Striking Shipwrights

The Dockyardmen of Portsmouth in the 1800s developed a unique workplace culture. Work progressed at a measured pace, with an emphasis on quality rather than speed, leading to some criticism for idleness. Change was accepted only slowly and sometimes not at all. For example, in 1839 the Admiralty decided to make up for working time lost at musters by adding 15 minutes to the working day. When introduced, all work just stopped, the Master Shipwright was moved to intervene and the Admiralty quietly backed down.