Image of Upham's Yard & Dewdney's Yard c. 1895

                                                                                             Ships Built by Year

                                      https://drive.google.com/open?id=10l3-RNbQiUvNSG-2tyWoOFiMmrIZQVOb                                                                               

The link above will take you to a Brixham Trawler Database which is sorted by the year the ship was built. The first ship is listed as the Britannia built in 1770. There are several issues with the list as it goes back to the latter part of the 18th Century (1700's)  and early information regarding the actual Shipyard in Brixham where the ship was built may be missing. In many instances you will see the Shipyard substituted by the letters of where it was built e.g. BM - Brixham, DH - Dartmouth. 

Included in each Shipbuilder's section of the document below is a link to all the ships that have been identified as registered to the yard of that Shipbuilder.

The first ships built in Brixham, with the yard name attached,  were in 1806 - HMS Sealark & HMS Widgeon built for the Royal Navy by William Wheaton. In 1808, the ship Pallas was built by Daniel Dewdney Matthews. 

Foreword

There are many good reference books that have been written on all aspects of the History of Brixham ( and I have many of them) but little detail is found on the location of the  Shipbuilding Yards that built the Sailing Trawlers, without whom the fishing industry in Brixham would not have become one of the largest in the country throughout the nineteenth century. I have made reference to John E Horsley’s book – A Short History of Brixham for general history and dates. Sailing Trawlers by Edgar J March is the definitive reference book for those wanting a breakdown of costs, trawler types and plans but makes little reference to the yards that built them with exception of  Upham’s, Matthews at Fishcombe Cove, Jackman’s at the Breakwater and Gibbs of Galmpton.

How many “true” Brixham people would be able to tell you where the shipyards at Brownsands Beach, White Cove, Crocker’s Cove, Ranscombe Beach and Dewdney’s Cove were located? Or that King’s Quay was established on Queen’s Quay at Deer Rock?

Much credit must be given to the social media Facebook sites of Brixham Heritage Museum, Brixham In Pictures, Brixham Old Pictures and Brixham My Brixham for their strenuous efforts to bring Brixham History to local people and others of Brixham origin worldwide – without them this information would be lost to future generations.The location, names and dates of occupation relating to the shipbuilding sites was compiled by Mike Miller, whose book of “Brixham Trawlers built 1784-1927” is the key reference book for trawler identification.

Thanks to Marcus Richardson, 4 x g.grandson of John Richardson (b.1779) who provided information regarding the history of the Richardson family Shipbuilding in Brixham from his personal archive. 

All the information in this document includes photos that are in the public domain (many of which can be found on the sites above) and other detailed information that has been researched online. Where possible I have added, to the photos, articles from the British Newspaper Archive which might not otherwise be readily available to most people. 

Brixham Heritage Museum. I came across a doucument written by Martin Smith whose links to the Museum's wealth of historical information aided him in writing a document "Boat building in Brixham". The information  provided in his document takes a different approach but adds complimentary information to the Brixham Shipbuilding industry and to the history available for future generations.  I have added a copy to this document.

                                              drive.google.com/file/d/1oCAQ_E0AQliYfB2hr7KfZnyu3D1wAhyP/view?usp=sharing  

Update October 2020.

My son James has, this season, been part of the volunteer crew on BM45, Pilgrim and recent passengers were 90 year old Robert Finch, and his wife. Robert, claimed his family built boats at Ladybird Beach/ Cove, Shoalstone in the 1870's. I have now added a section, alongside William Cottle, about Samuel Finch & Son and the boats that they built.

Update December 2020

Contacted by Patricia Petts who was pleased to see that her g.grandfather, Solomon Matthews was included in the document. Her family name is Kendrick and her grandfather, Leonard Lake Kendrick (1890-1953) married Elsie Gertrude Matthews (1891-1974) - Solomon's daughter. With some information from her family tree, I have now updated the Solomon Matthews section to provide further information and photos.

Update April 2023

Having sent a copy of the "Brixham Shipbuilding" document to Thomas Hellstrom, the owner of BM313 Deodar, I was suprised that he came back to me and we had several conversations regarding Robert Jackman, who built the boat in 1911 at his Breakwater Beach Yard. In April 2023, Thomas contacted me to say he was in Brixham , on a brief visit and asked if we could meet up at short notice. I was privileged to spend some time with him on Breakwater Beach discussing all aspects of the Jackman history and Brixham Sailing Trawlers. He informed me that after 50 years of being the sole owner of Deodar, he felt the time was right to sell the vessel.

Cliff Gempton:– cliffgempton@gmail.com      Web Site:- www.gemptonfamily.com                                                                            

The Shipbuilding Industry of South West England. 1790-1913

Excerpt taken from the above book ref David J Starkey :- “The shipbuilding industry comprised a large number of small scale units dispersed throughout the costal area of the West Country. In 1804 for instance, an Admiralty survey identified 95 shipyards in 42 different ports and havens, the most notable concentrations occuring in the Torridge with 11 yards, at Brixham and Padstow 7 firms each and on the banks of the River Dart a further 7 concerns .………….the average West Country firm employed just 5 shipwrights and an equal number of apprentices…………….. with Stephen Richardson of Brixham relying entirely on the latter. Thus between 1824 and 1854 at least 43 different shipbuilders operated in Plymouth, some constructing only a single vessel, while 24 firms built vessels in Brixham during the same period.” 

Shipbuilding in Brixham

To put the period into perspective, the end of the 1700’s were dominated by the French Revolutionary Wars led by Napoleon Bonaparte and it was  under his leadership on the 18th May 1803  that the Napoleonic Wars commenced. There is evidence of ships being built in Brixham much earlier for the fruit trade with the demands for fast vessels which could carry fruit home from the Mediterranean, the Azores and even the West Indies. By 1800 the local shipyards were working flat out building ships of less than 100 tons - topsail schooners. There were around 100 locally built and locally owned ships largely locally crewed that may have called back to Brixham once a year, or less,  most of the time they took fruit to Liverpool or London with an urgent need to get it unloaded before it went bad.

More accurate shipbuilding records didn’t appear until the early 1800’s with names of boats, when built and who the owners were. In many instances the name of the Shipyard was not included only the place where they were built i.e. BM – Brixham, DH – Dartmouth etc.. Frustratingly, this was to continue throughout the 1800’s and there were many hundreds of local boats built where the Shipyard was either not identified or documented. 

Records show that the Wheaton family were building ships in Brixham with the name of William Vittery Wheaton (1769-1821) being listed as building ships for the Royal Navy. Wheaton’s Yard was situated at Crocker’s Cove which was to become , in later years, the same area where the Upham & Dewdney family built their ships. In 1806, William Wheaton is recorded as building two schooners for the Royal Navy and their brief history and eventual fate is listed below.

HMS Sealark was a Royal Navy Cuckoo – class schooner of four 12-pounder carronades and a crew of 20. She was built by William Wheaton at Brixham and launched in 1806. Like many of her class and the related Ballahoo -class schooners, she succumbed to the perils of the sea relatively early in her career. 

She was commissioned in October 1806 under Lieutenant Thomas Banks for the North Sea. Sealark was at the surrender of the Danish Fleet after the Battle of Copenhagen  on 7 September. The prize money amounted to £3 8s for an ordinary seaman, or slightly over two months wages. In 1809 she came under the command of Lieutenant James Procter. 

On 18 June 1809 she was sailing in company with Blake in the North Sea. A heavy sea swamped her and she sank immediately. Only one member of her crew survived. On 29 June 1809 The Times printed the following: "The Sealark schooner has been upset on the coast of Holland and all hands on board, excepting one man, unfortunately perished.” 

HMS Widgeon was a Royal Navy  Cuckoo-class schooner built by William Wheaton at Brixham and launched in 1806. Like many of her class and the related Balahoo-class schooners, she succumbed to the perils of the sea relatively early in her career.

She was commissioned in 1807 under Lieutenant William Morgan for the North Sea. In 1808 she came under the command of Lieutenant George Elliot. 

Widgeon was on the Scottish coast helping to assemble a convoy for America when she received orders to proceed to Banff to notify the ships waiting there that the convoy was about to depart. She arrived there on 18 April 1808 and the next day sent a boat into the port. Widgeon then remained four to five miles offshore while waiting for her boat to return. 

During a heavy snowstorm on 20 April, at 2:30am she ran into a reef two miles to the northwest of Banff. Her crew threw shot overboard and fired guns of distress. However, there was a heavy swell and she filled with water within 10 minutes. Although she soon was bilged, her crew took to the boats and were saved. 

The subsequent court martial on her loss sentenced Widgeon's pilot, Alexander Layell, to six months incarceration in the Marshalsea Prison and to be fined all pay due to him. Elliot had ordered Layell to remain at least four miles from shore throughout the night. Instead, Layell had gone below, leaving a bosun's mate in charge, who had let Widgeon drift towards the shore. 

