Kinsale Dockyard

BRN base

HM Dockyard Kinsale

Kinsale in Ireland
Site information
Operator| English Navy, Royal Navy
Controlled by| Navy Board
Site history
In use| 1647-1812
Garrison information
Past
commanders| Commissioner of the Navy, Kinsale
Occupants| Irish Squadron

Kinsale Dockyard was a British Royal Navy base located at Kinsale, Ireland from c. 1647 to 1812.[1]

## History

[edit]

Map of Kinsale Harbour in 1741 from the collection of Royal Museums Greenwich, London, England

By the early 17th century, Kinsale Harbour was already 'a place of great resort for his Majesty's ships of war'[2] During the Battle of Kinsale, ships were often careened on the isthmus of the Castlepark peninsula, where (in an area still known as 'The Dock') facilities were provided for ship repair and maintenance. Later in the century, these facilities migrated across the river to the Custom House Quay at Kinsale itself. By the mid-17th century, a small dockyard had been established, with staff including locally-known shipwrights from Chudleigh family (John Chudleigh, first appointed as assistant to the Master Shipwright in 1647, later served as Master Shipwright at the yard and was succeeded by his son, Thomas Chudeleigh).[3] In 1650, victualling facilities were established alongside the dockyard; these played a key role in the provisioning of westbound vessels setting off from England and Ireland to the colonies.[4] In 1683 the newly constituted Victualling Board appointed an Agent Victualler to Kinsale to oversee these operations.[5] At the same time, work was underway to improve fortifications around the harbour: the 'New Fort' (Charles Fort) was opened in 1682, to complement the 'Old Fort' (James's Fort).

The dockyard initially served as one of the bases for the Royal Navy's Irish Squadron.[6] Then, in 1694, the English Parliament established Kinsale as the headquarters for co-ordinating convoy operations in the Western Approaches (for protecting merchant shipping from attacks by privateers). In connection, it became home base for up to forty-three cruizers, deployed there to serve as escort ships (though some were based in Bristol, which had a similar co-ordinating role in relation to the Welsh coast).[7] The escort cruizers were mainly fifth-rate naval vessels: small but fast; indeed, Kinsale was always limited to handling smaller vessels, owing to the sandbar at the mouth of the River Bandon.[8] Prize vessels were often brought to Kinsale; the vessels would be anchored in the river and their crews imprisoned in the town.[9]

Although the yard was mainly focussed on ship maintenance, some building took place, most notably of the eponymously named frigate HMS Kinsale, which was launched there on 22 May 1700.[10] The yard was small compared to the larger Royal Navy Dockyards in England; yet at the height of its activity, in the 1720s, the complex supported a not insubstantial body of labourers, including sixty joiners, forty shipwrights and an assortment of coopers, caulkers, maltsters and smiths.[11]

A survey of the dockyard undertaken by Sir Charles Vallancey in 1777 describes storehouses arranged around three sides of a quadrangle fronting on to the river, an open courtyard containing a mast pond and other buildings (including offices, a sail loft, paint shop and nail store) all enclosed within a perimeter wall, and an area with a boathouse and slipway; however, Vallancey also reported that, while 'Kinsale was suitable in former years it could not [now] cater for our ships of war which draw more water than formerly'.[12] Ominously for the yard's prospects, he concluded that this rendered 'the old Dock and Harbour of Kinsale inadequate for any considerable maritime accommodation or enterprise'.

By 1765 the Admiralty had acquired a property, further along the coast, at the Cove of Cork on the River Lee. Gradually, over the rest of the century, victualling and other facilities were moved there from Kinsale; but the new site was itself far from ideal. It was only after 1803, when the Agent Victualler suggested instead developing Haulbowline (a nearby uninhabited island in Cork Harbour) that Kinsale Dockyard was fully run down, a process that was completed by 1812.

## Administration of the dockyard and other key officials

[edit]

Responsibility for naval dockyards rested with the Navy Board until 1832, local superintendence being exercised by civilian resident commissioners.[13] Below are incomplete lists of key officials associated with the dockyard.

