COWES HERITAGE and
COMMUNITY GROUP
Registered Charity: 1192247
Only able to show a fraction of the huge collection of archived photos. This picture was chosen as a tribute to the thousands of men & women who worked either side of the river for this hugely successful shipbuilding firm. At rest here but it was the skill and hard work of employees that produced the many ships & aircraft which were “Cowes Built”.
Founder of the company which became known by his son’s name, lived in this house, later demolished as the shipbuilding flourished. Many innovative designs were tested on the pool.
“Waterwitch” the ship which made the firms reputation; built as a private yacht for the Earl of Belfast it was purchasedi by the Royal Navy in 1834, having noted its unique speed.
This captures the activity of this busy shipyard.
Succeeding his father J Samuel White, as he became known as, ensured that his name became a byword for modern high quality design.
Much altered over the years, the dry dock was filled in as more modern ship construction evolved.
White’s patented a double-diagonal planking system; wooden hull over a wrought iron frame this led to orders such as SS Vectis,commissioned by P&O.
This shot was before Health and Safety offered some protection for workers. One wonders how many on this crowded hull could swim.
Added to the the company’s buildings this large hanger became the centre of aircraft production.
Lifeboat production was a major part of White’s output from1843 to 1964 with 145 lifeboats including 22 Barnet class (illustrated) built. The website Bartie’s World is a great source of information about White’s plus much more.
Now in Chatham historic dockyard HMS Cavalier is a retired Royal Navy C-class destroyer Royal Navy. She was laid down by J. Samuel White on 28 March 1943, launched on 7 April 1944, and commissioned on 22 November 1944. She saw service in the Arctic and Far East; finally decommissioned in 1972.
A paddle steamer built by White’s in 1925 for work on the Thames. She was taken over by the Admiralty during the Second World War for use as a minesweeper. She was sunk 29th May 1940 during the evacuation from Dunkirk
So many skilled men worked in the shipyards on either side of the Medina.
An essential job that could only be done by hand, requiring knowledge of the tools and materials used.
Now Cowes Community Club the land opposite Northwood Rec in Park Rd became a site for sports.