From the “Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser Tuesday 9th June 1807”

The following reference was  taken from -  A Short History of Brixham  by John E Horsley :-

“The biggest changes in the harbour occurred after control was taken by the twelve Quay lords in 1759 having purchased the land from Pomeroy Gilbert. A new pier, the Eastern Quay, was built just beyond the older pier. By 1840 the old pier had become an obstruction and was removed. In 1799 the Harbour and Markets Improvement Act (Brixham) saw the New Pier being built. On the other side of the harbour the area was occupied by a timber yard and shipyard (Southern Quay) at the end of which was built a Naval Reservoir, offices and Naval Stores which was renamed King’s Quay from what was known previously as Queen’s Quay or Deer Rock.

“By 1801 Brixham was the sixth largest town in Devon. Around 1840 it was described as probably the richest town on the shores of the English Channel. Investment in the schooner trades alone was said to be in excess of £1/4 million which in 1840 meant a great deal. There were also about 120 fishing craft, some nearly as big as the smaller schooners, three rope walks, five shipyards and a collection of associated industries, coopers, basket makers, tin and coppersmiths, and blacksmiths specialising in shipwork etc.”

“ Shipbuilding probably started within the harbour area, on what is now Southern Quay, but it soon spread out. At one stage in the nineteenth century there were seven separate shipyards, extending from Churston Quay and Fishcombe Cove round to the area now occupied by the remains of the Ice Factory and Upham’s (Dewdney’s Cove, in fact) to Breakwater Beach and Shoalstone Point. The yard at Shoalstone, (before the swimming pool was created), was reputed to have the longest slipways in the West of England. The vessels were built on the top of a low cliff and the launchings were always a spectacular sight”

The first image of shipbuilding in Brixham is possibly from an engraving by W. Cooke in 1825 which was taken from an original drawing by J.M.W Turner named “Torbay from Brixham”

Image of Brixham Tythe Map and Apportionments dated 1838

The above tithe map shows the shipbuilding area on the foreshore and list the following :-

1. Plot 1523. Owner/Occupier (Crocker’s Cove) - Frederick Baddeley. (Shipwrights Yard)

2. Plots 1527 & 1528. Owner/Occupier (Ranscombe Beach / Dewdney’s Cove) - Daniel Dewdney (Shipbuilding Yard)

The image below shows Crocker's Cove around from Brixham Quay where Wheaton, Baddeley's, Upham's and Dewdney's Shipyards would be established. The map was created by draughtsman Stanley Williams c.1802. Shoalstone Point is also shown where William Cottle would later build trawlers on the waters edge.

The relationships, by marriage, can be traced historically between several key Brixham maritime families – Wheaton, Vittery, Baddeley, Richardson, Matthews etc., – some of which were shipbuilders. In 1821 in the Last Will and Testament of William Vittery Wheaton (England & Wales, Perogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858), he bequeathed to “John Colwill Baddeley and his brother Frederick Baddeley his Shipyard and Rope Walk”. As seen with the above Tythe Map, the Shipyard was at Crocker’s Cove with the Rope Walk extending past the area where the Brixham Orphan Boy’s Home was to be built (1863) as far as the site of the War Memorial (to be established in April1922).

Image from “Tools of the Maritime Trades” by John E. Horsley

Early drawing and map showing Shipbuilding Yards and associated industries.

Image taken from the 1838 Tythe Map of Brixham showing established buildings at Fishcombe Cove 

Image from Mike Miller’s “ Brixham Trawlers built 1784 – 1927”.

Types of Trawler.

Taken from Edgar J March’s book - Sailing Trawlers :- “There were three classes of trawler, the ketches of over 40 tons, built for working in the Bristol Channel and still called by the older men “the big sloops”.  The cutters were known as “Mumble Bee’s”, a name derived from Mumbles at the head of the Bristol Channel, where very handy little smacks were used in the oyster dredging. Some were purchased by Brixham men as they were most suitable for inshore trawling, but many were later converted to ketch ( 2 masts) rig. The smaller ketches under 40tons were known locally as “Mules”.

                            Above:-  Image of Shoalstone Point       Below:- Image of Ladybird Cove towards Breakwater Beach

2. Breakwater Beach  (also known as Brownsands Beach or White Cove)

                                                                                  a. 1854-1879 John Barter, John Barter & Son, Edwin Barter

John Barter (1816-1882). In the 1841 Census, he was shown as living in Quay Street and listed as a Shipwright. In the 1851 Census he was still living in Quay Street but was listed as an Innkeeper of the Crown & Anchor! In the 1861 Census he was shown living in King Street and was listed as a Shipbuilder. John Barter rented the premises at Breakwater Beach (White Cove) from the Harbour Commissioners. The first boat listed in Miller’s database was the trawler Ruby built in 1854. By 1871 he was shown living at 25 King Street and was listed as a Ships Carpenter and his son Edwin Barter was shown living in Ranscombe Road and was listed as a Shipwright. Ships were now listed in Edwin’s name, on the trawler database, up until 1880 when the business was liquidated. DH192 Latona was the last trawler to be built at Barter’s Yard in 1880. 

                               A wonderfully descriptive account regarding the launch of a Schooner built by John Barter at White Cove 

Western Daily Mercury. Monday 20 April 1863. Launch of a fine Schooner at Brixham

Saturday was quite a warm summer day, writes our correspondent, and the evening was calm and peaceful and our beautiful bay spread like a sheet of molten glass beneath the rays of the setting sun. In the outer harbour lay a fleet of trawlers, quietly reposing at their moorings, and scarcely a sound was to be heard as we made our way with some friends towards White Cove, where a fine schooner was about to be launched. As we neared the spot we found ourselves in the midst of a stream of men, women and children, anxiously hastening to witness the anticipated sight, and we could hear from their conversation that they were speculating on what sort of launch it was likely to be, and how the vessel would look when on the water.

On arrival at the Building Yard we found the schooner on the ways, fully rigged and decked with colours, and shortly after the men commenced setting her up under the direction of Mr Barter, the builder. The blocks were then removed, and the various shores taken away and the gallant ship now rested in her cradle on the ways………when the word “ready” was heard the dog-shores at two blows of the maul were knocked down…….the ship then reluctantly began to move faster and faster down the ways till, with a crash and a plunge, she dashed into the element on which her future was to be passed, and glided like a thing of life into the bay. The “Princess Alexandra” sat very gracefully on the water and some old salts that were present and saw her, pronounced that she would be a very fine sea boat, as well as fast sailor. She was built for Messrs J & R Bovey, W Sprague, W.Dart, M.Tapper, J. Mitchelmore and A. Saunders, ship owners of this town, whose enterprise it is to be hoped, will be crowned with success.

b. Robert Jackman & Sons 1880 -1912. (1912 – 1936 on Ranscombe Beach) 

 For many Brixham people, the name Jackman is synonymous with Breakwater Beach although they didn’t establish their Ship Yard until 1880 (see newspaper article below). Like Barter before him the yard was rented from the Harbour Commissioners. Robert Jackman (1840 -1922) was born in the Upton (Farm) area of Brixham. In the 1841 Census his father Thomas Jackman was listed as an Agricultural Labourer.  In the 1861,1871 and 1881 Census (aged 40) he had his occupation listed as a Shipwright.  By the 1891 Census he was shown living  at 9 Ranscombe Road with his family and was listed as a Shipbuilder. 

Taken from :-Western Times Friday 08 May 1885

Images of Jackman’s Breakwater Yard.

Over the next 30years  Robert Jackman along with brothers John and James and Robert’s sons Sidney, Robert, Walter and Tom,  established themselves as one of the most industrious Brixham Shipbuilders.

Image of Robert and Sarah (Berry) Jackman

Back Row: Thomas, Walter, Robert, Robert, Sidney. Front Row: Alice, Sarah, Annie

BM321 Terminist was the last trawler to be built by Robert Jackman & Sons on Breakwater Beach in 1912 before he was to move to Dewdney’s Yard next to J.W & A Upham’s Yard in King Street to carry on building trawlers into the late 1920’s

In 1911, he built the ketch BM313 Deodar for James Hellings of Milford. In 1919 it was sold  to J.Bernard of Lowestoft and re-registered as LT543. Deodar is still sailing in Sweden 109 years later and is owned by Thomas  Hellstrom.

Photo below: The  men who worked in Jackman’s Yard the shipbuilders , c1911. From left to right, back row: Harry Bond, Bill Moore, George Bond, Bill Salisbury, Robert Jackman, Harry Preston, Ralph Clark, Cyril Carey. Middle Row : Harry Sheriff, Frank Lane, Mr Coyde, Billy Jackman, Tom Jackman, Jack Butler, Frank Hockley, Charlie Butler. Front Row: Tom Stockman, Em Jackman, ?, Mr Allery, Jack Butler.