### Commissioner of the Navy, Kinsale

[edit]

Included:[14]

* 1694–1702, Benjamin Timewell
* 1702–1713, Captain Lawrence Wright

### Clerk of the Cheque

[edit]

Included:[15]

* 1676, William Penn

### Master Attendant

[edit]

Included:[16]

* 1694–1712, Bartholomew Clements
* 1744–1748, Thomas Martin

### Master Caulker

[edit]

Included:[17]

* 1647–1652, John Chudeleigh [18]
* 1718–1719, Henry Knight

### Master Shipwright

[edit]

Included:[19]

* 1647–1652, John Chudeleigh [20]
* 1653–1676, Thomas Chudleigh [21]
* 1698–1705, Richard Stacey
* 1705–1711, John Philips
* 1711–1714, John Philips
* 1714-1714, John Hayward
* 1744, Thomas Fearne

### Master Sailmaker

[edit]

Included:[22]

* 1745, Stephen Harris

### Muster Master

[edit]

Included:[23]

* 1705, John Griffin[24]
* 1724–1725, John Bridger
* 1725–1752, Daniel Furzer
* 1753, Thomas Foxworthy
* 1783, John Heard [25]

### Storekeeper

[edit]

Included:[26]

* 1705, John Griffin[27]
* 1724–1725, John Bridger
* 1725–1752, Daniel Furzer
* 1753, Thomas Foxworthy
* 1783, John Heard [28]

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ Cock, Randolph; Rodger, N.A.M. (2008). "A Guide to the Naval records in the National Archives of the UK" (PDF). London, England: Institute of Historical Research, University of London. p. 213. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
2. ^ Thuillier, p.00
3. ^ Murphy, Elaine (2012). Ireland and the War at Sea, 1641-1653. Woodbridge, England: Boydell & Brewer Ltd. pp. 84–85\. ISBN 9780861933181.84-85&rft.pub=Boydell+&+Brewer+Ltd&rft.date=2012&rft.isbn=9780861933181&rft.aulast=Murphy&rft.aufirst=Elaine&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=5M5zVuYWAX8C&q;=Master+Shipwright+at+Kinsale+Dockyard&pg;=PA85&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Kinsale+Dockyard" class="Z3988">
4. ^ Murphy. pp.84-85.
5. ^ Coad, p. 20.
6. ^ Davies, J. D. (20 November 2008). Pepys's navy : ships, men & warfare, 1649-1689. Barnsley, England: Seaforth. p. 194\. ISBN 9781848320147.
7. ^ Thuillier, p.00
8. ^ Coad, Jonathan (2013). Support for the Fleet: Engineering and architecture of the Royal Navy's bases, 1700–1914. Swindon, UK: English Heritage.
9. ^ Thuillier, p.00
10. ^ "Georgian Kinsale". Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. XLIV: 100. July–December 1939.
11. ^ Thuillier, p.00
12. ^ Thuillier, p.00
13. ^ "Records of Dockyards". www.discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Kew, England: The National Archives UK. 1690–1981. Retrieved 2 March 2019. This section contains some copied content from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
14. ^ Clowes, William Laird; Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert) (1897–1903). The royal navy, a history from the earliest times to the present. London: S. Low, Marston. p. 231.
15. ^ "William Penn, Clerk of the Cheque and Thomas Chudleigh, Master Shipwright, Kinsale. Receipt of order and will survey the King's houses in possession of the victuallers". www.nationalarchives.co.uk. Kew, England: The National Archives, UK. 11 January 1676. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
16. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Master Attendant at Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S . Harrison. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
17. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Master Caulker at Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
18. ^ Murphy. pp.84-85.
19. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Master Shipwright at Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
20. ^ Murphy. pp.84-85.
21. ^ National Archives
22. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Master Sailmaker at Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
23. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Muster Master at Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
24. ^ Stockdale, John (1802). The Parliamentary Register: Or, History of the Proceedings and Debates of the House of Commons. London, England: J. Stockdale. p. 2.
25. ^ "John Heard, mustermaster and storekeeper at Kinsale Dockyard; Joseph Green, purser; William Veasey, gunner; John Taylor, gunner; Benjamin Evans, gunner; Richard Edgcumbe, gunner; Aaron Fletcher, carpenter; Henry Simpson, master at arms; John Wybrown, boatswain; John McDougal, gunner; George Wilson, gunner; Robert Johnstone, gunner; Thomas Salisbury, gunner; Thomas Hand, Lieutenant. Warrants or commissions for service at this rank in the Royal Navy". www.nationalarchives.co.uk. Kew, London, England: The National Archives UK. 1783. Retrieved 3 March 2019. "ADM 6/23 - Commission and Warrant Book"
26. ^ Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Storekeeper at Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S. Harrison. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
27. ^ Stockdale. p.2.
28. ^ "John Heard, mustermaster and storekeeper at Kinsale Dockyard; Joseph Green, purser; William Veasey, gunner; John Taylor, gunner; Benjamin Evans, gunner; Richard Edgcumbe, gunner; Aaron Fletcher, carpenter; Henry Simpson, master at arms; John Wybrown, boatswain; John McDougal, gunner; George Wilson, gunner; Robert Johnstone, gunner; Thomas Salisbury, gunner; Thomas Hand, Lieutenant. Warrants or commissions for service at this rank in the Royal Navy". www.nationalarchives.co.uk. Kew, London, England: The National Archives UK. 1783. Retrieved 3 March 2019. "ADM 6/23 - Commission and Warrant Book"

