Woolwich Dockyard

1514 - Henry Grace a Dieu completed – Henry VIII flagship. 1608 - construction began on the Prince Royal, against much opposition. 1636 - Work began on the Sovereign of the Seas under Phineas Pett. 1658 - Royal James built by Christopher Pett. 1739 - carpenters and joiners went on strike over the threatened abolition of ‘right of chips’. 1758 - shipwrights set up a cornmill. 1799 - a large fire destroyed the 50 gun, fourth rate, Grampus, moored in mid-river. 1814 - Nelson launched. 1827 - the Echo, the first steamer built at the yard, launched. 1843 - the Woolwich Steam Factory opened, the first time steam engines were constructed at a dockyard. 1862 - Caledonia launched. 1866 - the iron-clad Repulse launched. 1869 - dockyard closed.