Photo above shows workers from Breakwater Yard in 1911. Photo below shows workers from Jackman’s Yard on the old Dewdney site around 1923. 

Image above shows launch of BM56 Pursue in 1914 from Jackman's King Street Yard, The trawler was sunk in The English Channel, by a German submarine in April 1917.

In 1926 BM63 Encourage was the last trawler to be built at Jackman’s Yard. Work was to continue repairing other vessels, including steam, until the mid 1930’s when the business ended and was left to go derelict. Robert Jackman died suddenly at home, after feeling unwell, in 1922 and was buried in St Mary’s Church graveyard in Brixham alongside his wife Sarah Harris (nee: Berry) Jackman who died in 1914

Image below of men still working at Jackman & Sons King Street Yard in 1936

Article from Western Morning News – Tuesday 2nd June 1936

The above newspaper article shows that in 1936 the premises known as Jackman’s Yard in King Street were sold to  J.W. & A Upham. Clearly, the Jackman family owned the property that was previously owned by the Dewdney family throughout the nineteenth century. Upham’s Yard was then extended to include a patented dry dock (see the Upham section below) which was to be used in the building / fitting out of the Mayflower 2 in 1956.

                                      Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to  Jackman's Shipyards

              https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uQh4EIc3RK-BA0auuLsNrHp9nPr0e1Bg2S7fSTSCOFM/edit#gid=1745840293 

                                               THE LATE MR ROBERT JACKMAN OF BRIXHAM.

Taken from the Western Guardian:-……” The passing of Mr Robert Jackman has removed a great personality associated with the Brixham fishery which is the life and soul of the town’s resources. The name of Jackman is a household word at Brixham for not only during the past 40 years has the fishing fleet been augmented from the shipbuilding yard at the Brixham Breakwater and in later years from the King Street yard, but there was an active interest through smack ownership. It was about 40 years ago that Mr Robert Jackman shouldered the responsibilities of shipbuilder at Breakwater Beach on the site of the yard which had been previously managed by Mr Edwin Barter. The early smacks launched there included those well known types of vessels designed for the long fish boulter fishing off the Norwegian coasts. When beam trawling became the fashion of the East Coast centres then the bulk of the building that really depended on the local fishery. The business gradually developed into that now so well known locally as Messrs Jackman and Sons. Throughout his career, Mr Jackman showed a powerfully keen interest in the development of Brixham as a smack building centre. He was a firm advocate of improved methods for the specialist repairing of damaged craft by the provision of a patent slip. For many years he was a member of the Brixham Urban District Council, as a representative for the Furzeham Ward and harbour matters and improvements were ever foremost in his policy. Mr Jackman showed exceptional physical activity practically right up to the time of his death which came most unexpectedly to most of his friends. He was out on Saturday, January 21st and complaining of feeling unwell, took every precaution to ward off an attack of influenza. His condition gradually became worse and he passed peacefully awayduring the late hours of Thursday night. The funeral on Monday was very largely attended by all sections of the Brixham community. He had merited the highest goodwill of all who had associations with him. The smacks in the harbour, the flagpole at the Pier Head had flags half masted as the last token of sincere respect. The mortal remains were interred in a coffin of elm from which the coffin of his late wife was made, and which had been specifically preserved in the moulding loft at his special request….. “

3. Crocker’s Cove / Ranscombe Beach.

                                                                                                       a. Frederick Baddeley 1824 – 1864 (?). 

William Vittery Wheaton’s (a Brixham Shipbuilder) sister Elizabeth Wheaton married John Colwell Baddeley 26 January 1786 in Brixham.  In William’s Will dated 1821, he bequeathed to his nephew’s John Colwell Baddeley (1786-1846) & Frederick William Baddeley (1790-1852) his Shipbuilding Yard and adjoining Rope Works. Confirmation of the site of the yard can be seen in the 1938 Tythe Map (see Page 3). The first boat built by “ Frederick Baddeley” in Miller’s list was the Zephyr built in 1824 and was registered to John and Frederick Baddeley. The last boat listed was the Ark built in 1845. 

Taken from the Exeter &Plymouth Gazette Saturday 6th June 1834

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION AT THE London Inn on Saturday 20th Sept 1834 under an Order of Sale made by the Commissioner, acting under a Commission of Bankruptcy awarded and issued against John Colwell Baddeley of Brixham aforesaid ship owner and rope maker, dealer and chapman, a bankrupt…………..

In the 1841 Census, Frederick was shown living with his family in King Street and his occupation was listed as a Shipbuilder. In Pigot’s Directory of 1830 and 1844, Baddeley was listed as a Shipbuilder. By 1851 he was shown as living in Ranscombe and was listed as a retired Shipbuilder. In 1840 he built and was the registered owner of Martha (possibly named after his daughter Martha born in 1838) and owned it up until his death in Brixham in April 1852 at the age of 62 years.

                                          Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to  Baddeley's Shipyard

             https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vzIC0ZWEyBzCe4PalATlNh3NqOHAiJsIi1HvoF6VAEU/edit#gid=1995235023 

b. John Upham, Upham & Sons, J.W & A. Upham 1818 – 1976.

Upham’s Yard  was the most well known of all Brixham  Shipyards, situated in Berry Head Road, it was easily identified by all inhabitants and visitors to the town up until its eventual closure in 1976. 

Upham’s Yard c.1895

Image of BM45 Pilgrim launched from Upham’s Yard 4th June 1895. Still sailing after 125 years and forms part of Brixham’s Heritage Fleet.

Taken from the book “Sailing Trawlers” by Edgar J. March :- “The firm of J.W & A Upham was founded in 1838, by John William Upham, grandfather of one of the present directors Mr Percy Andrew Upham. He told me they use to build three smacks at a time, each in various stages of construction, one just started, one half built and the third nearly finished, six to eight shipwrights and about 25 apprentices being employed”.

John Upham was born in Brixham in 1807. His father, John Upham ( a mariner), was to die in 1808 (born 1777). Records suggest that Upham’s was building ships in 1817 but that is unlikely as John would only have been 10 years old !  “Edgar J March states that:-  J.W. & A Upham was founded in 1838”  but again this is unlikely because his son John William was born in 1832 (6 years old in 1838) and son Andrew  was not born until  19 years later in 1851. It is likely that John Upham started his business in 1838 and the first ship shown as built in Upham’s yard was the “Charlie” built in 1838. The 1838 Tythe Map ( see page 3) shows that the shipyard at Crocker’s Cove was owned and occupied by Frederick Baddeley who was still building ships up until 1845. He died in 1852. Did John Upham work for/with or alongside Baddeley? Did the Upham family buy the shipyard after his death? In 1862 ships built at the yard started to show the name of John Upham and Sons. In 1869, the first ship with the yard  listed as J.W. & A Upham was built. Sadly, there is no consistency with this as all three names were still used in different years before and after those dates.

John Upham married Mary Bird in Brixham in 1829. In the 1841 Census (suprisingly) John, his wife and family were shown living in New Paris Road, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, and was listed as a Shipwright. The 1851 Census shows John living with his family, age 44, at Ranscombe Road, Brixham and was listed as a Shipbuilder. John William was living at home, aged 19, and was listed as a Shipwirght’s apprentice. In the 1861 Census, John had moved to King Street aged 54 and was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 14 men & 6 boys. In the 1871 Census, John was shown living at Ranscombe House and was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 27 men and 3 boys. Andrew was now 19 and was listed as a Shipbuilders apprentice. John Upham died in Brixham in 1877.

John William Upham married Catherine Tyrer in Brixham in February 1857. In the 1861 Census, they were living in Ranscombe Road.  John, aged 29, was listed as a Shipbuilder. In the 1871 Census, John was shown still living in Ranscombe and was listed as a Ship Owner. In 1881 he had moved to 41 King Street, aged 49, and was shown as a Shipbuilder, Owner and Smith, employing 24 men and 12 boys. John William Jnr, aged 19, was listed as a Shipbuilder. John William Upham died in 1890 having suffered from heart problems for some time.