## Bibliography

[edit]

1. Coad, Jonathan (2013). Support for the Fleet: Engineering and architecture of the Royal Navy's bases, 1700–1914. Swindon, UK: English Heritage.
2. Cock, Randolph; Rodger, N. A. M. (2008). "A Guide to the Naval records in the National Archives of the UK" (PDF). London, England: Institute of Historical Research, University of London.
3. Clowes, William Laird; Markham, Clements R. (Clements Robert) (1897–1903). The royal navy, a history from the earliest times to the present. London: S. Low, Marston.
4. Davies, J. D. (20 November 2008). Pepys's navy : ships, men & warfare, 1649–1689. Barnsley, England: Seaforth. p. 194.ISBN 9781848320147.
5. Harrison, Simon (2010–2018). "Kinsale Dockyard, Offices associated with Kinsale Dockyard". threedecks.org. S . Harrison.
6. Murphy, Elaine (2012). Ireland and the War at Sea, 1641–1653. Woodbridge, England: Boydell & Brewer Ltd. ISBN 9780861933181.
7. "Records of Dockyards". (1690–1981). www.discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Kew, England: The National Archives UK.
8. Stockdale, John (1802). The Parliamentary Register: Or, History of the Proceedings and Debates of the House of Commons. London, England:
9. Thuillier, John R. (2014). Kinsale Harbour: A History. Wilton, Cork, Ireland: The Collins Press.

* v
* t
* e

Navy Board

Principal officers|

* Lieutenant of the Admiralty, (1546-1564)
* Treasurer of Marine Causes, (1546-1564)
* Comptroller of the Navy, (1546-1660)
* Surveyor of the Navy, (1546-1832)
* Clerk of the Navy, (1546-1660)
* Master of Naval Ordnance, (1546-1589)
* Keeper of the Storehouses, (1546-1560)
* Surveyor of Marine Victuals, (1550-1679)
* Treasurer of the Navy and Senior Commissioner, (1564-1660)
* Comptroller of the Navy and Chairman of the Board, (1660-1832)
* Treasurer of the Navy, (1660-1832)
* Clerk of the Acts, (1660-1796)
* Controller of Treasurer Accounts, (1667-1796)
* Controller of Victualling Accounts, (1667-1796)
* Controller of Storekeepers Accounts, (1671-1796)
* Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services, (1800-1832)
* Commissioners for Current Business, (1686-1688)
* Commissioners for Old Accounts, 1686-1688)
* Commissioners for Examining Accounts (Incurred), (1688-1689)
* Deputy Comptroller of the Navy, (1793-1813), (1829-1832)
* Pay Commissioner, (1796-1814)
* Civil Architect and Engineer of the Navy, (1808-1812)
* Surveyor of Buildings, (1813-1832)
* Surveyor of Dockyards, (1813-1832)
* Accountant-General of the Navy, (1829-32)
* Superintendent of Transport, (1829-1831)
* Storekeeper-General of the Navy, (1829-32)

Subsidiary boards|

* Sick and Hurt Board
* Transport Board
* Victualling Board

Resident Commissioners
of the navy
home yards|

* Resident Commissioner, Chatham Dockyard, (1631-1829)
* Resident Commissioner, Portsmouth Dockyard, (1649-1829)
* Resident Commissioner, Woolwich Dockyard,(1688-1828)
* Resident Commissioner, Plymouth Dockyard, (1691-1822)
* Resident Commissioner, Deptford Dockyard, (1714-1823)
* Resident Commissioner, Sheerness Dockyard, (1793-1822)
* Resident Commissioner, Devonport Dockyard, (1823-1832)

