Celebrating Appledore's Shipping Heritage (CASH)

CASH is a community based organisation formed to protect and remember Appledore's unique shipping heritage. This charitable body has a particular interest in preserving Richmond Dock- a Grade 2* listed structure of extreme local and even national importance.

The Dock is strategically situated in the heart of Appledore and once formed the heartbeat of the village. It was once at the centre of a thriving shipbuilding industry. Sadly, that industry is in decline but it is still important to remember the unique maritime history that Appledore has to offer.

CASH was formed partly as a response to a recent planning application to build houses on the listed Richmond Dock site. There was strong local opposition to these plans and they have been temporarily withdrawn. Still, there is much work to be done if we are to preserve this unique site in some meaningful way.


A Brief History

Appledore is situated at the mouth of the River Torridge at the point where it meets the Taw. It?s function has always been bound up with its maritime situation, and it continues as a fishing port to this day. It has also long served as a centre for shipbuilding and repairing. In the mediaeval and early modern periods this would have been carried out on the foreshore as was usual at that time, but by the 19th Century purpose built shipyards were coming in to use.

Richmond Dock was built in 1856 and was said to have been the largest dry dock in all the Bristol Channel ports at that time. By the early nineteenth century much of the timber for shipbuilding in Britain was being imported from North America, the traditional supply from the Baltic Ports being interrupted by the Napoleonic Wars. Appledore was excellently sited to use the North American trade economically, but the business became more sophisticated when ships were rough built on Prince Edward Island and sailed over to Appledore for finishing.

Richmond Dock was constructed for this particular business, and prospered. It?s exceptional importance in the history of North Devon shipbuilding has been recognised by it?s designated Grade 2* listed status. Richmond shipyard took it?s name from the North American focus of the Yeo Family?s trade- Richmond Bay on Prince Edward Island in Canada (visit the Yeo Society website for more information about the Yeo Family).

If you can offer advice or would like to help in any way then please contact Simon Mugglestone on 07770 982290