Totnes Weekly Times Saturday 15th November 1890

FUNERAL OF MR UPHAM OF BRIXHAM

Mr John.W. Upham, Shipbuilder, died at his residence, Bolton Street, Brixham on Thursday evening, the 6th inst., aged 58. The deceased gentleman was for many years president of the Brixham Fishing Smack Insurance Society, also chairman of the Local Board and was for some time a Harbour Commissioner. The two former offices he was compelled to resign, on account of ill health, his complaint being heart disease. The funeral , which was the largest to take place here some years, took place on Monday morning leaving the house at 11.15., and consisted of an open hearse containing the coffin, upon which were a large number of wreaths and crosses, and four mourning coaches containing the male relatives of the deceased. His two sons Mr J. Upham jnr., Master Warren Upham and Albert and Andrew Upham (brothers), Mr D Stevens of Newcastle (brother-inlaw), Messrs J.Scoble, P.Williams, W.Tully, H.Hellier (sons-inlaw), and Mr G. De la Mer, Dr’s G.C Searle and G.Elliott, also occupied a carriage. Mr W.Decent and A.Kendrick, the President and Secretary of the Brixham Fishing Smack Insurance Society and all the Directors. The Rev. R. Oliver, Messrs J and D Dewdney, Mr R.Jackman, A.Gibbs of Galmpton, and W. Phillips of Dartmouth, shipbuilders. Most of the members of the Market and Harbour Commissioners and members and officers of the Local Board, and all the leading tradesmen and inhabitants of the town were present. The hearse was preceded by the employees of the deceased numbering 54, from whom the bearers were chosen. The whole of the processionists walked two deep. The Rev Stewart Sim, vicar of All Saint’s read the funeral service in the church and at the graveside. Mr W Tully was the undertaker. The hearse and carriages were supplied by Mr. G. Blackler. The coffin was of polished oak, with brass mountings. The breastplate bore the following incscription:- John W. Upham died Nov 6th 1890 aged 58 years and 8 months. 

Image of the launch of BM338 We’ll Try in 1913 for W.R.Brokenshire.

Andrew Upham maried Anne Green in Brixham in 1874. At the age of 29 by the 1881 Census they were living at 9 Ranscombe and he was listed as a Shipbuilder. By the 1891 Census Andrew and family had moved to 43 King Street. In 1901 they had moved to Broxholme in Berry Head Road and Andrew was still listed as a Shipbuilder along with Percy, aged 24.  Percy married Susan Tyrer in March 1902. Their son Stuart Upham was born in 1908 and eventually would take over the running of the yard, overseeing the building of Mayflower 11  in 1956. 

Image of workers at Upham’s Yard

     Image of BM76 Vigilance - last Sailing Trawler built at Uphams Yard in 1926. Still sailing after 94 years and forms part of the Heritage Fleet.

                                                                 Article from Western Morning News – Tuesday 2nd June 1936

Upham’s Yard expanded into the premises next door which was originally owned by the Dewdney family who sold it to Robert Jackman & Sons in 1912. 

Advertisement for Upham’s Yard in the 1950’s

Taken from the Western Morning News Tuesday Monday 1st March 1937

The latest development in the shipping facilities in Brixham Harbour is the declared intention of Messrs J.W & A Upham to provide a dry dock for the accommodation up to a length from 130ft to 150ft. Not long ago, Messrs Upham purchased the shipbuilding yard lately owned by Messrs R Jackman & Sons which contains what has been deemed for generalists a suitable site for the provision of a patent slip-way…………………

Photo below shows the dry dock being dug with Harry Dinsdale ( in the trenchcoat), Clerk of the Works, supervising.

Image of the Mayflower11, in 1955, in the dry dock of Upham’s Yard with Stuart Upham on the left

Taken from the Shields Daily News 12th August 1933

The numerous shipyards around the coast which formerly did well in the construction of sailing fishing smacks, but most of which have been recently hard hit, seems likely to regain some of their prosperity by building yachts. A cruising yacht on fishing smack lines, built by a specialising firm, is generally a good investment. In the past , of course, there have been many conversions, but it has been very difficult to get rid of the smell of fish, and the construction of a new boat on sound lines is the better plan. 

Upham’s of Brixham, in the old days one of the biggest builders of fishing smacks, whose boats went to Ramsgate, Lowestoft, and all the other fishing centres, has just built a 50ft yacht, Our Boy, on the lines of one of the Brixham “mules”, so that the seaworthiness and speed under canvas are assured, while an 18 h.p auxillary high speed diesel engine gives the necessary assurance of time keeping; and there is also excellent accommodation below deck.

Taken from the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette – Friday 5th July 1935

AUXILIARY YACHT BUILT IN FISHING TOWN

The Quays at Brixham were crowded on Monday when the auxiliary yacht Cachalot was launched from the ship building yard of J. W & A Upham. The launch was the most important event of this character in the district for some time. Prior to the ceremony the Brixham Girl Guides formed a guard of honour for Lady Clinton, who named the vessel and were entertained to tea, while the staff and workers were the guests at dinner of the owner of the yacht, Col. Claude Beddington, of Grosvenor Street London. Prior to the launching ceremony, Lady Clinton was presented with a bouquet of red carnations by Miss Joyce Upham daughter of the designer and builder, Mr A. Upham.

Col Beddington, who has had the Cachalot built after the famous racing trawler Revive, extended a welcome to Lady Clinton and paid tribute to the ability of the Brixham shipbuilders. “ I hope to make many happy voyages in the Cachalot with her gallant crew, all of whom are Brixham fishermen” he added. Little time was lost in clearing away the dog shores holding the vessel, and as she slid down the slipway Lady Clinton dashed the bottle of cider on the bow with the words “God bless the Cachalot”. The vessel was taken in tow and later moored alongside the harbour quay, where she was inspected by the public………………

The launch of the above yacht Cachalot has special significance for our family as my grandfather, Jim Gempton, was to sail on several of the voyages with Claude Beddington in the late 1930’s as bosun and later skipper of the yacht. Their exploits on two journeys were captured in a book by Peter Davies -  “We Sailed from Brixham” 

              Image of the yacht Cachalot built in 1936 at Upham’s Yard Brixham.

Taken from The Western Morning News – Saturday 20th June 1936

TO NAME BRIXHAM STEAMER

At Upham’s Yard Brixham this evening, Miss Molly Tebutt, who is taking the part of Queen Elizabeth in Paignton’s 1936 carnival, will name a new pleasure steamer, which has accommodation for 150 passengers. The boat which is owned by Capt. J Webb will run daily trips from Princes Pier, Torquay, to places of interest in the neighbourhood. 

The images below are displayed courtesy of Wendy Piper (nee Upham) who is the daughter of the late Stuart Upham,from the original Yard Book which is still in the possesion of the Upham family.  The first entry is dated 1856 and the book documents all of the ships built in the Yard. There was an earlier book which is referred to in the top right of the image below. The first ship was registered to Upham's Yard in 1838.

In 1965, Jack Holman was Managing Director of Upham’s Yard and with his wife Suzette, bought the yard before selling the land for eventual development, bringing to an end the era of the Brixham Shipyards and Shipbuilding. In 1976 the Holman family founded Darthaven Marina on the River Dart at Kingswear and took many of the long term loyal workers at Upham’s with them.

Image of Moorings Reach – the development that replaced Upham’s Yard.

                                     Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to  Upham's Shipyard

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KVvCYLlFxC6mf_cFvYkC62AslC50RYLKK9nUuEO_L20/edit#gid=1693996638 

The 1938 Tythe Map of Brixham (see Page 3) shows the area of Ranscombe Beach / Dewdney’s Cove was owned and occupied by Daniel Dewdney. It is strange fact that neither of the years of Pigot’s Directory in 1830 & 1844 lists “Upham” as a shipbuilder despite one of the adverts suggesting that it was established in 1807. It may be that the shipyard was established then but Upham wasn’t building there.

4. Ranscombe Beach / Dewdney’s Cove

                                                 a.) King Street Upper Yard:  John Dewdney 1815-1850. John & Samuel Dewdney 1850-1873

                                                                     Samuel Dewdney & Sons 1873-1893.S.J & D.Dewdney 1893-1906   

                                                 b.) King Street Lower Yard : Samuel Matthews 1804-1818. Henry Dewdney Matthews 1818-1826

                                                                                  John & Daniel Dewdney Matthews 1826-1864

Early images in the 1890’s showing  the position of the shipyards around from King’s Quay. 

Dewdney’s, King Street, Upper Yard was separated from Upham’s on the east side by a wall and King Street, Lower Yard extended to the west as far as Deer Point (King’s Quay). In the early 1900’s, the Ice Factory was built in place of the lower yard. Rock Villa, with the distinct curved wall was the  Dewdney residence up until 1906.

Note:- Daniel Dewdney (b.1773) married Grace Matthews in March 1805. There is some confusion with regards to the use of the Dewdney Matthews surname. Records show that Daniel Dewdney and Daniel Dewdney Matthews was the same person as they shared the same birth, place of birth and death date. Census records available from 1841 only show the Dewdney surname and that is the surname/family name that I will refer to in this document. I can find no evidence of Henry Dewdney Matthews (below) being born to Daniel Dewdney and Grace Matthews.

Samuel Matthews 1804-1818.  Henry (Dewdney??) Matthews 1818 – 1826.

Samuel was born in Brixham in 1737 and married Grace Gibbs in Churston Ferrers in  March 1775. In 1783 he was listed in UK, Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices Indentures as being a Shipwright. His son Samuel Jnr was born in 1784 and was also to become a shipwright.

