chatham dockyard old apprentices

[21] Building works at Chatham did not compare with the substantial expansions underway at Portsmouth and Plymouth at this time; but the southern part of the yard was significantly redeveloped, with construction of two new storehouses on Anchor Wharf and a major reconfiguration of the ropery. [27] It was partly to address this problem that the Admiralty undertook a huge building programme at Chatham, between 1862 and 1865, which quadrupled the size of the yard and provided specialist facilities for steam-powered ships with metal hulls. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust cares for over 70,000 objects in its collection - ranging from archaeology, rigging, hand tools, machinery to fine art and photography. dailyinfo[15]=' 6963 Private Albert CHRISTIE 1st Bn. [14], The decision required the dockyard to move from its original location, which was too constricted, to a new (adjacent) site to the north. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. The weekend event was organised by Tony Gray, who at 66 is still working part-time as a consultant. dailyinfo[24]=' 2503969 Sapper Joseph WATERS Canadian Railway Troops who died 24/04/1921 BUTTE (MOUNT MORIAH) CEMETERY United States of America ' var fontstart = '' Those for the officers were placed in a single row on elevated ground to the east, accessed from the parade ground by way of a double ramp; they provided housing for two field officers, twelve captains and thirty-seven subalterns. The project has enabled a sustainable future for one of the Dockyards most important Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Old Sweats; 9.3k Location: Somerset (Wiltshire/Dorset border) Interests: The West Africa squadron in the 1840s; naval medicine; First World War, especially in poetry . recruits destined for regiments which were abroad, prisoners confined on account of desertion and other military offences, added to which was a proportion of invalids, sent home from foreign stations on account of old age, or bodily infirmity'. [125], With the failure of Upnor Castle, it was seen necessary to increase the defences. By 1619, the new dockyard consisted of a new dry dock and wharf with storehouses, all enclosed within a brick perimeter wall. Nonetheless, the dockyard closed, as planned, on 31 March 1984.[40]. Chatham's establishment as a naval dockyard was precipitated by the use of the Medway as a safe anchorage by the ships of what became (under King Henry VIII) England's permanent Royal Navy. By 1611 Chatham had been chosen as its location (in preference to Deptford, which at the time was the nation's principal naval shipbuilding yard; this led to speculation that Deptford was going to be sold off). It was envisaged that Basin No 1 would serve as a "repair basin", No 2 as the "factory basin" and No 3 as the "fitting-out" basin; a newly launched ship could therefore enter via the west lock, have any defects remedied in the first basin, have her steam engines and heavy machinery installed in the second, and then be finished, and loaded with coal and provisions, in the third before leaving via the east locks. [39] Redundancy notices were served, but then abruptly withdrawn following the 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands; the dockyard was heavily involved in preparing ships for the South Atlantic, and in repairing damaged vessels on their return. [141], The Naval Barracks (later HMS Pembroke) opened in 1902; prior to this, most Naval (as opposed to Dockyard) personnel were accommodated on board their ships or on hulks moored nearby. Unlike the earlier timber docks, which were drained using gravity, this new dock (No 3 Dock) was pumped dry using a Boulton & Watt steam engine. The barracks remained in military use until 2014. Terry left a secondary school in Hoo with qualifications in metal work and technical drawing and, like many boys of his age, enrolled for apprenticeship at the yard, classed as one of the best in the world. The White Yarn House to store the yarn before it was tarred to prevent rot. dailyinfo[7]=' 467436 Corporal Alexander CAMERON Military Medal 29th Bn. The senior officer was now a serving sea officer the superintendent, admiral or captain-superintendent who was often also the port admiral, or flag officer. [17] In 1686 two new dry docks were built, in addition to the old single and double dry docks; all four were rebuilt and expanded at various points in subsequent centuries (the double dock having been converted into a single dock in 1703). The growing importance of the dockyard was illustrated with the addition soon afterwards of a mast pond, and the granting of additional land on which a second (double) dry dock was constructed, along with a sail loft, a ropery and residences for the dockyard officers: all of which were completed by 1624. Welsh Regiment who died 30/04/1916 MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY France ' I just remember some of those old guys that actually lived in the dockyard." All