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75-569: Vice-Admiral James Hosken (6 December 1798 – 2 January 1885) was a British naval officer and a pioneer of ocean steam navigation. He joined the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, and after more than 20 years of service left to join the merchant navy and serve as captain of the steamships SS  Great Western and the SS ; Great Britain . He returned to the Royal Navy to see service during

150-568: A landlocked country, has a civilian high seas fleet of merchant vessels, whose home port is Basel , on the Rhine . The first ships were purchased and operated by the government in order to ensure the supply of critical resources during World War II. After the war, a privately owned merchant fleet emerged, spurred in part by government subsidies that paid for the fleet's operation up until 1953. As of 2006, 26 ships (mostly container carriers) totalling 479,624 tons, operated by five shipping companies, flew

225-404: A captured Spanish ship; two ships in distress in a storm; the visit of Thomas Bowdler ; and her lucky escape after being cut off by the tide. A few years later in the 1820s, a set of four tunnels were hand-carved by Welsh miners to permit access to the beaches by horse-drawn carriage as well as on foot. Previously access was gained by climbing the cliffs, rounding the point by boat, swimming or at

300-531: A commander on HMS  Terpsichore , served under Lord Nelson and was killed at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797) . John Bowen (1780–1827), son of Admiral James Bowen, was a naval officer and colonial administrator. He founded the first settlement of Tasmania at Risdon Cove in 1803 - the settlement that later became known as Hobart . Captain John Bowen married Queen Charlotte's niece. Lieutenant A E Down

375-462: A community economic strategy for the next twenty years published in 2005. The town council working with and North Devon District Council is formulating plans for the town's economic and physical structures. Proposed developments are: the enhancement of the harbour area; A large extension (500 dwellings) to the town on high ground to the south. There is long-term development of the derelict bus station site based on plans developed by Terence O'Rourke; and

450-514: A filtration manufacturer, the European headquarters TDK-Lambda, a subsidiary of the TDK Corporation , which manufactures industrial & medical power supplies. A number of light engineering firms provide additional employment and operate within a couple of miles of the town centre at Mullacott Cross . There are 3 deep-sea fishing boats which sail from the port and several inshore boats which farm

525-563: A fixed red light. The light is presently operated by the harbour authority and the Grade I listed building is owned by the North Devon Council. Regular worship in the chapel ceased at the Reformation , and for a time the building served as a cottage for lighthouse keepers before falling into some dilapidation. It was restored in 1962, however, by the local Rotary Club , under whose auspices

600-503: A library located on the Residential Candar Retirement Development. Ilfracombe has a wide variety of architectural styles dating from the 13th Century to 21st Century. The town has ancient streets leading to the harbour; on higher ground there are Georgian and Regency period terraces and mansions. The period from 1830 to 1900 was a time of great development and has been the subject of several books by J Bates

675-770: A major role in the Battle of the Atlantic bolstering the Allies' merchant fleet due to high losses in the British Merchant Navy. Eventually thousands of Canadians served in the merchant navy aboard hundreds of Canadian merchant ships, notably the " Park Ship ", the Canadian equivalent of the American " Liberty Ship ". A school at St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia , trained Canadian merchant mariners. "Manning pools", merchant navy barracks, were built in Canadian ports. The Greek maritime fleet

750-770: A result they had a common flag. Among these companies were the Muhammadi Steamship Company Limited and the East & West Steamship Company . In the Indo-Pak war of 1971 Pakistan suffered a great loss, and most of Pakistani vessels were left in Bangladesh, because of having Bengali speaking crew on them. On 1 January 1974, President of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto nationalized the National Shipping Corporation and Pakistan Shipping Corporation, and formed

825-584: A runner up for the Turner Prize . There is an annual art festival when local artists open their homes for visitors to see their work and 7 to 10 permanent art galleries. The town's first lifeboat was bought in 1828 but a permanent service was not available until the Royal National Lifeboat Institution built a lifeboat station at the bottom of Lantern Hill near the pier in 1866. The present station at Broad Street dates from 1996. In 1911,

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900-506: A sailing ship was 34 days. Side paddle steamers had brought this down to 17 days, but with experience Hosken brought his average down to 13 days in the sixty-six voyages he made between England and America. In 1844 he was appointed to command of Great Western's SS  Great Britain , the first iron-hulled screw steamship and at that time the largest ship afloat. She sailed from Liverpool for New York on her maiden voyage in August 1845. However, on

975-604: A ship to the fleet that was sent to conquer the Western Isles of Scotland ; 6 ships, with 79 men were sent to support the siege of Calais . Ilfracombe was the last disembarkation point for two large forces sent to subdue the Irish . The building which sits on Lantern Hill by the harbour, known as St Nicholas's Chapel (built 1361) is reputed to be the oldest working lighthouse in the UK; a light/beacon has been there for over 650 years. The town