Henry Matthews, born in Brixham in 1781, was the brother of Samuel Matthews (the elder) and sister Grace Matthews. In the 1802 UK Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices Indentures, he was listed as a Shipwright and Shipbuilder. Henry married Sally Anne Swaffin in Stoke Damerel in 1804. John Matthews (1782-1868) was another family member who, in the 1841 Census (aged 60) was shown as living in Pomeroys Court and was listed as a Shipbuilder. John’s son John Jnr, was shown, at the age of 15, as an apprentice Sailmaker. It is possible that he was apprenticed to Daniel Dewdney Jnr who lived next door. Listed below are the ships built within the years shown above.

John and Daniel Dewdney Matthews. 1826-1864

Daniel (b.1806) and John (b.1815) were the sons of Daniel Dewdney and Grace Matthews. It is unlikely that they were building ships between the early dates listed above as Daniel was to go on to be a Sailmaker and it would be 1835 before John became of age to be a Shipwright/Shipbuilder.  Daniel Jnr, married Ann Chant Tozer, in Brixham, in April 1833 and in the 1841 Census was shown to be living in Pomeroys Court with his family and was listed as a Sailmaker. In the 1841 Census, John aged 23, was living at home with father Daniel, aged 68, in King Street. John was listed as a Shipbuilder. 

As the location of the yards suggests, Rancombe Beach or Dewdney’s Cove was a beach site with ships being built above the low water mark which was the boundary of their site. In 1835,  Daniel Dewdney gave notice of his intention to build a quay / embankment along the edge of his property. The extent of his property can be seen in the 1838 Brixham Tythe Map (see page 3 of this document).

John Dewdney 1815 – 1850

I am unable to confirm the existence of John Dewdney from the Ancestry.com database.  To be old enough and qualified to  build ships in 1815, he would need to have been born at least 20 years earlier. It is logical that he would have been Daniel’s brother. The only  ships shown in the Miller database, built by the Dewdney family, in the early part of the 19th Century, were by Daniel Dewdney or Daniel Dewdney Matthews (who I believe was the same person).  The first ship, the Pallas, showing Daniel Dewdney Matthews as the shipbuilder was built in 1808. The next ship, showing Daniel Dewdney this time as the shipbuilder was the Vigilant which was built in 1815.

In the 1841 Census, Daniel, age 68 and Grace , age 62 are shown living in King Street. Daniel is listed as a Shipbuilder. Son John, age 25, was a Shipbuilder who along with sister Grace,age 15, were still living at home. Mother, Grace, died in December 1848 at the age of 69 and was buried in St Mary’s graveyard, Higher Brixham.

In the 1851 Census, Daniel, age 78, was still living in King Street but was now listed as a Ship Owner. Son John, age 35, was living at home and was listed as a Shipbuilder. Daniel Dewdney died in Brixham on 28 September 1859.

John & Samuel Dewdney 1850-1873.

By 1850, the running of the Shipbuilding Yard had passed to Daniel’s sons John (shown above) and Samuel. Samuel was born in Brixham in 1819 and in 1839 he married Susan Ann Dugdall (b.1819). In the 1841 & 1851 Census, Samuel was shown as living in King Street and was listed as a Shipbuilder like his brother John. In 1861, Samuel was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 26 men and 18 apprentices. In 1871, Samuel and his family had moved to Rock Villa on King Street and part of the Shipbuilding Yard. In 1871, John was still unmarried and lived at 42 Ranscombe, was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 9 men and 3 boys which suggests that he was building ships separately from Samuel. By the 1881 Census, John age 65, was listed as a Retired Shipbuilder living as a border at No.7 Torbay Terrace.

List of some of the ships built by John & Samuel Dewdney

Samuel had two sons who followed him into the family’s Shipbuilding business, John (b.1845) & Daniel (b.1846). A third son , and older brother, Samuel (b.1839), went on to be a Master Mariner. By the 1870’s the business was known as Samuel Dewdney & Sons. In June 1867, John married Emily Julia Kelly in Hackney and by the 1871 Census, were living in 1 Captains Row, Brixham. He was listed as a Shipbuilder. In 1881, John had moved to Rock Villa in King Street where his father Samuel had died in May 1879. In 1891, John was shown living at 42 Ranscombe and was still listed as a Shipbuilder. Two of his sons, Sidney John (23) and Harry (21) were shown living at home and were listed as Shipbuilders. Brother Daniel (b.1846) married Anne Maria Collier, in Brixham, in 1875. In 1881 they were living at 22 New Road with Daniel listed as a Shipbuilder.

Samuel died at Rock Villa in Brixham on 13th May 1879.

List of some of the ships built by Samuel Dewdney & Sons.

In 1886, S. Dewdney & Sons, built the trawler DH68 Ethel for my g. grandfather John Gempton. It was the first Brixham Trawler to be fitted with a steam winch for hauling the trawl.

In 1891, Daniel (44) was living at 37 New Road and was still listed as a Shipbuilder. By 1901 the end of the Dewdney Shipbuilding era was coming to an end after spanning a period of 100 years. John was living in Homeleigh, Berry Head Road and was still listed as a Shipwright but died in 1907 at the age of 62. Daniel had moved his family to Noth East Fulham and was listed as a Marine Surveyor. Harry had moved to East Ham in Essex and was listed as a Timber Yard Manager. Sidney John Dewdney was the last Shipbuilder living in Rock Villa, King Street employing 10 men and 8 boys and continued to build ships until around 1906 when it ended. After the death of Samuel in 1879, the family continued to register all new ships in the name of Samuel Dewdney & Sons or S. Dewney & Sons. The last ship was registered to S.Dewdney & Sons – BM206 Ronald - built for Frank Albert Jackman. 

Image showing Sidney Dewdney advert on the side of Rock Villa partially obscured by the Ice Factory chimney

Taken from the Western Times – Friday 21st October 1887

THE SHIPBUILDING TRADE OF BRIXHAM

The merchant shipping trade of Brixham which at one time kept three to four yards with six to eight vessels building at a time, has during the last ten years ceased to exist. The Insurance Association of this branch about eight years since had an insured capital of £200,000: this has also ceased to be an Association, but with the decline of trade in this branch there came an unprecedented growth of the fishing trade at Grimsby and Hull. The Brixham built craft for these ports have always been held in great favour, and long after other ports had ceased to supply vessels for this trade the orders had not slackened at Brixham. To cope with this trade Messrs. Dewdney Bros. had a powerful steam  saw-engine fitted by Mashalls Sons and Co. and Messrs. Upham Bros, had an equally effective one fitted by Robey and Co. of Lincoln; but during the past six months the northern ports above mentioned have ceased to order any more vessels from Brixham. Messrs. Dewdney will launch their last order in a fortnight, and Messrs Upham have only one order for the North, but are doing pretty well with orders for the home trade, having at the present time three vessels down for Brixham with others to build when they are launched. About a month since Messrs. Dewdney paid off several hands, and on Saturday last they gave a fortnight’s notice to nearly every man in the yard, foreman included. The outlook for the working men is very bad with the winter before them. Moreover, the Government paying off from the Dockyards is greatly increasing the number of men who are out of work in this branch of industry.

The above notice was taken from The Western Morning News – Saturday 6th April 1895. It shows that all property and possessions relating to the Dewdney family Shipbuilding business were put up for sale by auction, to be sold with no reserve. Interestingly, part of the property sale was the land opposite the Maritime Inn, which would become a Convenience Store and the Cliff running down to the Beach next to Munday’s Yard on Southern Quay. Part of the site was sold off to become the first Brixham Ice Factory.

                                      Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to  Dewdney's Shipyard

            https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wRYzOADLyRGU1ALgApIUD4UWDz94vM7EdDpvvv0WKMg/edit#gid=643748652 

Courtesy of Brixham Heritage Museum

ICE

“During the 19th century, ice was imported to Brixham from Norway and kept in ice stores around the Harbour until needed. In 1900, Messrs Hayman of Brixham erected a factory at Dewdney’s Cove, King Street, for the manufacture of ice – the National Provincial Ice and Cold Storage Co. being the first owners. The plant, of German manufacture, was installed by Messrs R.A.Lister of Dursley, Gloucester. Later, Devon and Cornwall Ice and Cold Storage Co. took over the property, followed by Messrs Bigwoods Ltd, Fish and Ice Merchants of Plymouth - their first branch manager at Brixham was Richard Henry Clyburn, who retired in 1944 and was suceeded by his son, Wilfred John Clyburn”.

