Business Flourishes in the 1700s
The merchants and businessmen of Cork became very rich during the 1700s.
Fleets of ships used Cork harbour for shelter during wartime, and these ships stocked up on supplies while they were there.
Cork Harbour in 1840
Cork Harbour has been a place of trade and travelling for centuries. It is one of the largest natural harbours in the world, with its unusual Great Island situated in the midst of the harbour. The harbour has seen many ships come and go including the Viking tall ships, the royal navies, cruise liners including the Titanic and the Lusitania, and many more. Cork harbour became widely known as a place of refuge and refuelling in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th centuries, and early 19th centuries. It was also from Cork Harbour that emigrants left for a new life in America aboard the ‘coffin ships’ and convicts were transported to their life of exile in Australia, in the mid 19th century. Cork Harbour has been an important port of the Royal Navy before Ireland’s independence, making Cork a great stronghold for the British Government in Ireland. Trade with other European cities was very popular in Cork Harbour especially trade with France, and butter became a huge export from Ireland across Europe from this town.
Cork Harbour in 1840
Cork Harbour in 1840
Cork Harbour has been a place of trade and travelling for centuries. It is one of the largest natural harbours in the world, with its unusual Great Island situated in the midst of the harbour. The harbour has seen many ships come and go including the Viking tall ships, the royal navies, cruise liners including the Titanic and the Lusitania, and many more. Cork harbour became widely known as a place of refuge and refuelling in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars of the late 18th centuries, and early 19th centuries. It was also from Cork Harbour that emigrants left for a new life in America aboard the ‘coffin ships’ and convicts were transported to their life of exile in Australia, in the mid 19th century. Cork Harbour has been an important port of the Royal Navy before Ireland’s independence, making Cork a great stronghold for the British Government in Ireland. Trade with other European cities was very popular in Cork Harbour especially trade with France, and butter became a huge export from Ireland across Europe from this town.
Merchants made fortunes in brewing, distilling and selling food, drink, ropes and sailcloth to the British Navy.
The image shown here is an illustration of a ship in Cork harbour around 1840.The previous one hundred years would have witnessed hundreds of such ships entering Cork harbour for trade and military purposes.
Interesting Facts
Below are some interesting facts from this period:
Interesting Facts
Which supplies do you think a ship in the 1700s could have bought in Cork?
You have to help Captain McCurtain load his ship with supplies. Drag your chosen items into the ship's hold, but choose carefully, he does not take kindly to foolish crew! (Hint: use the information above to help you choose what to load onto to the ship).
Help Captain McCurtain Load His Ship
Help Captain McCurtain Load His Ship