a seaport and market-town of England, county of Durham, a few miles N. of the mouth of the River Tees, and 17 miles S.E. of Durham. It stands on a small peninsula, jutting out into the sea, and formed partly by a pool called the Slake, which is dry at low water. The Normans called the place Hart-le-pol (the pool or slake of Hart), whence the modern name. A monastery, which is mentioned by Bede, was founded here at a very early period. Hartlepool is mentioned as a harbour of some consequence as early as 1171. In the thirteenth century it belonged to the Bruces of Annandale, in Scotland, the progenitors of the royal family of that name. It was created into a borough by John, A.D. 1200. When Bruce declared his pretensions to the Scottish crown his English possessions were forfeited, and Hartlepool was granted to the Clifords, in whose possession it long remained. It suffered severely from the Scots in 1312, and again in 1315, a year after the battle of Bannockburn. It was seized by the insurgents in the northern rebellion under the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, in the time of Elizabeth. During the civil war it was taken by the Scottish army in 1644, and retained by them till 1647. Hartlepool was, during the thirteenth century, fortified by walls, which inclosed it on every side except on the east, where it was sufficiently protected by high cliffs. Considerable portions of these walls still remain. The old haven is now disused. The present harbour—formed by a pier run out on the south side of the town—is easily accessible in rough weather to laden vessels under 100 tons. Extensive docks have recently been constructed here. One, opened in 1847, contains 8 acres; and another, opened in 1852, contains 14 acres. The harbour has also been enlarged from 13 to 44 acres; and plans have been made for two more large docks, should the trade require it. A graving dock has also been formed at the west end of the new dock, capable of containing a vessel of the largest class. Hartlepool thus enjoys great facilities for trade, which its extensive railway connection opens up to it. Its coal trade is very great; fishing is extensively carried on; and it is much frequented in summer for sea-bathing.

The vessels registered as belonging to the port on 31st Dec. 1854 were:—Under 50 tons—sailing, 2, tonnage 30; steam 4, tonnage 88; above 50 tons—sailing 164, tonnage 35,210; steam 3, tonnage 1080. The vessels that entered and cleared at the port in 1854 were:—Coasting trade, inwards, sailing vessels 368, tonnage 29,264; steam 2, tonnage 42; outwards, sailing vessels 6356, tonnage 827,926; steam 51, tonnage 20,604. Colonial trade, inwards, sailing vessels, British 25, tonnage 4281; foreign 8, tonnage 1054; outwards, British 91, tonnage 17,088; foreign 24, tonnage 10,570. Foreign trade, inwards, sailing vessels, British 399, tonnage 72,056; foreign 696, tonnage 79,135; steam vessels, British 55, tonnage 17,119; foreign 1, tonnage 235; outwards, sailing vessels, British 540, tonnage 100,633; foreign 1543, tonnage 166,808; steam vessels, British 53, tonnage 16,521; foreign 1, tonnage 235. Pop. (1851) 9503.