Ramsgate: Difference between revisions
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The construction OF Ramsgate Harbour was begun in 1749 but not finally completed in about 1850. Ramsgate Harbour is the only Royal Harbour in the United Kingdom, [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George 4th]] having awarded the title following his successful visit with the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1821. The full benefits of its development were to become apparent, in particular with regard to the shelter it could offer from the effect of storms and it’s close proximity to the Goodwin Sands. The Harbour is now the site of one of the largest and most thriving [[marina]]s on the UK south coast with passenger [[ferries]] periodically sailing to the Continent. (New services are planned for the future). |
The construction OF Ramsgate Harbour was begun in 1749 but not finally completed in about 1850. Ramsgate Harbour is the only Royal Harbour in the United Kingdom, [[George IV of the United Kingdom|King George 4th]] having awarded the title following his successful visit with the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1821. The full benefits of its development were to become apparent, in particular with regard to the shelter it could offer from the effect of storms and it’s close proximity to the Goodwin Sands. The Harbour is now the site of one of the largest and most thriving [[marina]]s on the UK south coast with passenger [[ferries]] periodically sailing to the Continent. (New services are planned for the future). |
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It is clear from the many accounts of the local sea rescues that the [[Ramsgate tugboats]], whilst undertaking salvage work were also able to attend to the saving of lives and their crews performed many a noteworthy task in this regard, either alone or by co-operation with the Lifeboats which they would often tow out to the scene of an imminent disaster to stand off whilst the smaller craft would attend. |
It is clear from the many accounts of the local sea rescues that the [[Ramsgate tugboats]], whilst undertaking salvage work were also able to attend to the saving of lives and their crews performed many a noteworthy task in this regard, either alone or by co-operation with the Lifeboats which they would often tow out to the scene of an imminent disaster to stand off whilst the smaller craft would attend. |
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A Lifeboat station was established at Ramsgate as early as 1802, it’s first Lifeboat having been built for the Trustees of the Harbour by the Lifeboat pioneer [[Henry Greathead]]. Half a Century later however after the station had been closed for 28 years, that other famous Ramsgate Lifeboat the ‘Northumberland’ appeared there in 1851, and was named in honour of the Lifeboat sponsor the then [[Duke of Northumberland]]. The new and prized boat had been built in accordance with the plans of a model that had been the prize-winner in the 1851 national competition for the best design for such a craft. |
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Then, as now, without a doubt, by far the most hazardous area around the Kent coastline to any navigator was the most notorious [[Goodwin Sands]], It is incredulous then to imagine that this site at low water was to become one of the local cricket fields, but such was the tenacity of local mariners a tradition sprung up that survives to this day, whereby those so inclined make the journey to the Sands for a leisurely few hours in pursuit of this very English past-time. |
Then, as now, without a doubt, by far the most hazardous area around the Kent coastline to any navigator was the most notorious [[Goodwin Sands]], It is incredulous then to imagine that this site at low water was to become one of the local cricket fields, but such was the tenacity of local mariners a tradition sprung up that survives to this day, whereby those so inclined make the journey to the Sands for a leisurely few hours in pursuit of this very English past-time. |
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Revision as of 11:39, 15 June 2004
Note: See Ramsgate, Australia for the Sydney suburb of Ramsgate.
Ramsgate is an
, and there is some light industry. Population (1989 estimate) 38,200.In
Ramsgate has two notable churches. St Lawrence-in-Thanet was built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 13th. St Augustine's was designed by
The construction OF Ramsgate Harbour was begun in 1749 but not finally completed in about 1850. Ramsgate Harbour is the only Royal Harbour in the United Kingdom,
It is clear from the many accounts of the local sea rescues that the
A Lifeboat station was established at Ramsgate as early as 1802, it’s first Lifeboat having been built for the Trustees of the Harbour by the Lifeboat pioneer Henry Greathead. Half a Century later however after the station had been closed for 28 years, that other famous Ramsgate Lifeboat the ‘Northumberland’ appeared there in 1851, and was named in honour of the Lifeboat sponsor the then Duke of Northumberland. The new and prized boat had been built in accordance with the plans of a model that had been the prize-winner in the 1851 national competition for the best design for such a craft.
Then, as now, without a doubt, by far the most hazardous area around the Kent coastline to any navigator was the most notorious Goodwin Sands, It is incredulous then to imagine that this site at low water was to become one of the local cricket fields, but such was the tenacity of local mariners a tradition sprung up that survives to this day, whereby those so inclined make the journey to the Sands for a leisurely few hours in pursuit of this very English past-time.
It was in the summer of 1824 that Captain K. Martin, then the Harbour Master at Ramsgate instituted the proceedings of the first ever such contest. This event was said to be ‘a wicked blasphemy’ against all those who had come to grief upon the Goodwin Sands, but so familiar was it to the local boatmen that, although uncertain of the tides and regardless of the obvious dangers 24 intrepid adventurers set off in a lugger with Captain Martin who was well acquainted with the Sands to begin this dangerous institution.
In 1852 James Hogben had been Coxswain of the Ramsgate Lifeboat “Northumberland” for nine years. On New Years Day 1861 an event at sea of considerable loss of life occurred with the wreck of the ‘Guttenburg’.
In 1859 Jerimiah Walker (having previously distinguished himself by his ‘humane, zealous and successful efforts in rescuing the Master and the crew of the ‘
Because of its proximity to mainland Europe, Ramsgate was a chief embarkation point both for the Dunkirk evacuation and during the
Ramsgate was the original location of the pressure group Critical Mass, which began its days fighting the regime of premier Margaret Thatcher. Critical Mass was founded in 1984 as a result of regulations that prevented local inhabitants out of work from living in the then numerous empty hotels desperate for trade. The BBC made a documentary about these event, which was named Red Herrings, and broadcast on BBC2 in 1985.