The Harbour

The Portland Harbour mercantile marine statistics for 1903 are as follows :

The number of vessels which entered Weymouth Harbour in 1903 was:

The Breakwater

When the necessity of forming harbours of refuge on our coast became apparent the natural advantages of Portland Roads were early pointed out to the commissioners and the construction of such a work was eventually decided on. To effect the object in view it was determined to erect a breakwater from the north east extremity of the island running in a northerly direction towards the opposite shore of the bay between Weymouth and St. Alban's Head. The work was commenced in 1849 and on July 25th, H.R.H. Prince Albert laid the foundation stone. Current coins of the realm were deposited in the stone, and were covered with a plate, bearing the following inscription ; " On the 25th day of July, A.D. 1849, in the, 12th year of the reign Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, H.R.H. Prince Albert, K.G., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., deposited this stone to record the commencement of the Portland Breakwater. James Meadows Rendel, engineer-in-chief John Coode, resident. engineer." The first portion of the breakwater was completed in 1868. Its total length was 2,500 yards. On the outer end there is a strong case-mated fort.. The. second portion of the breakwater, that, running from the Fort to Bincleaves, was commenced in 1894. It is over two miles long. To take the place of the red harbour light at. the top of the Breakwater Fort a lighthouse has (1905) been erected on the other side of the outer entrance to the harbour. Between 1895 and 1902 �465,012 was spent by the Government on the Portland Harbour Works.

Lloyd's established 1692 for the collection and distribution of shipping intelligence. Agents in every port watch every line of sea coast in the world. Agent for Portland and Weymouth and the coast line extending from St. Alban's Head to Burton Hive, near Bridport:-

William Butt, appointed 1888

Office, Custom's House Quay

Mr Butt's predecessors were:

Mr C.F. Arden

Mr George Arden (who was Major of Weymouth) and

Mr Weston

Sub-commissioners Of Pilotage: Weymouth and District, (St. Alban's Head to Lyme Regis):

Capt. H. W. Hemmings ; Mr R. Blackford, and Mr Percy Boyle.

Portland Pilots and Their Boats and Crews - 1905

"Sprit":- Thomas Bennett, John Bennett, Wm. Tizard
"Fox":- J. Way, Rd. Wilkins Rd. Wills
"Willing":- Stephen Male, W. Hounsell and Tizard

The Training Ships - Portland - 1905 and Senior Officers

HMS BOSCAWEN (1,579 tons)

Captain James de Courcy Hamilton
Commander Frank C. Grover
Lieut. Wm. H. Grieve, and David C. H. Grieve
Fleet Surgeon, Wm. Spry
Staff Paymaster Edward H. Eldred
Paymasters, Frank Lenn and Leonard Harris
Surgeon R. S. Osborne

HMS BOSCAWEN II (late Minotaur) 10,600 tons

Commander Edmund M. C. Cooper Key
Lieuts. Burrard;  A. Smith and Henry M. Fothergill
Engineer Commander, John A. Murray
Engineer Edmund Wray
Chaplain, Rev Wm. B. Atherston B.A.
Fleet Surgeon, John W. Slaughter, M. B. B. A.
Chief Art. Engineer, Frank Davies

HMS BOSCAWEN III (late Agincourt) 10,600 tons

Commander Lawrence E. Power
Lieut. George P. Leith
Engineer Lieut. John P. Gundry
Chaplain, Rev Arthur C. Moreton, MA
Fleet Surgeon Walter Bowden D.S.O.
Chief Art. Engineer, James J. Outrim

HMS SAPPHIRE - Seagoing

Flag Ship of Admiral Alfred Leigh Winsloe C.V.O. C.M.G. 
Commander S. Lambert
Lieuts. Thomas D. Armstrong C.S.C. and John White
Engineer Lieuts., Edward Chisman and Frank A. Butler
Paymaster, Henry G. Ley
Surgeon John R. Raymond

HMS SAPPHIRE II 

Commander Noel Grant
Lieut. Jos. Man
Engineer Lieut. Walter Edwards
Fleet Paymaster Samuel R. Warne
Paymaster John P. Annersley 
Assistant Paymaster Knighton H. Arnold

Portland Harbour And Breakwater

Resident Officers

King's Harbour Master: Captain H. B. Anson R.N.
Boatswain: Mr Thomas J. McDonald
Works Department :
Superintendent Civil Engineer: C Millard Esq.
Civil Engineer: W. Young, Esq.
Accountant: R. D. Davis, Esg.
Engineer-in-charge Coaling Depot: J. B. Huddy Esq.
Royal Naval Sick Quart Quarters: Fleet Surgeon Edmund Corcoran,  Staff Surgeon, Richard A. Ross, MB

Portland Coastguard

Coastguard (Weymouth):

Inspecting Officer Commander G. E. Bairnsfather
Chief Officer Portland Station, John Cahill.
Chief officer, Portland Bill, John Donovan

Southern Sea Fisheries District Committee

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