LANCASTER 19B - River Lune and Snatchems

A view across the River Lune to the Golden Ball, 'Snatchems', Lancaster.
The Golden Ball is known as ‘Snatchems’ because of the naval press gangs that forcibly snatched men to work on ships at the height of the cotton trade. The pub is also believed to have been used by smugglers who landed goods there without paying the appropriate customs duties. As recently as the 20th century, a small rowing boat (summoned by a bell) carried passengers over the Lune to the Golden Ball. The pub is frequently cut off by high tides.