Woolwich Dockyard
The Woolwich Dockyard was an English naval dockyard, which was established in 1512 by Henry VIII along with the Deptford Naval Shipyard for the construction of the flagship Henry Grace à Dieu.
At the beginning of the 16th century, London was a center of royal and ecclesiastical power. Henry VIII Advanced London's importance nor by the establishment of the Royal Dockyard, Woolwich and Deptford, on the south bank of the Thames, to have them close to the Tower of London. This London connections with the sea and the just emerging at the Royal Navy have been strengthened.
History
The two shipyards quickly developed into a center of economic life, which also strengthened the surrounding communities economically. Elizabeth I received the navy yard and extended these. For example, a rope factory was established in 1553. Since the English maritime activities, yet increased in the 17th and 18th centuries, ships in the Woolwich Dockyard were still built.
Through technological improvements and by the increasing size of ships some shortcomings of the Woolwich Dockyard were compensated. In the 18th century other shipyards were already set up next to Woolwich and Deptford in Plymouth, Portsmouth, Chatham and later in Sheerness. These yards were right by the sea and were therefore more strategically, which has been a tremendous benefit to the fleet, especially in times of war.
In addition, it became increasingly difficult the Woolwich Dockyard to run for larger vessels due to the insufficient depth of the Thames. Nevertheless, the Woolwich Dockyard with its port facilities, warehouses and reception capacities was still an important part of the Royal Navy. Especially during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars many ships called at the Woolwich Dockyard.
The end of the Woolwich Dockyard
The Royal Navy only small steam-powered ships at Woolwich in 1830 decided to build. Finally, the construction of smaller vessels was outsourced to Chatham. Some machines Woolwich Dockyard were also brought there.
When the Woolwich Dockyard was closed in 1869, the local population took a series of layoffs. The plight of the people was so great that a relief fund has been set for a new life in Canada. However, there was private shipbuilders, so that the shipbuilding on the Thames not completely ground to a halt.