The Journey of Raw Cotton - Ships - 15th May, 2019

Local pottery made to commemorate launch of ship 'Love of Whitehaven' - Beacon Museum

In our last session we traced the journey of raw cotton from the Americas to the Port of Whitehaven.

Ships played a major part in the supply of not only raw materials such as cotton but also the transportation of coal from the mines of West Cumbria to fuel the factories.

This session we learned that ships were built in Whitehaven - over a thousand ships were built there.  The above plate was made in a local pottery in Whitehaven to mark the launch of the 'Love of Whitehaven'.

Ships were also built in Carlisle at the Canal Basin.  William Bell of Bowness built seven at Carlisle at his timber yard.

The Crown

The City 1825

The Albion 1826

The Jane 1829

The Fortuna 1827

The Elizabeth 1832

The Blenkinsop 1838

These were ocean going ships that would carry 110 tons.



Carlisle Canal Basin - painting Tullie House

We shall trace the journey of the raw cotton from Whitehaven along Carlisle Canal  to the Mills in the next session but this week we became ship builders for the day!

Jac showed how to make a basic ship using mostly recycled cardboard, then how to attach the mast and make the sails.



We were then able experiment and make the ship our own by decorating the sails and naming our ships.



Some of us worked in pairs - one making whilst detailed notes were made in ship construction - well done.
 
A flat bottomed ship under construction.







 The fleet of ships taking shape!






Look out the pirates are coming!..............

Even someone walking the plank!


 Well done everyone.





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