Whitehaven History
A settlement was first established here in the 10th century but the town didn’t grow until the Lowther family acquired the nearby estate in 1630 and four years later built a stone pier where ships could unload cargo.
Whitehaven has numerous examples of Georgian architecture and was one of the first post-mediaeval planned towns in the country; some historians believe its grid system to be the blueprint for New York City. Its wealth was built on coal, steel and trade. In 1730 Whitehaven had the deepest coal mines in the world, some running under the sea. Its merchants traded worldwide but in particular specialised in importing large quantities of tobacco from Virginia and Maryland in exchange for manufactured goods. “The Rum Story” tells the tale of the lucrative and nefarious trade with the West Indies which involved the transportation of sugar, spirits and slaves.
John Paul Jones - Over 1000 ships were built in the port of Whitehaven and it was such an important merchant centre that in 1778 John Paul Jones (the founder of the American navy) attacked Whitehaven at night attempting to scuttle the English merchant fleet. Three of the original cannons used to repel the attack can be seen on the West Strand complete with a bronze sculpture of a sailor “spiking” the touchhole. The attack, as part of the American War of Independence, was driven off but it is the first and last time that America has attacked Great Britain and the last time that the British mainland has been invaded by a foreign power.
The American connection continues as George Washington’s grandmother, Mildred Gale, is buried in the churchyard in Whitehaven and the town was a major trading port with America throughout much of its history.
Whitehaven Harbour
The town’s fortunes waned rapidly as larger ports such as Bristol and Liverpool became popular but underwent a resurgence in the 19th century when it was found that haematite (mined locally) could be added to iron to improve steel production. When this process evolved yet again, Whitehaven’s importance diminished.
In later years the Harbour has been rejuvenated at a cost of £18million creating the wonderful Marina and modern harbour facilities we see today.
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