Philip & Son Ltd., Shipbuilders & Engineers by Derek Blackhurst

Derek Blackhurst is well known to members of this Society and for many years took a leading role with the World Ship Society. He was invited by Philip and Son to write the company's history and was given unrestricted access to the company records. Regrettably the records were not in good physical condition with many rat-eaten and mouldy. The result of his labour is a detailed account of the last working shipyard in South Devon.

The story of this Dartmouth shipbuilder spans two complete centuries from 1800 when the Sandquay shipyard was opened by Sir John Searle. Following the author's introductory remarks there is a most useful chronology of the history of Philip & Son, which allows the reader both an overview of the story before reading the text and a ready guide to the key dates. The written history is contained within the first third of the book and is followed by almost 100 pages listing in some detail the ships and craft built, each with a short account of...

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Associated topics

Philip & Son Ltd., Shipbuilders & Engineers by Derek Blackhu Bob Wilson 03/07/2010
..The Dwyn Wen, built Philip and Son 1906 James Leitten 02/08/2010
....In Seychelles Anne 07/06/2008
......Dwyn Wen in the Seychelles Mick 14/08/2010
..Philip 43 sailboats Woodie Watkinson 24/05/2010
..Pathfinder, built Dartmouth 1954 shaun wisenden 22/08/2007
....trinity house vessel "Pathfinder" tony burton 22/08/2007
..Yacht Senorita Philip & Son Shaun Welland 07/08/2007
....Zarefah Mike Moseley (UK) 07/08/2007
..Landak built 1951, lost 1957 David Howden 09/04/2007
..phillipa 28.. dan 03/04/2007

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Previous comments

Alfred Goodson
3/7/2010

I have found Lady May, the Yacht built by Philip and Son....She is in the Med and is owned and has been restored by the Owner of Diesel Clothing an Italian. (Diesel Jeans) alfredgoodson@btinternet.com

Alfred Goodson
3/7/2010

I have found Lady May, the Yacht built by Philip and Son....She is in the Med and is owned and has been restored by the Owner of Diesel Clothing an Italian. (Diesel Jeans)

Alan Tallett
22/8/2009

does any one one have information on HSL3963 built in 1939 by phillip and sons
thanks
lilfatchef@fsmail.net

Dave Hills Webmaster
8/12/2008

Hello Yannick,
This book is now being published by Ian Allan Publishing, their website is
www.ianallanpublishing.com

If you put Philip & Son into their search box you will find full ordering details.

yannick Boue
8/12/2008

hello
I would like order one of your books "Philip and Son Shipbuilders and engineers " by Derck Blackhurst.Is it possible to order one web,tank you for your answer

Yannick from France .French Riviera

jasper bartlett
19/8/2008

Hello to all interested in this site.

I am related by marriage to the Philip family and Alex, Amelia and Sophie who still live in or remain close to Dartmouth.My side of the family used to supply coal to ships visiting Dartmouth and my side of the family brewed the local beer circa 1880 ! A Bartlett married a Philip in the 1920's.

I live in London now but Amelia Philip visited us in Liverpool in the 1998 . We boarded on one of the ferries on the Mersey at her suggestion and spoke to the Captain because the ferrywas also built at Philip & Son. The Mersey ferries were made legend in a song !

I have a book of photographs of the vessels built by the company and the book includes an amusing letter from an Admiral during World War II who wished to compliment the craftsmen at Philip & Son who build a Navy Corvette for its performance in heavy bombing !

The yard also built many of the light-ships around Britain for Trinity House. Indeed , this connection resulted in a happy union for the Philip family when the daughter of one of its Trustees married Alex Philip in the 1950's. I am sure many sailors on our dangerous coats have been grateful for the light-ships protection over the years.

Unfortunately, the yard fell victim to strong oversees competition in the 1960's/1970's and it became difficult to compete in ship-building. The legacy lives on in the vessles still afloat.

I would welcome any info. from anyone. jasper bartlett - at jasper.bartlett@npnltd.co.uk.

Marcus ogborne
1/8/2008

Hello all, my grandfather worked for philp and son, and still alive today at the age of 78 Geoff ogborne, he was on the marine eletrical side of things. Currently we are working on the site, as due to changes, tehy are pulling down the site and building hotels and houses, it seems a great shame to do this, if anyone would like to contact me on email marcusogborne15@hotmail.com if they would like any info on the site or any images.

alfred goodson
12/6/2007

Scott Gaylard

Contact me on alfredgoodson@tiscali.co.uk

scott gaylard
5/12/2006

I am interested in getting in touch
with Alfred Goodson

Alfred Goodson
13/3/2006

I am looking for a steel Yacht buit by Philip& Son in the 1920's? for my Grandfather Sir Alfred Goodson. She was about 120' motor yacht and was called Lady May. Last I heard she was called (I think) Kovolam and was being chartered in the Med.

claudio tinari.
27/2/2003

Yacht GRACIE III. Yard No. 659.
Renamed ALZAVOLA c. 1970. I think that this may be the yacht that you own.

claudio tinari, rome
29/1/2003

dear sirs,
I will try to find this fascinating book...I own a 1924 vessel built at Philip & son and can't wait to read it.
thanks
ct
any update on philip & son will be welcome !