The Plymouth Hoe
June 23, 2026 in Articles
Sometimes, unusual tools appear in advertisements. The tool I have found was called the ‘Plymouth Hoe’ and dates from 1909. But, to confuse research, Plymouth Hoe also happens to be a well-tended public park area on the seafront in Plymouth.
The invention by Mr Joseph Carroll incorporated a hoe, a Dutch hoe and a soil rake into one implement. Costing 4s 6d, it could be ordered carriage paid from Mr Carroll, 200 Manchester Road, Ince, Wigan – a terraced house nearly 300 miles away from Plymouth, and so the hoes’ name remains a mystery.
It is an interesting tool; it features a pivot that allows the hoe to be adjusted and to also use the rake. There appears to be a locking mechanism. The tool looks to be well constructed and presumably done by a manufacturer local to Wigan, but who knows?
Really, it is a curious little tool from a bygone era, and a reminder that there’s always something new to discover. I think that’s a pleasant thought.
