Portsmouth Dockyardmen

Employment in the Dockyard in Portsmouth for skilled craftsmen in the mid 1800s was unusually secure for the period. The ‘established men’ were kept on at all times while ‘hired men’ were taken on only at busy periods and who could then be dismissed when no longer needed. There were a number of additional benefits to being an established man. A secure pension was paid after 20 years, paid holidays and sick leave provided, and workers also benefitted from free medical attention. These men and their families had little reason to fear the workhouse. The number of Dockyardmen fluctuated between 1500-5000 at this period. Considering the average mill or mine at this time employed 200-300 workers, Portsmouth Dockyard was one of the largest industrial undertakings in the country.