The Ship Tavern
27 Lime Street
London
EC3M 7HR

According to the plaque on the exterior wall of this City of London pub: “Originally called The Ship & Shovel, the eighteenth century Inn developed an intimate connection with tea, coal and the established church. The church connection was with St. Paul’s Cathedral; the building of which was paid for in coal, or rather by a tax on that commodity. All the coal entering that part of London was weighed and taxed by shovel load; and one of the places it was weighed and taxed was outside The Ship Inn Lime Street. Coal heavers weighed it out using large style shovels; being dusty and thirsty work they often refreshed themselves at The Ship, leaving their shovels propped against the outside wall, hence The Ship & Shovel”