Admiral MacBride

Patrick Shea was licensee here in 1798, at that time Admiral John MacBride was still alive but no longer living in Plymouth where he had been based for many years.

Although he grew up in Ireland, John MacBride was born in Scotland. He joined the Royal Navy in 1754 after some years as a Merchant Seaman. His Plymouth residence was Leigham House on the site of the modern estate.

MacBride sat as an MP for Plymouth, from 1784-1790, and it was he who was largely responsible for the passing of the Parliamentary Bill which approved the construction of the pier that runs east from the front of the pub and which together with the old east pier made Sutton Harbour into a much safer haven than it had previously been.

It is thought that the pub itself was built at the same time and stands on reclaimed land. The original "Mayflower Steps" were probably located somewhere towards the back of the pub.