George Mercer

George Mercer.

From Memorials of Liverpool....second edition, revised, with additions.

The south side of Rupert Lane has only been built on in the upper part within the last few years. On this side formerly stood the smithy of the village, with the smith's cottage adjoining. The last tenant, Mr. George Mercer, was a man of considerable intelligence. He possessed the peculiar faculty, of which other instances have been adduced, of recognising the build and peculiar features of a ship at almost incredible distances. It was formerly the custom when a ship was descriedin the offing for a flag to be hoisted by the keeper of Bidston Lighthouse, for which purpose poles were provided along the ridge of Bidston Hill, each merchant having his own. It is recorded that George Mercer's powers of vision, though so much further distant, frequently put to shame the vigilance of the lighthouse-keeper. His assistance in this way became so valuable that a small observatory was erected, from which he could sweep the horizon seawward at flood tide, and report the distantly approaching vessels. Mr. Mercer afterwards entered into business in a more extensive way, and realised a handsome competence, on which he retired. He died in November 1819. The site of the smithy is now covered by a row of three good houses, near the lower end of Rupert Lane.

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