Resident Commissioners
of the navy
overseas yards|

* Resident Commissioner, Jamaica Yard, (1675-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Cadiz Yard, (1694)
* Resident Commissioner, Bombay Yard
* Resident Commissioner, Kinsale Yard, (1694-1713)
* Resident Commissioner, Gibraltar Yard, (1704-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Antigua Yard, (1707-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Ascension Yard, (1728-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Port Mahon Yard, (1742-1763)
* Resident Commissioner, Halifax Yard, (1759-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Barbados Yard, (1779-1783, 1810)
* Resident Commissioner, Kingston Yard, (1783-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Ajaccio Yard, (1794-1799)
* Resident Commissioner, Bermuda Dockyard, (1795-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Amherstburg Yard, (1796-1813)
* Resident Commissioner, Quebec Yard, (1804-1826)
* Resident Commissioner, Malta Dockyard, (1805-1832)
* Resident Commissioner, Madras Yard, (1808-1817)
* Resident Commissioner, Cape of Good Hope Yard, (1808-1822)
* Resident Commissioner, Bombay Dockyard, (1808-1816)
* Resident Commissioner, Trincomalee Dockyard, (1810-1832)

Offices
under the
principal officers|

* Navy Office
* Navy Pay Office
* Sick and Hurt Office
* Transport Office
* Victualling Office

* v
* t
* e

Royal Navy shore establishments

current|

| naval bases|

* HMNB Clyde
* HMNB Devonport
* HMNB Portsmouth
* HMS Jufair

|

stone frigates|

* BRNC Dartmouth
* CTCRM Lympstone
* HMS Collingwood
* HMS Drake
* HMS Excellent
* HMS Nelson
* HMS Raleigh
* HMS Sultan
* HMS Temeraire
* Institute of Naval Medicine
* Defence Diving School

Royal Marines bases|

* RM Bickleigh
* RM Chivenor
* RM Condor
* RM Norton Manor
* RM Poole
* RM Stonehouse
* RM Tamar
* RM Instow

air stations|

* RNAS Culdrose
* Predannack Airfield
* RNAS Merryfield
* RNAS Yeovilton
* HMS Gannet

Royal Naval Reserves|

* HMS Calliope
* HMS Cambria
* HMS Ceres
* HMS Dalriada
* HMS Eaglet
* HMS Ferret
* HMS Flying Fox
* HMS Forward
* HMS Hibernia
* HMS King Alfred
* HMS President
* HMS Scotia
* HMS Sherwood
* HMS Vivid
* HMS Wildfire

other|

* Navy Command Headquarters
* RNAD Coulport
* British Defence Singapore Support Unit
* UK Joint Logistics Support Base

former|

| home|

* HMS Abastor
* HMS Aggressive
* HMS Badger
* HMS Daedalus II
* HM Dockyard Chatham
* HM Dockyard Deptford
* HM Dockyard Erith
* HM Dockyard Harwich
* HM Dockyard Pembroke
* HM Dockyard Portland
* HM Dockyard Rosyth
* HMS Cambridge
* HMS Dryad
* HMS Ferret
* HMS Forest Moor
* HM Fort Roughs
* HMS Forward (1939)
* HMS Flycatcher
* HMS Ganges
* HMS Harrier
* HM Holmrook Hall
* HMS Imperieuse
* HMS Lochinvar
* HMS Mercury
* HMS King Alfred (1939)
* Scapa Flow
* HMS Newt
* HMS Royal Arthur
* HMS Standard
* HMS St Christopher
* HMS St Vincent
* HMS Vernon
* Port HHZ
* RM Turnchapel
* RNAD Broughton Moor
* DM Crombie
* RNAD Dean Hill
* DM Gosport
* RNAS Prestwick
* RNAY Wroughton
* HM Victualling Yard Royal Clarence
* HM Victualling Yard Royal Victoria
* HM Victualling Yard Royal William
* HM Dockyard Woolwich
* List of air stations of the Royal Navy

|

overseas|

* Grand River Naval Depot
* HM Naval Yard Penetanguishene
* HM Naval Shipyards York
* HMRND Amherstburg
* HM Dockyard Bermuda
* HM Dockyard Bombay
* HM Dockyard Gibraltar
* HM Dockyard Haulbowline
* HM Dockyard Jamaica
* HM Dockyard Kinsale
* HM Dockyard Madras
* HM Dockyard Port Mahon
* HM Dockyard Port Royal
* HM Dockyard Trincomalee
* HM Naval Base Aden
* HM Naval Base Colombo
* HM Naval Base Cochin
* HM Naval Base Singapore
* HM Naval Base Simon's Town
* HM Naval Base Weihaiwei
* HM Naval Yard Garden Island
* HMRND Esquimalt
* HMRNB Georgetown
* HMRND Kingston
* HM Dockyard Malta
* Auckland
* HMRNB Halifax
* HMS Tamar
* HM Dockyard Antigua
* Navy Hall

*[c.]: circa
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template