In 1868 there were 3 hotels at Waterloo Street, The Bengal at no 11, The Adelphi at no 12 and The Calcutta at no 14.  The Adelphi was taken over by Broad and Mackinnel in 1877 both sailors. The building was a fine house with the first floor well set back from the street with lofty rooms.  Ship captains made Adelphi their headquarters and hangout spot. The accepted custom was for captain and mate to be drunk at sea and the second mate to be drunk at port.

Broad and Mackinnel died within three years of each other leaving the hotel derelict.  William Cook the Asst Manager at Great Eastern  took over Broad and Mackinnels re opened it as Adelphi and it prospered.

In 1880s there were ships tied up in port and Captains with little to do spent most of their time “mashing” at the hotel. Cook offered additional attractions in the shape of bar,  excellent food, 2 billiard tables, and a good skittle alley which gave the sailors a chance to exercise. The Adelphi became the captains headquarters.

John Barleycorn writes that Calcutta served very fine cuisine and the Calcutta beef brisket was one of the finest in the world.

In 1885 Cook married a girl with a penchant for writing verse and a keen sense of humour and the marriage turned out well.  In 1891 Billy Cook died leaving his wife well off and she being inclined to a better society than that found in Adelphi she began looking elsewhere for company. She was drawn to Teddy Madden an accomplished,  genial, intellectual, armyman . He was also  attracted to Mrs Cook who was well read and of above average intelligence and in 1894 Madden married Mrs Cook  and became a  sleeping partner in Adelphi to support his better half.

Ted Madden was based in Agra and Mrs Cook preferred the  amenities of life in Agra to that of Waterloo Street. It resulted in a neglected business and shortage of money. Subsequently William smith and Mrs Shard took over the management  of Adelphi. They were honest and dependable but lacking in energy so bills accumulated and trade fell.  Kellner and co seized the hotel and in 1898 they sold it lock tock and barrel but the barrels were empty.

Trivia

Adelphi was renowned for its hotel barmaids who cam from England middle class homes seeking greener pastures. Folklore has it that these lissome girls were propositioned 7 in one night

Calcutta with its bars and barmaids men of fortune and no fortune, Australian horse importers, bookmakers actors ship captains travelers, idlers twisters and other cheerful rascals was a very popular destination for English persons and Europeans

The fortune teller who could accurately told about the past but not the future