CHARNEY HALL Red Herring

A little bit of a red herring but a short post about what was going on along the coast at Barrow-in-Furness around the time of the construction of Charney Hall main building, the majority of which remained virtually unchanged until its demolition in 1973.


Interpretation panels at The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness

At the turn of the century Barrow’s ship building was in its prime. It was industrial production on a massive scale - work for men not boys! 

Launched in 1899 ‘Vengeance’ was the first battleship to be built for the Royal Navy in Barrow. Every part of the vessel, including the fitting out and armament was carried out in the town. 

Every schoolboy must have been aware of the existence of one of the country’s largest shipbuilding yards as it was front page news. 

Apologies for the reflections and the feet!

‘The vessel, which was christened by Mrs Vickers, left the … in magnificent style to the strains of Rule Britannia’
An interesting twist in the tail relates to the commissioning of HMS Erin, originally ordered by Turkey, she was confiscated by the British Government before delivery!

HMS Vengeance


HMS Vengeance at launch 1899




HMS Erin


The stern of HMS Vengeance

An intriguing detail at the stern of both battleships is the cantilevered balcony complete with metal canopy in the style of the decorative 1st floor balconies of the Regency terraced houses of Cheltenham and Bristol. Perhaps these were provided for the officer’s quarters for entertaining dignitaries when visiting far flung countries in times of peace.…

Painstaking modelling detail all to scale





The ship models were made in Vicker’s joinery shop by a small band of selected ‘cabinet makers’. I use this word intentionally because the level of attention to detail is astounding. Built to scale and looking very impressive I guess that they were used as a means of confirming the specification and consolidating the contract for a very complex vessel of war.

HMS Vengeance and Erin are berthed proudly alongside each other in their glass display cases over the dry dock

Imagine this Vickers Japanese commissioned ship of war steaming towards you at 28knots!

Credits/References:

The Dock Museum, North Road, Barrow-in- Furness, LA14 2PW  Tel: 01229 876400
dockmuseum@barrowbc.gov.uk.  Free Entry and well worth a visit!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Vengeance_(1899)














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