Where does the phrase ‘ship shape and Bristol fashion’ come from ?
The Floating Harbour which sits alongside Cumberland Road was constructed in 1803 to provide a stable harbour for Bristol’s bustling shipping industry. The River Avon has a very high tidal range of 15 metres (49ft) second in the world to the Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada. Prior to 1803 sailors had to ensure that everything was neat, tidy and securely fastened or they would suffer the consequences as the retreating tide beached their boats. From this the phase ‘Ship shape and Bristol fashion’ was born.