Lymington Directory June july 19

FOLLOWING THE LYMINGTON BLUE PLAQUES TRAIL
4
Ray Mayes follows the Lymington Blue Plaques
Trail and focuses on Plaque Number 4 at 42
High Street (south side). This month Ray reveals
the story of Admiral Arthur Phillip and a Boldre
curate in the founding of modern Australia.
4. Chance Shoes
42 High Street
Today there is little to indicate that the 19 th
century red brick block at 40-42 High Street on
the corner of Ashley Lane represents
Lymington’s historical connection with
Australia.
In a 17 th century cottage on this site between
1798-1804 lived Admiral Arthur Phillip RN. In
1787, Admiral Phillip had sailed from the Solent
with the First Fleet. This comprised 11 ships
conveying settlers and convicts to the proposed
British penal colony that subsequently became
Sydney. Phillip became the first Governor of
New South Wales and is considered the founder
of modern Australia.
The cottages were demolished in 1842.
In his time in Lymington, Philip was in charge of
the British Sea Fencibles (naval militia) and the
Pressgang service during the French Wars.
Following the American War of Independence
and the loss of the American Colonies in 1783,
overcrowding of convicts incarcerated in prison
hulks (old ships that were not sea worthy)
steadily became critical, and consequently
transportation overseas avoiding the death
penalty was re-directed to the new proposed
settlement and agricultural colony at Botany
Bay.
The First Fleet sailed from the Solent on 13 May
1787 carrying some 800 male and female
convicts and 700 mariners and officials. By 26
January 1788, Phillip had raised the British flag
at ‘’the finest harbour in the world” at Port
Jackson and Sydney Cove. After a much longer
journey than sailing to America, only 31 people
had died on the voyage (rather than 150
expected to die travelling to America) .
The anniversary of 26 January is now
commemorated as Australia Day.
George III appointed Phillip as Governor of the
new colony, responsible for convict
management and also the provision of food and
shelter, so essential for the colony to survive.
Religion played an important role in the control
of social order and evangelical matters. Rev.
Richard Johnson had been ordained at Christ
Church Oxford in October 1784 during his year
as curate to William Gilpin at Boldre and was
commissioned as Chaplain to the First Fleet in
October 1786. Johnson was responsible for the
colony’s pastoral care, supporting convicts with
the promotion of Christian principles. A stone
church was built and a schoolroom on lines
similar to Boldre school rules.
Arthur Phillip returned to England by May 1793
but was prevented from returning to Sydney by
continuing ill health. He re-married and held
several commands until 1797.
In Lymington, Philip was in charge of the British
Sea Fencibles. The Sea
Fencibles were shorebased
fishermen
trained to protect the
coastline against
possible invasion. In
1803 responsibility for
the Impress Service
was added, supplying
manpower for the
navy ships.
The former Harlequin
Inn (or Pressgang
cottage) in Bath Road
is reputed to be where
the press gangs waited
for ships to come in, strolling the quay ready to
“persuade” or impress returning sailors back
into service.
In 1805 Philip retired and joined his wife in
Bath. He died on 31 August 1814. Rev. Richard
Johnson returned to England in 1801 and died
1827.
The Lymington Blue Plaques Trail
The Lymington Blue Plaques Trail comprises 13 blue
plaques established since 1998 by the Rotary Club of
Lymington at sites of historical interest, highlighting
important facts about buildings and people. To
promote the plaques, the Rotary Club has produced a
leaflet describing the Trail. The full trail leaflet is
available from the St. Barbe Museum and Art Gallery.
To advertise email: info@lymingtondirectory.co.uk, or call 01590 643969 / 07801 562358