of longish white, almost bristly feathers on the head and back of the neck.
It is very seldom seen on this part of our coast, and so far as is known the last that was seen in this neighbourhood was shot on Boston church steeple a few years ago.
Mr Grimstead has been very fortunate in shooting several very rare birds, including the stormy petrels, and the crested grebes, which he has stuffed, and they are now on view at his residence on Roman Bank.
It is possible that the stuffed birds, shot by Mr Grimstead, exist today.
Do YOU know anything about them?
Jul 1st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Sirs,
Bit late replying but only just saw this, 01/07/2008.
I think the Mr Grimstead in question could well have been my great grandfather, George Henry Grimstead, who the family believe was the first Superintendent of Skegness Pier. The article about him is unknown to me. He lived in Skegness for several years from the early 1880s after moving from farming at East Keal, Spilsby (he’s there in the 1882 Whites Guide). He was married to Ginnie Hall, whom he’d known since he was a child and whose father also farmed at Keal. He was brought up by mother’s adoptive grandparents, the Gaunt’s, whilst his parents ran the postal service in Holbeach. (His mother was a Gresham from Fishtoft.) Most of his 10 children were born in Skegness. He left there in the early 1890s, moving to set up a successful market gardening business on some of Lord Yarborough’s land, in Grimsby. He died mid 1930’s owning a farm and much property. I did an article about him for the GY Telegraph in 2006 but I have little about his time in Skegness. I do know he lived at two addresses in Skegness. I think he must appear in the accounts for the pier, which are held in Companies House records. I have a photo of his family around 1905.
Hope this is of interest.
Regards,
David Grimstead, Melksham, Wilts SN12 7QP
01225 707630
Jul 1st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Thanks for that, David - It seems it might be him. I’ve checked on 1891 census and he’s born in Wisbeach 1855, wife Jane of Toynton and five children all born in Skegness. The family is living on Alexandra Road Skegness. In 1901 the family is in Clee Grimsby.
Let me know if you need the censuses. With a quick look, I can’t find them in 1881.
Kind Regards
Angela Gooch
Jul 7th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Angela,
Glad you got the site sorted. If my last post was lost, please, anything you might have relating to George Henry Grimstead would be gratefully received.
I know nothing of his taxidermy; no-one ever mentioned it. I’m told he owned some good quality guns but used them mainly for pest control.
Regards,
David G.