of these Apprentices are bound to Masters whose names and trades are also included. The Dock would be filled with all types of Naval ships, decked out with flags & crew dressed in their dress uniforms. [13], In the early 17th century the government resolved to invest in a new specialised facility for refitting and repairing warships. For the first two years of his apprenticeship, he moved through the different ships, Brian recalled, and in his third year the skipper taught him, he said. [34] Also with the 20th century came the submarine. Has it changed for the better, or were those really the "good old days"? asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of apprentices that entered Chatham Dockyard in each of the years 1974 to 1977; and what is the projected number for 1978 (a) as craft entries and (b) as technician entries. Undoubtedly there are countless memories and stories from the dockyard, particularly 'the bygone era' of the 1950s and 1960s, when times were very different, but many of them don't get recorded or spoken about. They spent much of the time relaying fond memories of working and socialising together. that I have asked my family to see that my ashes are scattered on the Medway besides the Dockyard,using a trip on the Paddlesteamer-"Kingswear Castle" to carry out this task. Powered by Invision Community, Chatham Dockyard ledgers: employees, apprentices, etc, The West Africa squadron in the 1840s; naval medicine; First World War, especially in poetry, art and fiction, GWF is free to use so please support the Forum. I later worked on such ships as HMS Lincoln, Warspite, Spitfire, Torquay, Hebe, Vidal, Hydra and many many more. [110], On 5 September 1971 all Flag Officers of the Royal Navy holding positions of Admiral Superintendents at Royal Dockyards were redesignated as Port Admirals. He was admitted to Chatham Hospital on 30th June 1915 but doesnt specify RNH. All these developments were to come together with the construction of HMS Achilles, in a newly expanded No 2 Dock, between 1860 and 1864: the first true iron-hulled battleship to be launched in a royal dockyard. The Historic Dockyard Chatham: Views of a former apprentice 45 years on ! Some older yard pay books and muster books are archived at The National Archives at Kew. Div Royal Marine Light Infantry who died 05/05/1915 HELLES MEMORIAL Turkey (including Gallipoli) ' It has several themed areas with traditional maritime buildings, a fishing (though in looks only) village with its multi-coloured houses and a modern energy-efficient concept. Nicholas, South Africa, last updated: 26/03/2009 at 15:36created: 26/03/2009. 1st Floor North, Fitted Rigging House In 1832 the Navy Board was abolished and all yards and establishments, except gun wharves, were amalgamated under a single authority. - David, Germany, "From 1980-1984 I sold newspapers on board all the ships that docked in the yard, I was a young lad of 11 when I started, and only stopped after my father was transferred to Plymouth Dockyard in 1985. He said: The training was excellent. Mon Mar 30 20:01:32 2009, BBC Kent website, The Great Hall, Mount Pleasant Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1QQ. [33], Nevertheless, Light cruisers and other smaller vessels continued to be built at Chatham during the first half of the 20th century. I spent a couple of nights in the dormitory blocks, before joining Diamond and had a lot of laughs. The project also includes ADM 354 and ADM 359; these records are at the National Maritime Museum. Buy from bookshop. [130] During this time, Chatham Dept provided basic training for new recruits. [143], Media related to Chatham Dockyard at Wikimedia Commons. In the 1960s Portsmouth Dockyard was the largest employer in the area. Lower Boat House circa 1820 built as a storehouse for squared timber, and later to store ship's boats. I was going to leave that bit about Trafalgar out, but their Town Mayor, whose English was better than my French, picked it up and told them anyway.Wed Apr 8 12:02:25 2009, Ron EdwardsI am 82 years of age and was a Naval Shipwright Apprentice (Dockyard number 21413) in Chatham Dockyard from 1941 until 1945. The Establishment grew, and by 1856 the Artillery had moved out; Brompton Barracks remains in service as headquarters of the Royal Engineers. Read more: All the latest news from Medway. (Hill House would serve as the dockyard's Pay Office for the next 180 years; the Royal Marine Barracks were later built on its site). ), The final boats constructed in Chatham were Oberon-class submarines Ocelot was the last vessel built for the Royal Navy, and the final vessel was Okanagan built for the Royal Canadian Navy and launched on 17 September 1966. Thereafter this was divided into three sections: 80 acres (0.32km2), the 18th century core of the site, was transferred to a charity called the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Joe May, 86 shared his memories of the Dockyard, Keith Dowrick, 82 told reporter Molly Dowrick some of his memories