City of Hull Tramways / Hull Corporation Tramways
Owner Hull Corporation
Took over 15th October 1896 (Hull Street Tramways [horse])
Operator (lessee) Local cab proprietor (until closure in Autumn 1899)
First electric route 5th July 1899
Operator Hull Corporation
Took over 31st January 1900 (Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramway)
Closed 30th June 1945
Length 20.48 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins
Button description (Pattern 1) Arms (scalloped shield with three crowns of identical size - one above the other - on a striated background)
Materials known Brass; nickel; chrome
Button Line reference [None]
Button description (Pattern 2) Arms (flat-topped shield with three crowns of decreasing size - from top to bottom - on a striated background)
Materials known Brass; chrome
Button Line reference [None]
Comments In the absence of specific 'tramway' or indeed 'transport' pattern buttons, it would appear that Hull Corporation used a general untitled coat of arms pattern button for all its transport and municipal staff, including tramways. Stylistically, Pattern 2 looks to be the more modern of the two, but I have no firm evidence to support this.
The origin of the three crowns is somewhat obscure, variously said to signify the three kings who played a prominent part in development of the town (Edward I, II and Henry VI), or devotion to the holy trinity, or a symbol of foreign trade, or ... take your pick.