Shipwrights

”In January, 1847, the shipwrights and carpenters employed in the shipbuilding yards left their work, complaining of the high price of foodstuffs. They took possession of several loads of potatoes which were being shipped for export. The Jersey and Guernsey News complains that on this occasion “the police looked on, and allowed this to be done. Not one of the rioters was seized or punished. “

The above quote comes from a post from ‘Tony’s Musings’ Blog about ‘Jersey Workers uprising in May’ during the year of 1847. This information has come from accounts of Norman Le Brocq’s that Tony has transcribed.

I have a few shipwrights in my family during the 19th century. This is a time when Jersey became one of the largest wooden shipbuilding areas in the British Isles building over 900 vessels around the island. You can see in the list below that my ancestors were working as ‘Shipwrights’ or ‘Ships Carpenters’ from 1851 to 1891. So now I am trying to find out more about what the actual job entailed. I am also keen to find out where exactly all  the shipbuilding yards were or still are in Jersey that my ancestors may have worked in.

Isaac William Davey (b. 1821) – Shipwright in 1851, 1861, and 1871

His sons:

Isaac William Davey (b.1851) – Shipwright in 1871, 1881 and 1891

William Davey (b.1854) – Shipwright in 1871

*****

Philip Le Breton (b.1838) – Ships carpenter in 1861. Philip is the brother-in-law of Isaac W. Davey (born 1851).

SHIPYARDS

In the archive collection of the Jersey Heritage Trust  there is a research folder which includes information on shipbuilding sites at Beaumont, Bel Royal, Bouley Bay, First Tower, Gorey, St Helier Harbour, Havre des Pas, Patriotic Place, La Rocque, St Aubin, St Catherine

Which may include the following:

Allix’s shipyard – Havre des Pas

F. and J. Le Feuvre – Shipbuilders

Le Huquet’s yard – St Catherine

South Pier Ship Yard – St. Helier

USEFUL LINKS:

www.jersey.com – Click here to find out more about Jersey’s Maritime Heritage including the Cod Fishing Trade and  life at sea for the Jersey Seaman.

Maritime Museum – Click here to find out the opening hours, admission costs and directions if you are planning a visit to the Maritime Museum. This is a great place to take children as many of the exhibitions are interactive and very ‘hands on’!

Interesting Book:

‘The Female Shipwright‘ was  originally published in 1773. It is an autobiography recounting one woman’s life on the high seas — while disguised as a man. Lacy ran away from home at 15 and found employment as “William Chandler,” first as a servant aboard the Sandwich, a 90-gun ship, and eventually as a shipwright with the Royal Navy.