from the Dockyard, Royal Navy joins European allies on crucial Baltic mission, Plymouth's nickname 'Guz' and the reasons behind it, Live: Huge fire breaks out at industrial unit outside Looe, As many as eight fire crews are understood to be on the scene, Woman fumes over Lidl store towering above her garden, The retired nurse said a Wickes DIY store is doing similar, blocking the sun and warmth. Until 1814 timber was cut by pairs of men, one above and one below the log. Their website gives further information about the type of records they hold and how to search them. down the phone. Combined Ship Trade Office 1880: now the "Ship & Trades" public house. I remember being in awe of the sheer size of it and the amount of hustle and bustle that was all about. Apprenticeship Model Contract Form (0.22 MB) Application invited for "Empanelment of Third Party Agencies under the Apprentices Act, 1961" (0.34 MB) Programme for 106th AITT of Apprentices to be held in November, 2017- regarding (0.14 MB) NAPS Amended Guidelines (3.49 MB) The grandfather-of-three said: Apart from working together, we used to go out to nightclubs together where most of us met our partners.. (Gunpowder, on the other hand, was received, stored and issued across the river at Upnor Castle. See our research guides on Royal Navy ratings and Royal Navy warrant officers for more information. [127] Built on sloping ground east of the Dockyard, the rectangular site (enclosed within its own perimeter wall) consisted of a 'Lower Barracks' with accommodation for the soldiers and 'Upper Barracks' (later known as 'The Terrace') which housed the officers; between the two was a large parade ground. There was an annual intake of some 300 boys between 15 and 16 years old in two intakes September and January. [16], Peter Pett, of the family of shipwrights whose history is closely connected to the Chatham dockyard, became commissioner in 1649. Saw HMS Jamaica of Bismarck fame and I believe we saw HMS Manxman too in which a friend's uncle had served during WW2. Australian Field Artillery who died 14/04/1917 GREVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY France ' Junior Apprentices The Dockyard School between the Wars Apprentices in Wartime Introduction of Group Training of Apprentices Whitworth . I am 82 years of age and was a Naval Shipwright Apprentice (Dockyard number 21413) in Chatham Dockyard from 1941 until 1945. As some victualling yards also changed their names, you may need to search foralternative names: Click on the links below to search for a yard namewithin series: Gun wharves, where ships guns were stored, were the responsibility of the Ordnance Board. Glenn, USA, "My Grandfather worked in the dockyard, he was a shipbuilder and worked night and day during the WW2. Mike tells me that last year he won the top award in the Society for All Artists, Artist of the Year competition. There was an Army hospital at Chatham too. Diamond, one of the Navy's Daring Class Destroyers which was in Dry Dock in one of the Basins. He first started his apprenticeship when he was sent to the ropery on his first day by accident. Also in 1686 a 'Great Long Store-house' was built, alongside the ropery on what is now Anchor Wharf;[10] and two new mast ponds were constructed, in what was then the northernmost part of the yard, in 1697 and 1702. ). Thus deliveries of victuals, ordnance and other supplies were made by small boats, sailing regularly between Chatham and The Nore. Along the southern edge of No 1 Basin four new dry docks were built (Nos 58), each 420ft (130m) long. Mr Elgar, 66, who lives in Hoo St Werburgh, was transferred to the naval base at Devenport after the Chatham closure in March 1984. The officers and men employed in the yard had also increased, and by 1798 they numbered 1,664, including 49 officers and clerks and 624 shipwrights. It really did feel like one big family with a happy atmosphere. The fire-fighting displays were actually good education for us, as were all the displays of engineering, diving and damage control.Later I went in a group of school cadets to see the launch of the submarine HMS Onslaught, built at Chatham.Whilst a member of the Kent Police Force, I acted as an interpreter for a party of visiting French police officers and their wives and we were shown through the rope-making loft where HMS Victory's ropes had been made. The first steam-powered ship to be laid down at Chatham was HMS Phoenix, one of four paddle steamers built concurrently across the royal dockyards in the early 1830s, each designed by a different leading shipwright. The Great War Forum Limited These were built to a standard design with bays 45 by 20 feet (13.7 by 6.1m). [137], The Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham were established in 1779, on a site nestled between the Gun Wharf to the west, the Dockyard to the north, and Infantry Barracks to the east. Do you visit the Dockyard now? Its one areaof my Grandfathers medical evacuation from Gallipoli via Malta that I cannot find anywhere.