‘The Steamboat’ at Trent Lock used to be called the Fisherman’s Rest. But it was originally ‘The Erewash Navigation’, having been built in 1791 by the Erewash Canal Company. For many years, being the other side of the canal, it was in Long Eaton parish; it’s now in Sawley.
In 1851 the landlord was James Allen – who later moved to the New Inn.
By 1861 it was Henry Rice, who’d just moved with his family across the Trent from Barton. He had four sons:
- John – ran the ferry, then took over the Navigation after Henry died in 1883
- George – went back to Barton to farm
- Harry – worked as a farm labourer around Trent Lock
- Thomas – ran the ferry, then took over the Navigation after John retired
After Henry died John Rice ran the Navigation (and a farm) for just over 10 years before handing over to Thomas Maltby in about 1894. John then retired to Wilsthorpe Lane, whilst Thomas’s wife Jane Rice set up a café at Trent Lock.
Thomas Maltby was about to hand over the licence in 1900 when he drowned late one night whilst operating the ferry after hours.
He was succeeded by Thomas Rice. When Thomas died in 1921 his wife took over, with their sons running the ferries. Jane Rice (aged 82) was still the landlady in 1939. When she retired to the nearby ‘Summer House’ her son William Henry Rice took over the licence.
The next owner and ferry operator was Wilf Horrobin. He changed the name to The Fisherman’s Rest in 1954.
The Horrobins were replaced by George William (Bill) and Joyce Jarvis 1955-58.
From 1958 to around 1970 the licence holder was Eric George. In 1971 Vera Woodward of the Riverside Café was refused a license and G G Gaskin took over instead. In 1973 he handed over to Christopher Edwin Cullen.
It was renamed The Steamboat in the early/mid 1970s and a red painted funnel appeared over the porch. Later – after the roof windows were added – the funnel was painted blue and a large painting of a steam-powered WW1 K class submarine adorned the front wall. Then the funnel became blue. The painting was later moved to the side wall and the funnel was painted white.
The interior décor in the 1970s was very nautical.
In more recent years the pub has been painted white, yellow and now light grey.