                                                 Image of the Ice Factory built on site of what was  Dewdney's Lower Yard in King Street

Peter Munday – Southern Quay

Image of Munday’s Yard – far left on Southern Quay

In Horsley’s sketch of the inner harbour (see page 4)there were two Barking Yards in Brixham:- One at Overgang (see below) and one on Southern Quay (see above). Trawler sails were barked or tanned with Burma Cutch to preserve the canvas and then hoisted up on to spars to dry. Fishermen were often expected to perform this task themselves.  Peter Voisey Munday was born in Brixham in 1876. His father William Henry Munday (1824-1876) was a fisherman. Peter married Gertrude Mary Flashman (b.1888) and in the 1911 Census (age36) was shown living at, 93 King Street and was listed as a Boatbuilder (not Shipbuilder). As the building would have existed throughout the 1800’s, it would be interesting to know what it was used for in the early years! In Robson’s 1839 Directory, Josiah Bailey was listed as a Boatbuilder and Ship Owner living in King Street – where did he build boats? In 1844, Pigot’s Directory shows John Bartlett as a Shipbuilder in King Street – where did he build ships?

Robert Furneaux – Southern Quay 1798-1824

Robert Furneaux, was born in Brixham in October 1763 and was believed to be the first of the Furneaux family to become a Shipbuilder. He was the son of Robert Furneaux (1729-1783) and Sarah Bushel (b.1729). Brother John Furneaux was born in 1762. Robert, married Ann Reeves in Brixham in July 1794. In the UK Register for Apprentices Indentures, Robert was shown as a Shipwright employing several apprentices at Brixham Quay.

It was suggested that Robert was building ships from 1798 but the first ship registered to Robert Furneaux (in the Miller record) was the Olive Branch built in 1814. John Furneaux married Ann Upham Jordain in Brixham in June 1786. Their sons, Robert and Christopher would ensure the continuation of Shipbuilding in the family.  

Robert and Christopher Furneaux 1824-1831

Early image of Furneaux Shipbuilders ( and Blockmakers) on Southern Quay.

Robert was born in Brixham in 1798 and Christopher in 1799. Robert, married Mary Pomeroy (b.1798) in Brixham in October 1823. In the 1841 Census (age 50) he was shown living in King Street and was listed as a Shipbuilder. Christopher married Rebecca Rowson in Brixham in September 1823. In the 1841 Census (age 40) he was shown living in New Road and was listed as a Shipbuilder. Robert has six sons, John (b 1826) age 15 was listed as a Shipbuilders Apprentice, Robert (b.1828), Christopher (b.1832), Samuel (b.1834), James (b.1835), and George (b.1841). The partnership between Robert and Christopher ended in bankruptcy in December 1849. In 1851, Robert was still living in King Street and was listed as a Master Shipbuilder. 

Taken from Perry’s Bankrupt Gazette 29th December 1849

“Furneaux, Robert and Christopher of Brixham and elsewhere. Shipbuilder and General Merchants, 24th Dec. Debts by Mr S Calley, Brixham”.

In 1861, Mary Furneaux was listed as a Shipbuilders Widow with Robert dying in February 1861, before the next Census was taken.

In 1861, Christopher had moved with his wife to Kingskerswell and was listed as a Retired Shipbuilder. In 1871, Christopher was shown living at 54 New Road at the age of 72 and died in December 1871.

It was clear that the Furneaux family built ships within the Inner Harbour in Brixham, but an interesting article in the Western Times dated 1850 suggests that “Mr Furneaux is the proprietor” of a Shipbuilding business in Galmpton Warborough on the banks of the River Dart - was this the same Furneaux family? 

Taken from an article in the Western Times Saturday 2nd February 1850 

….. There is also a shipwright’s yard on the banks of the Dart at Galmpton Warborough, about four miles from Brixham. This business is conducted by Brixham Ship-builders, and is principally employed in building vessels for that port. We believe that Mr Furneaux is the proprietor, and at the present time they are rather busy, as there is a trawler building there, and a brig of 200 tons, whilst a schooner of 150 tons is lengthening, and a large brig from Plymouth is undergoing extensive repairs and alterations. At Warborough at the present time, about £30 per week is paid in wages to shipwrights. In Brixham there are probably about 50 shipwrights employed, the wages there and at Warborough ranging from 16s to 21s per week. There are also three rope walks, in which about 36 hands find work in making the cables, ropes and cordage required for the rigging and working ships, together with four anchor smiths, who employ about 18 men in making anchors, chain cables etc., ……………

Ships continued to be built and registered as Furneaux, Furneaux & Sons & Furneaux Brothers with the last ship being registered to John Furneaux in 1874. The ship Relic was built for William Decent.

                                                Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to Furneaux's Shipyard

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BMeq1FpiPkPGAw1LjPs0XWRC3iBamConkC_Kr46b5bo/edit#gid=1169289647 

William Chilson - Overgang

William Chilson was born in Brixham in 1800 (d.1876). In the 1830 Pigot’s Directory he was listed as a Shipbuilder at Overgang. William married Florence Smith (b.1804) in Brixham in March 1824. In the 1841 Census, he was shown living in Overgang and was listed as a Shipwright. In the 1851 Census, he was still living at Overgang and was listed as a Shipwright Master. His son, William Jnr was listed as a Shipwright Journeyman. In the 1871 Census, William Snr, was shown as having moved to Kingston upon Hull, living in 9 Henry’s Buildings and at the age of 70 was still listed as a Shipwright. He died in Hull in 1876.

Image of Overgang and the area (site unknown) where William Chilson may have built his ships or did he build in the Inner Harbour? In 1828 the Flower of Overgang was built by Chilson & Bailey. Was that the same Josiah Bailey listed in Robson’s 1839 Directory as a Boatbuilder in King Street? 

List of ships built by William Chilson taken from the Miller databse.

John Lane - Shipbuilder

John Lane (b1737) married Elizabeth Maddick (b1741) in Brixham in May 1763. Their son John Lane (b.1770) would become a Shipwright and Shipbuilder. John married Elizabeth Squires in Brixham, in April 1800. The Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices Indentures shows 2 apprentices linked to John Lane in early 1800. In Pigot’s Directory of 1830 John Lane was listed as a Shipbuilder at Paradise Street, Brixham. It was likely that he was building ships on the Beach in the Inner Harbour which was an area in front of the Bullers Arms.

The first ship registered to John Lane was the Ebenezer in 1814 with the last one registered, the Maria in 1829. In the Western Times dated Friday 22nd October 1830, John Lane was listed as a bankrupt. 

                                                   Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to John Lane

        https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yUCwmDBbqQuRy4zThoSwkY9u62nUnZXmM5RBSX8VPmM/edit#gid=430741499        

Engraved Image of Brixham Inner Harbour in the early 1800’s

John Richardson 1828 – 1840  Inner Harbour

The Richardson Shipbuilding family starts with Stephen Richards (or Richardson) being born in Cornworthy in 1739. In February 1765, he married Mary Furneaux (b.1741) in Stoke Gabriel. Sons John (b1765) and Stephen (b.1767) were born in Stoke Gabriel but by the birth of their daughter Mary (b.1770) they were living in Churston Ferrers. Stephen Snr, was a cordwainer (shoe maker) with son John following in the trade of his father. In July 1783, Stephen Jnr, was Indentured to Samuel Matthews of Brixham to train as a shipwright. 

In October 1790, Stephen married Jane May (b.1763) in Brixham. In June 1799, Stephen was taking on his own apprentice shipwright whilst working with Samuel Matthews at Brixham Quay (see Dewdney/Matthew section earlier). Son John was born in Brixham in 1799 and trained to be a Shipwright with his father’s input. In his early 20’s, he moved to Dover in Kent assumingly to forward his knowledge as a shipwright. In January 1821, John married Ann Blunden in Dover, Kent, and their son John, was born in Dover in May 1821 but by the birth of son Stephen in 1829 had already moved back to Brixham.  Miller suggests that John was building ships within the Inner Harbour but it is not clear exactly where. There was a timber yard, shown in early maps/drawings, next to the Furneaux building and on the other side was a warehouse similar in size to the Furneaux building which would be occupied in late 1890 by Peter Munday (Boat builder).It is possible that he was building there.  

List of ships built by John Richardson (possibly) in the Inner Harbour.

1814 Indenture giving Stephen Richardson the right to build a Shipyard at Fishcombe Cove.

The Tythe Map of Brixham 1838 (see page 5) shows the buildings that were erected by Stephen Richardson at Fishcombe Cove.

In 1814, the father of Stephen Richardson acquired land at Fishcombe Cove to enable son, Stephen, to build a Shipbuilding Yard. In 1804, Stephen was listed in the Return to Parliament of Shipwrights that he was working in partnership with Samuel Matthews at Dewdney’s Cove but the business was to become bankrupt by 1818. It may have been possible for Samuel Matthews to help Stephen establish a shipbuilding yard at Fishcombe Cove. 

