Sunday 31 October 2010

A Fire on the Boyne

On 1 May 1795, HMS Boyne, a fine 98 gun ship was destroyed by fire in Portsmouth Harbour. Moody gives the following startling description: ‘Most of the crew were saved by boats, but the heat at length became so excessive that no further assistance could be given, and on the return of the tide she drifted out of the harbour, the fires issuing through every porthole. Her lower guns were shotted, and as these went off much damage was done, and some lives lost. After burning about seven hours, her powder magazine blew up, with an explosion which was sensibly felt over all Portsmouth. Shot, and pieces of timber, were thrown to a great distance; several boats were blown to atoms and twenty of their hands perished.’ Taken from Black’s Guide to Hampshire 1885

Saturday 30 October 2010

Grand Parade

This fashionable area of Portsmouth was the hub of activity and centre for military parades. It has variously been described as: ‘A most charming resort for the gay, the elegant and the distinguished of both sexes. The public promenades, on the Platform, Parade, Ramparts and the Queen’s Battery, where the company are regaled every fine evening with the most choice airs, performed by the military bands, are also a charming source of rational and healthful entertainment to minds susceptible to such exquisite pleasures.’ Mottley 1776 ‘this guard (the main) is very well situated as it commands the gate, the High Street and is near the magazine (Square Tower), the platform and the governor’ Leake 1729 ‘the ramparts next to the sea, with that beautiful prospect of the Isle of Wight, the ocean and the shipping’ Wilkinson ‘everything looked so beautiful under the influence of such a sky, the effects of the shadows pursuing each other, on the ships at Spithead and the island beyond’ Jane Austen in Mansfield Park

Monday 25 October 2010

A Dockyard the size of a Town

‘The Dockyard resembles a town in the number of its dwelling houses, offices, storehouse, lofts and other edifices erected fro the various purposes of the yard. It contains amazing quantities of everything necessary for the royal navy. There are never less that 2,000 men employed in it, and in times of war upwards of 2,000..’ Guide to Portsmouth 1775

Thursday 21 October 2010

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.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Judge Jeffreys and Portsmouth

Portsmouth has a surprising connection with the notorious George Jeffreys. He was made Burgess of Portsmouth on 10 September 1684. From 1685 to 1688 he was Recorder of Portsmouth but it appears that the office was performed during this period by a deputy, William Westbrook, who subsequently succeeded him as Recorder in 1689. Persons who were condemned to death and executed in the Bloody Assize, presided over by Jeffreys, which followed Monmouth’s rebellion in 1685 included John Hicks. Hicks had been minister of the non-conformist congregation at Portsmouth from about 1675 to 1681. This congregation was responsible for the later building the High Street Chapel. Additionally Alice Lady Lisle of Moyles Court near Ringwood was condemned by Jeffreys for giving shelter to Hicks and another man after the Rebellion. Jeffreys died in the Tower of London on 18 April 1689. Following the flight of James II overseas in December 1688, Jeffreys had himself tried to escape but was recognised and imprisoned.

Friday 8 October 2010

Warblington Street

This name was adopted after the stone and brick from the ruined Warblington Castle, a few miles from Portsmouth, was used in the building of the newer houses. The name was in use from 1672 although this road was previously known as Hoggyn Markett or Hogmarkett Streete reflecting the livestock market that was held here. Both names were used interchangeably until the mid 1770s. In 1721, the local court heard the following complaint: ‘That the pavements before almost all the houses in Hogmarket als Warblinton Street are very ruinous out of Repair and that the laying of Dung, Filth and Burchers Offal there is a comon nuisance.’ Warblington Castle had been slighted in the Civil War by Parliamentarian forces.

Monday 4 October 2010

Henry I

In 1133 the last embarkation of Henry I from Portsmouth harbour was marked by an earthquake following a total eclipse of the sun wrecking a number of vessels of the Royal fleet. In gratitude for his deliverance the King founded a church within the walls of Portchester Castle.

Calling the Powers that Be to account

Before the modern structure of the council, much of the day to day running of Portsmouth was conducted by Constables who were paid officials. Complaints about their conduct could be made in the local courts and if the complaints were found valid, monetary punishment could be made. In 1554 the Portsmouth Constables were presented at Court for failure to ensure monthly that all people between the ages of 7 and 60 had bows and arrows. At this time there were 3 constables and they were each fined 12 pence. In 1618 some citizens were discontented with the way the town was run. The constables of Portsmouth were presented to the sessions court: ‘for neglectynge ther office in suffering and not punishing vakabondes, rogges and numskulls to stay in the towne contrary to the Statute’. A similar complaint was made in 1620 and 1627: ‘We present the Constables of the Burrough that they amend the Stocks, Cage, and Whipping Posts and Pillory at or before the first day of December next on paine to loose Vis. VIIId.’

Friday 1 October 2010

An 1883 bye-law

There is much in the local news recently about public disorder in Portsmouth. A bye-law passed in 1883 states that; ‘no person within the Borough of Portsmouth shall by shouting, singing, bawling, ringing a bell, or by playing on any instrument, make a disturbance in or near any thoroughfare or by any means, whatsoever, cause persons to collect so as to obstruct the free and uninterrupted passage.’ It appears that this was not enforced even at the time moving one commentator in 1910 to state: ‘If measures are not taken to prevent annoyance to pedestrians and residents, Portsmouth will soon get the reputation for being a badly governed town.'