Today, it’s hard to believe that Rye once had an important shipbuilding industry, but in the middle of the nineteenth century it was thriving, in common with those of ports around south east England. Indeed to some, Rye seemed more engaged in shipbuilding than in business with its own agricultural hinterland.
One of the best-known ships built in Rye was the 98-ton Marion Zagury launched in 1853 for the African and Mediterranean fruit trade. She was built by Hessell & Holmes, who had earlier built another fruit trader the Anderida. Another shipyard was G & T Smith that built trawlers for Lowestoft and Yarmouth. The shipyard of Hoad Brothers launched in 1853 the brigs Lord Dacre and Topsy. A lesser shipbuilder was Mills & Son.
Perhaps the best-known vessel built in Rye was the 83-ton topsail schooner Madeira Pet, launched in 1850 by Hessell & Holmes for the Azores orange trade. Nevertheless, in 1857 she carried a cargo of 240 tons of cutlery, earthenware, paints, glassware and china from Liverpool to Chicago, then a city of about 60,000 people. She was the first European trader ever to reach Chicago and was given a massive welcome.
In July 1849 there was a friendly cricket match on the Salts between workers of the competing yards of Hessell & Holmes and Hoad Brothers – with a supper to follow at the Hope & Anchor Inn.
Image Credits: Aleshular and Florence , H P Clark of Rye. .
I have a trunk that belonged to the Captain of the Marion Zagury, and it has The Royal Navy Seal on the top of it. What can you tell me about it, and the ship?