 Miller, suggests Solomon Matthews was building ships there from 1818 but, unlikely, as he wasn’t born until 1820. In the 1841 Census, Soloman is shown living at home with his father Henry (shoe maker) in Cumbers, Brixham. He was listed as a Shipwright, aged 20. It is clear that a Solomon Matthews did build ships at Fishcombe but not until the mid 1880's (see information below).

 Pigot’s Directory of 1830 lists Stephen Richards & Son as Shipbuilders at Fishcombe Cove. Stephen died in Brixham in July 1833 and it is logical that son John would have taken over the operations of his father’s yard. In the 1841 Census, John was shown living with his family in Middle Street and was listed as a Shipbuilder with son John, age 20, listed as a Shipwright. Father and son continued shipbuilding with many of the ships owned by the Richardson family. John snr died in Hull in June 1848. In April 1844, John married Grace Davey Loram (b.1823) in Brixham and in the 1851 Census they were shown living in Higher Street. John was listed as a Shipbuilder, employing 4 men and 10 apprentices.

Tragic death of Stephen Richardson (1829 – 1837) who drowned at Fishcombe Cove in June 1837

Taken from the North Devon Journal – Thursday 15th June 1837

BRIXHAM – A melancholy accident happened on Friday, June 2nd, three boys, one 15 and the other two about 7 years of age, went out in a boat to haul a herring net, which was moored at some distance from the shore; on reaching the buoy of the net they all got on one side of the boat, by which she was turned over and they were all thrown in the water. The eldest succeeded in reaching the land, and gave the alarm. Mr Samuel Bird sailmaker, was on the shore with his gun watching for an otter which had been seen and fired at several times, he instantly plunged into the water, and swam off to thew spot, which was 300 yards distant, by this time one of the little boys had sunk to rise no more, and the other with his hands only just appearing. Mr Bird got him across his back and landed him safe; on reaching the shore he found the little boy to be his own nephew, and the other two were his cousins, the sons of Mr John Richardson, Ship builder; too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Bird for his courageous and manly exertions…

The images below of Fishcombe Cove give an insight to the serious logistics of getting key materials, including timber, delivered to the remote site.  Access would have been made either by horse and cart down the steep narrow lanes from the town or from the harbour by boat to the beach front. It is remarkable that ships of quality and all sizes could be built on such a site and speaks volumes to the skill, expertise, pride and determination of the workforce.

Up until the death of John Snr, they were mostly building ships up to 50 tons, but in the early 1850’s there seems to have been a distinct change of direction with the building of much larger ships – clippers and brigantines. In 1855, the Witch of the Waves, a 270 ton brigantine was launched “for the West Indies trade” with the South Devon Gazette quoting her as being “ the largest vessel ever built in Brixham.”

The early photo below shows the difference in size between (centre) the 42 ton sloop Favourite built by John Richardson in 1862 and (left) the 196 ton brigantine Fleetwing built by Dewdney in 1867

In the 1861 Census, John and his family were shown living in Torbay View House, King Street. John was listed as a Shipbuilder employing seven men, seven apprentices and three boys. John died in Brixham, in May 1862, at the age of 41 years. His death would bring an end to the shipbuilding era for the Richardson family. Whilst John and Grace had 2 sons, John (b.1850) and Stephen (b.1855) neither of them would become Shipbuilders – John became a Ships Carpenter and Stephen became a Fisherman.

                  Taken from the Hull & Eastern Counties Herald                             Taken from the Western Times – Saturday 29th December 1855

                                          23rd May 1867

Taken from the Western Daily Mercury – Tuesday 31st May 1864

Images of Stephen Richardson’s  Mate and Master certificates.

In the 1871 & 1881 Census, Grace Richardson was recorded as a fishing smack owner with son Stephen, unmarried and living at home listed as a fisherman. It was clear that he was to become Master of the family boats.

                                                  Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to Richardson's Shipbuilders.

           https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fOJOXP7SAy6pRuAxU9cu9_jbcS0PoP7hgM5xt93Atb0/edit#gid=394582800 

Who was Andrew Bools – Fishcombe Shipbuilder ?

Solomon Matthews – Shipbuilder at Fishcombe Cove.

Henry  Matthews was born in 1791 in Churston Ferrers and was married to Susan Lake of Stoke Gabriel (born in 1793). Their son, Solomon Lake Matthews was born in Churston in 1820. In the 1841 Census, Solomon was shown living at home, in Brixham, with his father Henry (Shoe Maker) in Cumbers, Brixham. He was listed as a Shipwright, aged 21. It is clear that a Solomon Matthews did build ships at Fishcombe but not until the mid 1880's (see information below). Miller, suggests Solomon Matthews was building ships there from 1818 but, that was unlikely as he wasn’t born until 1820 ! In April 1842, Solomon married Jane Pitts ( born 1820 in Churston Ferrers). Their son Solomon John Matthews was born in 1844. In 1861, Solomon Snr (41) was shown living in Higher Street, Brixham,  with wife Jane and was listed as a Ships Carpenter. 3 sons were shown, George (18), Solomon Jnr (16) and Thomas (15) all being listed as Apprentice Ships Carpenters. In December 1868, Solomon Jnr married Agnes Brinham James (born 1851) and by 1871, was living in Furzeham Street and, aged 26, was listed as a Shipwright. Solomon and Agnes had 2 sons Thomas (b.1869) and Henry (b.1872) befor her death in July 1874. In 1884, Solomon married Mary Jane Memery (b.1860 in Brixham) and went on to have 7 more children. 

Solomon Lake Matthews died in 1881 before the Matthews family's first boat was registered to their name being built at Fishcombe in 1884. Solomon John Matthews was clearly the Yard owner with, perhaps, brothers George and Thomas working with him. Their first boat built in 1884, the Providence DH69, was owned  by Solomon Matthews. The last boat, Merry Lass DH198, was built in 1887.

                                                                               Taken from The Western Times - Friday 9th April 1886

List of Ships built by Soloman Matthews at Fishcombe Cove.

Collection of early buildings at Churston Quay where Shipbuilding once took place.

William Gibbs 1834-1838

William Gibbs (1806 – 1880), was documented as building ships at Churston Quay during the 1830’s whilst looking for a bigger site with better access. He was to move a few miles away to Galmpton on the banks of the River Dart where he and his family became prolific trawler builders.

List of Trawlers registered to Gibbs and Lock – presume (C/F) refers to Churston Ferrers.

William Osbourne 1871-1875

William Henry Osbourne, was born in West Alvington, Kingsbridge, in 1840 and was the son of William Henry (b.1816) and Leonara Carter (b. 1816). In the 1871 Census, he was shown as living at Fishcombe, Brixham with wife Ellen. He was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 1 man and 2 boys. The document below shows that William Osborne was in partnership with John Bates but there was a petition for bankruptcy in 1869. 

Taken from the County Court Chronicle – Friday 1st October 1869

It is clear the William Osborne continued to build ships at Churston Quay (Fishcombe?) after the above petition and the list below shows that he was building up until 1875 when the Susanne was the last boat registered in his name.

William Gibbs – Galmpton Shipbuilder

William Gibbs, was born in Churston Ferrers in 1806, the son of Nicholas Gibbs (b.1765) and Mary Gilbert (b.c1765) both of Churston Ferrers. In July 1831, William married Ann Wills Cooksley (b.1806) in Churston. In the 1841 Census, William was shown living with his family at Churston Village and was listed as a Shipwright. John’s brothers, Allen (b.1810) and Michael (b.1793) were both listed as Shipwrights in the 1841 Census 

Excerpt taken from the book The South Devon Coast by Charles G.Harper, talking of Gibb’s Yard at Galmpton “ the average output of this yard is twelve trawlers a year, and it gives employment to between sixty and seventy men , who live mostly at Dittisham, taking a boat to and from work each morning and evening”.

By the 1851 Census, William was still living in Churston Village and was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 13 apprentices and 12 men. His 2 sons, John aged 18 and William Allen aged 16 were listed as Shipbuilding apprentices. In 1861, William was shown living at Manor Cottage, Churston, age 54, and was listed as a Shipbuilder employing 8 men and 5 apprentices.His son John, now 28, was listed as a Ship Carpenter (not Shipbuilder). Son, William Allen Gibbs, age 26, married Eliza Kendrick in 1857, and they were living next door to his father. He was listed as a Ship Carpenter. 

Taken from Exeter and Plymouth Gazette – Friday 28th August 1863

William Snr, had clearly suffered hard times and had been declared bankrupt, with many other shipbuilders suffering the same fate, but in 1863 he was granted a “Discharge of Bankruptcy”  and was able to resume his business. In 1871, William Snr (age 64) was still living in Manor Cottage, Churston, and was listed as a Shipbuilder. Grandson William Shillibeer Gibbs, was living with him and was lissted, at the age of 13, as Shipwrights apprentice. William Snr died in July 1880. William Allen Gibbs’ wife Eliza died in 1863 and his brother John died in 1866. In 1867, William married his brother’s widow, Louisa Shillibeer (b.1833) and took over his father’s yard after his death in 1880. In the 1881 Census, William was shown living at Galmpton, age 46, and was listed as a Shipbuilder, with sons Kendrick, age 18, and Edmund, age 15 listed as Shipwrights. Daughter Bessie Ann (b.1863) was to marry John Sanders in 1885 and he was to take over the running of the yard when William Allen Gibbs retired in 1905.

