Dover Industries Ltd - Scrapyard, Eastern Docks
The following article was written by Alfred Jackson Brigham.
I am unsure when a scrapyard was first established at the Eastern Docks, Dover, but certainly by around 1915. It was then owned by Wilfred Shirvell of Guernsey until 1926, when it became A O Hill Ltd. In 1931, under the directorship of Mr E P Hills, it was known as Dover Industries Ltd. Finally in 1964, Dover Harbour Board required the land to develop the car ferry terminal and the business ceased.
The main business was the dismantling of ships, machinery and large plant. By 1926 there were 800 men employed there and the yard occupied almost all of the Eastern Docks. Many of the ships were naval ships from First World War. This included HMS Glatton, which in 1918 was moored in the Harbour. A fierce fire broke out, threatening the after magazines (forward magazines had been flooded). If the ship was to blow up, the whole Fleet and parts of Dover would have been affected, and therefore it was decided to sink the vessel by torpedo!!! This was done with, unfortunately, some loss of life.
Other ships included:
Built by Wm. Gray, and launched on 5 December 1918, War Sepoy was completed on 6 February 1919 for Shipping Controller, and managed by Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Co, London. In 1921 she was transferred to Admiralty, and in 1936 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. War Sepoy was damaged and burnt out during an air attack at Dover on 19 July 1940. She was filled with concrete, towed into position within the western entrance, and sunk as a blockship on 7 September 1940. Disposal commenced on 2 May 1950, and the entrance was opened again on 26 April 1964.
In 1927 A O Hill Ltd were responsible for dismantling Dover Promenade & Pier. The Pier was opened in 1893, offering proper promenade facilities and summer concerts. During WW1, the Navy took it over as a Landing Stage.
Kent Coalmines were also visited and machinery (underground as well as above ground) was dismantled. After the Second World War, Anti Aircraft Guns at Dover, Lydd, and Sheerness were dismantled.
The scrap produced was sent to N.E.Coast, Scotland, and Port Talbot in S Wales (for the large Steelworks). Some was also exported. In the early years the scrap was taken by train (steam!!) along the seafront to be shipped from the Western Docks. Over the years, the yard was forced to shrink as the Car Ferry business increased. However they diversified into ship repairs and they created a foundry producing brass boat fittings (Lurline Boat Fittings). Their public weighbridge was used by many, including Banana Boats from the West Indies. When forced to close in 1964, there were some 30 people employed. This business had successfully recycled scrap from ships and from all over Kent for over 60 years.
My Grandfather, Alfred Jackson Brigham, joined the business in 1920. Having left the Royal Navy, he then helped to break up their ships!!!. He rose to become Foreman before his early death in 1928. He was also Dover’s representative for the Royal Navy Reserve Association. My father, Alfred Gordon Brigham, had to leave school at 15 to earn the family crust. He was taken on as office clerk, and rose very quickly to become Managing Director.
In 1950 there was a troop carrier being dismantled. A lot of hardwood found its way into our new house, and I don’t think you would find a heavier attic floor!!!. In 1964 a Finnish ship arrived, and the crew had left many bottles of wine and also tins of condensed milk (who remembers condensed milk sandwiches!!). Scrap also provided us children with a large roundabout!! I, and my brothers in succession, would work in the office, mainly on the weighbridge, during our holidays (those bananas were a handy snack!!). Others I remember were Mr E.P.Hill (Director) and his son. Also Ron Partridge (in the office), Tommy Knight (diver), Tom Beer (scrap merchant of Barham), George Potter (hauliers).
Today of course this whole area is a giant Car Ferry Terminal, with no sign of its former life (there was also an adjacent factory - Parker Pens).
I am unsure when a scrapyard was first established at the Eastern Docks, Dover, but certainly by around 1915. It was then owned by Wilfred Shirvell of Guernsey until 1926, when it became A O Hill Ltd. In 1931, under the directorship of Mr E P Hills, it was known as Dover Industries Ltd. Finally in 1964, Dover Harbour Board required the land to develop the car ferry terminal and the business ceased.
