Thanks to generous support from Dorset Archives Trust and a grant from the Friends of the National Libraries, Dorset History Centre (DHC) was recently able to purchase some fascinating records and photographs relating to the naval and maritime history of Portland (reference D-3155). Within the material is a series of photographs, some of them in the form of original glass plate negatives showing the very busy naval harbour and its range of installations.
Perhaps the most interesting items within this archival collection, are the original specification and pricing for the Portland breakwater extension, dated 1897. The original breakwater, a project encouraged and supported personally by Prince Albert was officially unveiled in 1872, having taken around six million tonnes of rock and 23 years to complete. The breakwater extension was required in part to protect the base against the perceived growing risk of torpedo attack. With the construction of the breakwaters, Portland harbour became for a time the world’s largest man-made facility of its kind. It was a massive undertaking in terms of civil engineering and stands today as testament to the determination of its Victorian designers as robust defence against both the sea and foreign naval aggression.
The recently purchased volume provides a detailed breakdown of materials and labour, with the total price quoted for the breakwater as £507,199. By contrast, according to the schedule of rates for employment on the project, a skilled labourer was paid the sum of 7d per hour.
An official diary which was purchased as part of this collection relates daily events during construction. Weather conditions are recorded, along with the number of men involved in construction. For example, on 24 March 1902, during ‘rough weather’, 718 men were at work and 868 tonnes of stone was moved into place. The diary also records such things as injuries sustained by workers in the course the construction in what must have been a very challenging and dangerous environment.
Overall, this material provides a fascinating insight into the vital role that Portland once played in the country’s southern naval defences and provides detailed evidence of the gargantuan cost and effort in building one of the county’s most visible maritime features.