July 2023 - Photo courtesy of Morgan Williams-Overlid. This photo shows his 3 x Great Grandfather Edward Albert Mitchell, standing centre left of William Allen Gibbs (wearing the suit). Edward was a carpenter at the shipyard.

List of some of the ships built by William Allen Gibbs

In the 1911 Census, John Sanders and his family were shown living in Galmpton and he was listed as a Shipbuilder “in wood” (was earlier a Shipwright). Son John Jnr, age 21, was listed as a Shipwright. Building would continue at the yard until the World War 2 years when it came under the management of Curtis of Looe.

Image of Sander’s Shipbuilding Yard Workforce – Galmpton early 1900’s

 Images of Galmpton Creek in the early 1900’s

                                         Taken from the Herald Express 3rd August 1988                                                Image of Sailing Trawler BM28 - Provident

Taken from the Totnes Times Weekly – describing the launch of boats from Gibbs  Yard, Galmpton in the early 1900’s

Taken from the Western Morning News – Monday 17th July 1939

                                             Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to Gibb's Shipbuilders.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RVzSDsfsKbn90u9ep4Ryb0JJTzcjDmm6tYhyNG-o3Ic/edit#gid=823038918 

                                    Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to Sanders Shipbuilders.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zNGAbMKo5T4v2uzXxXnsZ0BfpHJ3IQlD6H27-8HlHVw/edit#gid=2050117251 

                Click on the link below to see all ships built and registered to Galmpton Shipbuilders where Yard is not specified

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DZLQ69hS_VGOqwLSl0tigfZNVURYjHRTlWTFd0lh-vc/edit#gid=2000029502 

Hall’s Yard – Galmpton

Courtesy of the Dolphin Boatyard website – “William Hall had been a tenant of the Duchy of Cornwall before purchasing the yard in 1850. When he retired the yard passed to his nephew, S.B Hall in 1924 and Hall’s Shipyard became a hive of industry. There were boatyards on both sides of the creek namely Gibbs and Halls, both turning out the traditional mule stern trawlers for the Brixham fishing fleet, as well as individual craft. The yards built some 300 plus trawlers between them over a 100 year period.

During the World Wars 11 years, both yards were pressed into service to build craft for the Coastal Forces. Gibbs/Sanders yard coming under the management of Curtis of Looe, who had also taken over the boat building at Totnes, whilst Hall’s Shipyard was given the responsibility of managing their own team. S.B.Hall must have worked round the clock as records show that, during the period, they built and launched 6 MGB’s (Motor Gun Boats) 6 MTB’s (Motor Torpedo Boats) 4 Fairmile B ML’s (Motor Launches), 3 Wartime MFV’s (Armed Fishing Boats) and 4 HSL’s (High Speed Launches). The build time being 8 weeks on average, utilising the two undercover slips in existence at that time and two grids. In between building, the yard was also responsible for general repairs of craft staioned at Dartmouth. Mr Hall retired in 1956 when the yard was sold to John Perrett and renamed Dolphin Boatyard. It stayed in the same family ownership until 2014 when ill health forced another sale.”

Image of Hall’s Shipyard – Galmpton Creek

                                                The Rise and Demise of the Brixham Sailing Trawler

NOTE:-  Much of the following information was taken as excerpts from the book "Sailing Trawlers" by Edgar J March which is regarded by many as the definitive work of the industry as much of the information gathered was provided first hand by Trawler Owner's, Fishermen and Shipbuilders.

It is not possibly to state with any accuracy when trawling commenced in Brixham but the first recorded building of a trawler was in the last decade of the 1700's.

As Brixham area built craft developed, three types became well known. Referred to locally as the "Mumble Bee", cutters were typically 10 to 12m, 17 ton and were mainly used for oyster dredging. The name "Mumble-Bee" was derived from the Mumbles in South Wales, near to where these small craft were used  for fishing and inshore trawling. The "Mule" was a ketch trawler under 40 tons. The "Big Sloop" was a trawler over 40 tons, originally designed for trawling in the Bristol Channel and initially with sloop rigs, although many of the larger boats converted to a more manageable  two masted ketch rig.

The large sloops were manned by a skipper, second and third hand and a boy/apprentice. There were no hourly paid men. Most of the trawlers were owned by men who had worked their way up from apprentices, and all worked on shares, the owner taking 3 3/4, master/skipper 1 1/4, and the two men 1 share each, seven shares in all. The apprentice got "stocker money" - keeping the proceeds of the sale of female crabs, oysters and squid caught up in the trawl up to a maximum of two shillings and sixpence.

In 1852, about 70 smacks of 23 to 35 tons were regularly working on the Brixham Grounds. The local fishing grounds lay 3 to 8 miles off the land between Start Point and N.E of Torbay, a distance of about 20 miles. Brixham trawlers fished further afield around most parts of the country but many crews preferred to go out and return almost every night or the next day depending on the wind conditions.

In the 1863 Enquiry concerning the state of the fishing industry, the method of financing the building of smacks was explained :- " A man may have £100 to £200 to have a new vessel built and finds people to make up the remainder. Tradesmen are ready to supply goods, if he is an industrious man, and gives credit for everything that he requires. He gives a mortgage on the vessel, a great number of smacks are mortgaged because directly a man saves £100 he gets another smack. These mortgages are entirely on new vessels, tradesmen here know less of bankruptcies among themselves than almost any town in the neighbourhood". Throughout the 1800's, the average cost of even the largest boat was around £500 and many detailed examples of those costs are shown in Edgar March's book "Sailing Trawlers" together with building plans.

On 11th January, 1866, a terrible gale caused unparalleled destruction when ships making for the harbour were unable to find their way in as huge seas had carried the lighthouse away. Sixty vessels were wrecked with over one hundred lives lost.

"The fishing smack Telegram belonging to Mr S. Gempton, of Brixham, while lying at her moorings was struck by another vessel breaking some of her stanchions causing her to make much water, and the crew of the former fearing the consequence got into their boats and into another vessel close by. The owner of the Telegram who was on shore at the time, hired a gig and went on board his vessel. He found that she had sustained serious damage by the collision and was fast sinking. He consequently lost no time in getting her towards the harbour. When about 20 fathoms from the pier head the owner, who has been at her helm up to this time, finding that she was sinking fast jumped into the sea. A few seconds afterward the Telegram sunk. Mr Gempton was gallantly brought on shore by John Lewis who went to his assistance in a gig".

In 1872, there were136 first class smacks on the register at Dartmouth, practically all belonging to Brixham men. All boats were registered in Dartmouth with the DH registration (even if built in Brixham) until 1902 when the registry was transferred to Brixham and boats converted to the BM registration.

In 1882, according to J.W Upham, boat builder, there were 154 cutters of 40 to 50 tons and 50 to 60 small boats of 15 tons and less in the port.

Although the vessels under discussion were sail driven , steam was slowly introduced to drive capstans in these boats from the mid 1870's greatly improving efficiency and working conditions at sea especially hauling the trawl and lifting/setting sails. "Ethel" DH68 was built by S.Dewdney & Sons for John Gempton. In 1887 she was the first Sailing Trawler in Brixham to be fitted with a steam winch. In 1888 she was converted to a Ketch rig. John Gempton was frequent visitor to the Bristol Channel with his boats and was instrumental in setting up the Bristol Channel Fisheries Company. 

In 1906, there were 220 first-class smacks of 15 tons and over registered at Brixham. In 1910 numbers wre 223, and in 1913 there was a fleet of about 140 big ketches. The ten years prior to war in 1914 were the most prosperous Brixham had known.increasing by landing weight and value. Practically every trawler was owned by fishermen and employment was given to large number of shipwrights, sailmakers, riggers, blockmakers etc. 

Golden Vanity was built in 1908 by J Sanders & Co at Galmpton in the River Dart. She was built as a gentlemans yacht along the lines of a "mumble -bee" type gaff cutter for the marine artist Athur Briscoe. In 1933, Uphams Yard built 2 more boats, Our Boy and Charmian  along the lines of their Sailing Trawlers. As this time signalled the end of the Sailing Trawler era, they were fitted out as yachts so never had to undergo the rigors of fishing and hauling trawls. To the purist, they may not seem to be discussed in the same terms as the others, but  like the other Sailing Trawlers they have been restored over the years and continue to sail the seas as a tribute to the skills of their original craftsmen and those skills passed down to others over the years.