The main business was the dismantling of ships, machinery and large plant. By 1926 there were 800 men employed there and the yard occupied almost all of the Eastern Docks. Many of the ships were naval ships from First World War. This included HMS Glatton, which in 1918 was moored in the Harbour. A fierce fire broke out, threatening the after magazines (forward magazines had been flooded). If the ship was to blow up, the whole Fleet and parts of Dover would have been affected, and therefore it was decided to sink the vessel by torpedo!!! This was done with, unfortunately, some loss of life.
Other ships included:
- HMS Colne - 4 November 1919
- HMS H 12 Submarine - April 1922 - Submarine
- HMS Indomitable - 30 August 1922
- HMS Pomone - 25 October 1922
- HMS Temeraire - 1 December 1921
- HMS Superb - 12 December 1922
- HMTB No. 87 - 27 March 1920 - Torpedo Boat
- HMPMS Lingfield - May 1923 - Paddle Minesweeper
- HMS Swiftsure - 18 June 1920
- HMS Duncan - 18 February 1920
- HMS Vengeance - 9 January 1923
- HMS St Vincent - 1 December 1921
- HMS Codrington - 1920s
- HMS Victorious - April 1923
- Empire Longford - 18 January 1953
- War Sepoy - Tanker
Built by Wm. Gray, and launched on 5 December 1918, War Sepoy was completed on 6 February 1919 for Shipping Controller, and managed by Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Co, London. In 1921 she was transferred to Admiralty, and in 1936 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. War Sepoy was damaged and burnt out during an air attack at Dover on 19 July 1940. She was filled with concrete, towed into position within the western entrance, and sunk as a blockship on 7 September 1940. Disposal commenced on 2 May 1950, and the entrance was opened again on 26 April 1964.
In 1927 A O Hill Ltd were responsible for dismantling Dover Promenade & Pier. The Pier was opened in 1893, offering proper promenade facilities and summer concerts. During WW1, the Navy took it over as a Landing Stage.
Kent Coalmines were also visited and machinery (underground as well as above ground) was dismantled. After the Second World War, Anti Aircraft Guns at Dover, Lydd, and Sheerness were dismantled.
The scrap produced was sent to N.E.Coast, Scotland, and Port Talbot in S Wales (for the large Steelworks). Some was also exported. In the early years the scrap was taken by train (steam!!) along the seafront to be shipped from the Western Docks. Over the years, the yard was forced to shrink as the Car Ferry business increased. However they diversified into ship repairs and they created a foundry producing brass boat fittings (Lurline Boat Fittings). Their public weighbridge was used by many, including Banana Boats from the West Indies. When forced to close in 1964, there were some 30 people employed. This business had successfully recycled scrap from ships and from all over Kent for over 60 years.
My Grandfather, Alfred Jackson Brigham, joined the business in 1920. Having left the Royal Navy, he then helped to break up their ships!!!. He rose to become Foreman before his early death in 1928. He was also Dover’s representative for the Royal Navy Reserve Association. My father, Alfred Gordon Brigham, had to leave school at 15 to earn the family crust. He was taken on as office clerk, and rose very quickly to become Managing Director.
In 1950 there was a troop carrier being dismantled. A lot of hardwood found its way into our new house, and I don’t think you would find a heavier attic floor!!!. In 1964 a Finnish ship arrived, and the crew had left many bottles of wine and also tins of condensed milk (who remembers condensed milk sandwiches!!). Scrap also provided us children with a large roundabout!! I, and my brothers in succession, would work in the office, mainly on the weighbridge, during our holidays (those bananas were a handy snack!!). Others I remember were Mr E.P.Hill (Director) and his son. Also Ron Partridge (in the office), Tommy Knight (diver), Tom Beer (scrap merchant of Barham), George Potter (hauliers).
Today of course this whole area is a giant Car Ferry Terminal, with no sign of its former life (there was also an adjacent factory - Parker Pens).
