Rope and Sailmakers of Devonport Dockyard

[cire]

Does anyone know if there are any records of the

" Rope and Sailmakers of Devonport Dockyard"

from around the 1850s, and if so where they might be housed.

in hope

Eric

[Plymouth_Ian]

Hi Eric,

There is a Devonport Dockyard Museum situated just inside Granby Gate (South Yard).

This Museum holds open days through the summer but I'm not certain of the frequency.

Just down from the Museum is the old ropewalk which is a fantastic building.

Also, close by, there is a working gallows for hanging French servicemen during the Napoleonic wars  (I was told that it was mostly used by the French officers, to hang French matelots).

I'm not sure what the Museum holds in the way of records though, it could be worth contacting Plymouth and West Devon Records Office to see if they have anything, if not, the Admiralty may hold some records.

The Museum is open during "Navy Days", the next one of which is due in 2008 but I have not heard confirmation of this.

Plymouth_Ian

[J.J.]

Might want to see if they have any records here...
if you put your surname and the occupation in, you'll likely get
what is online, also ( information from Plymouth and West Devon Record Office)..J.J.

[cire]

 Thanks Ian,
I will have to pay a visit to the museum next time I am in Plymouth. We might get down there later in the year.

I have sent an e-mail to the Plymouth and West Devon Records but haven't had a reply as yet.

John Spencer was a sailmaker but I don't know if he was an employer or employee. The 1861 census puts his address as "St Andrews Factory" Catherine St. Plymouth., but in both 1851 and 1871 his address is given as 15 Notte Street!!!

Eric

[Plymouth_Ian]

Hi Eric,

I would think that if he lived in Notte Street it is more likely that he made sails for civilian craft than Naval vessels.

I suspect that the Dockyard would have had its own "in house" sail making operation.

This is of course discounting the fact that he may have made them for the Dockyard / Navy "off-site".

Plymouth_Ian

[J.J.]

Oh, dear, sorry that I never noticed my paste didn't work...
http://www.a2a.org.uk/about/catalogues/new0308.asp

but I see you have made contact already, anyway ... J.J.

[tsumi]

I am following this thread with interest .My Grt Grandfather was a Ropemaker and lived in Salem Street Plymouth also his father who was a Shipwright and there is nothing to note about either job on the net .Unfortunatly I live nowhere near Devon so a visit would be in the  future.
Cheers Tsumi

[cire]

Just to say thanks for all the interest in this topic. I have had a reply from local studies at Plymouth, but they do not do personal research. So it looks as though I shall have to wait until I get to Plymouth or persuade my grandaughter to go and search for me!

Eric

[bornarnold]

Hi In fact I was a sailmaker in the Dockyard in 1967 and we about 50 sailmakers at the time but we had no contact with the ropemakers in there as it was considered another job as it still is even in Holland ! Your sailmaker most certainly did NOT work in  the dockyard as there were many small businesses around at the time and even now in and around Devonport so there is no point going to the musum because even the trade was different as we done most work by hand and not even the same stitching
regards gord