rwintroduction

This Internet Site has been derived from the book the Centenary Story of the Whitehead Torpedo and Engineering Works, Ferrybridge, Wyke Regis. It is virtually a faithful reproduction of the text but many of the photographs have been excluded, either through lack of space or because they are no longer readily available. Some additional information has been included on the internet site concerning the fate of the factory since the book was written in 1991.

Copyright 1991 D. F. Hollings, 36, Westhill Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset. Tel: (0305) 774752. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

On the llth of April 1891 the foundation stone of the Whitehead Torpedo Factory was laid down at Ferrybridge, Wyke Regis, and ever since then the Works has had a major impact on the economy and environment of the village. It is therefore appropriate that a short history of the Engineering Works should be written in this, its Centenary year.

I have to admit that the history is not as short as I originally anticipated, for I quickly discovered that a great many local people had a tale to tell about their connections with Whiteheads, or Vickers, or Wellworthy or AE Piston Products. And many people readily made available to me their own personal family photographs. Unfortunately space did not permit all of them to be included.

This book attempts to put on record a very important part of Wyke's history, before those that are old enough to remember some of the events have forgotten them - or are no longer with us. Being concerned with local history, the emphasis is on people and personalities as much as it is on the various engineering phases that the Works has gone through - firstly torpedoes, then hydraulic machinery, and the present specialised components for the automotive industry.

I believe there are lessons that can be learnt from the way the Factory's fortunes have fluctuated over the years, and from the way that the Management and Workers, despite their sometimes different objectives, have managed to keep things going when faced with great difficnlties - most notably xn the periods after the two World Wars.

Let us hope that they can continue to work together, and the factory can remain competitive in an increasingly hostile commercial climate - thus helping to ensure the future prosperity of Wyke Regis.

The compilation of this book required the assistance of many people who, over the years, have been associated with the Engineering Works at Ferrybridge. My grateful thanks go to the following: Clarrie Paul, Charlie Bilke, Peter Lush, Pat and Harry Tarrier, Mrs Gillespie, Gordon Rogers, Harry Briggs, Monica Perren, Joe Townsend, Paul Webb and Pat Henshaw, Jim Stevens, Len Brunger, Ernie King, M. Keegan, Brian Prowse, Ron Taylor, Charlie Mullins, Dick Bellingham, Ray Bassett, Reg Marsh, Mrs. Colebrooke, Brian Prowse, Ron Hepburn, Ernie Rudall, Tony Sargent, John Hampson, Norman Morris, Bob King, Alan Greening, Moggy and Betty Moore, Alan Gough, Jack Hankin, Stuart Morris, and Bill Macey. Weymouth Library records also proved a valuable source of initial information, whilst Mike Northcott-Deacon gave freely of his time to provid an accurate and understanding proof reading service.

Particular thanks must however, go to a few individuals such as Fred Pritchard, Dick Abbott, Ernie Dingley, Dennis Horsley, Sam Dunn, and Ted Pearce, who so generously gave of their time, and provided much of the detail and photographs.

Unquestioning and generous support was also immediately given by Alan Turner and his office staff on behalf of AE Piston Products, and by the Committee of the Wellworthy Sports and Social Club.

I am conscious that there must be many individuals who played a significant role in the life of the Works, but who have not been mentioned individually in this short history. To those I can only apologise, and ask for their understanding.

Finally, I must give special recognition and thanks to Norman Byden, whose enthusiasm for seeking out historical facts and photographs from past employees ensured that I was kept on my toes until this book was complete.

Dates	Events
1860's	Invention of Torpedo by Robert Whitehead, at Fume, Austria.
1891	First Torpedo Factory built at Ferrybridge, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.
1905	Whitehead businesses at Fume and Ferrybridge become incorporated under Hungarian Law
1907	Vickers and Armstrong-Whitworth secure joint control of Whitehead's businesses.
1907	Weymouth Works incorporated as separate Company under English Law
1914	Factory taken over by British Admiralty for duration of First World War
1921	Whitehead Torpedo Works, (Ferrybridge) liquidated.
1923	Weymouth (Ferrybridge) Works reopened as the Whitehead Torpedo Company, Limited.
1928	Majority of shares in the Whitehead Torpedo Works, Weymouth, acquired by newly formed Vickers-Armstrong Company
1931	Remaining Whitehead family shares acquired by V-A
1931	Downclose fields acquired as Sports Ground
1 ~34	Large investment in new machinery initiated at Ferrybridge
1941	Air Raid bombs damage the Factory; dispersal of works to Street and Bournemouth; duplicate Factory built at Staines
1942	Whitehead, Weymouth ceased as a separate Company and the factory became V-A, Whitehead Torpedo Works.
1958	Variable Speed Gear Department at Elswick, Newcastle transferred to Weymouth
1966	Vickers transfer work to South Marsden Works near Swindon, and sell Ferrybridge Works to Wellworthy
1968	The Whitehead Pier in Portland Harbour is dismantled
1981	Housing development announced on Sports Ground at Downclose.
1983	Sale of Social Club and Bowling Green to Workers Committee
1987	New Sports and Social Club opened
1990	Works now called AE Piston Products
1991	Centenary of the Ferrybridge Torpedo and Engineering Works.
1994	Works closed.
1997	Site sold for housing development
1998	Works demolished and foundation stone discovered. Harbour Point Housing development built.