1050-672: Is according to the annual maritime shipping statistics provided by the British government and the Department for Transport . British shipping is represented nationally and globally by the UK Chamber of Shipping . Canada , like several other Commonwealth nations, created its own merchant navy in a large-scale effort in World War II. Established in 1939, the Canadian Merchant Navy played

1125-410: Is also said to be haunted. Ilfracombe comprised two distinct communities; a farming community around the parish church called Holy Trinity , parts of which date from the 12th century, and a fishing community around the natural harbour formed between Capstone, Compass and Lantern Torrs. It is recorded that the lands by the church were part of the estate owned by Champernowne family , while those by

1200-432: Is the parish church , Holy Trinity , which is the mother church to St Peter's on Highfield Road. Several other churches identify themselves as Evangelical , but differ in denominational background. These include: St Philip and St James Church whose background is Anglican ; three free churches - Brookdale Evangelical Church and Encounter Church, of which the latter is the more charismatic and Ilfracombe Baptist Church of

1275-591: Is today engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience . Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since ancient times. In 2015, the Greek Merchant Marine controlled

1350-854: The Baptist tradition on the High Street. There is also the Roman Catholic Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Runnacleave Road, the Methodist / United Reformed Emmanuel Church on Wilder Road, and the Salvation Army Corps church on Torrs Park, by Bath Place. There is a Jehovah's Witness meeting place in Victoria Road. Since at least the mid-17th century a light has been displayed from

1425-726: The British Army at Corunna in the Peninsular War . For his skill in saving the Peninsula army from Napoleon's forces, he was presented to a joint meeting of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament to receive the rare honour of record of "grateful thanks of the nation". He retired as a Rear Admiral and Commissioner of the Royal Navy . Captain Richard Bowen (1761–97) James Bowen's younger brother,

1500-659: The Crimean War . Hosken was born in Plymouth , the son James Hosken (1756-1848), a navy warrant officer , and Elizabeth Veale (1767-?). He entered the Royal Navy on 23 February 1808, (two months after his 9th birthday). In 1810 he was appointed midshipman aboard Formidable , and later served in the Baltic, the Mediterranean, and the North Sea, until the end of the war in 1815. He passed

1575-696: The Ilfracombe slates . Ilfracombe lies within the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is renowned for its dramatic coastal cliffs and landscape. Hillsborough, lying close to the town centre is a local nature reserve, and around the town are many other havens for wildlife, notable including the Cairn . The coast itself is part of the North Devon Voluntary Marine Conservation area because of its diverse and rare species. Until

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1650-498: The M5 . From 1874, Ilfracombe was served by the Ilfracombe railway line that ran from Barnstaple , but this closed in 1970. Now, the nearest National Rail railway station is in Barnstaple and buses provide the public transport link from there to Ilfracombe. There are a number of regular bus services operating from Ilfracombe. These include: There are also several smaller routes around

1725-574: The Pacific campaign . Since 2008, 3 September has been officially commemorated as Merchant Navy Day , on the same day as the pre-existing Australian National Flag Day, which allows the Australian Red Ensign to be flown on land for the occasion as a matter of protocol, as an official recognition of the merchant navy's contribution in wartime. The Australian Merchant Navy Memorial in Canberra ,

1800-1152: The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) with the intent of reestablishing the Pakistan Merchant Navy. Later, the company was incorporated under the provisions of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Ordinance of 1979 and the Companies Ordinance of 1984. Today, the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation is the national flag carrier. The corporation's head office is located in Karachi. A regional office based in Lahore caters for upcountry shipping requirements. The corporation also has an extensive overseas network of agents looking after its worldwide shipping business. The Pakistan National Shipping Corporation also has several subsidiary companies. The Polish Merchant Navy ( Polish : Polska Marynarka Handlowa , PMH)

1875-611: The Second World War mean that a new pier was required. The wood was replaced with reinforced concrete and car parking space was increased. The new pier was opened on 6 July 1952. A seasonal passenger ferry , operated by MS Oldenburg , connects the harbour to Lundy Island . Pleasure boats, including MV Balmoral and PS Waverley , operate seasonal cruises from Ilfracombe, including crossings to Porthcawl . However, due to rising fuel costs these services are under threat. A catamaran-based ferry service from Ilfracombe to Swansea

1950-449: The Swiss flag . The United States Merchant Marine is made up of the nation's civilian-owner merchant ships and government owned ships ( Military Sealift Command , NOAA , Army Corps of Engineers , Department of Homeland Security ), and the men and women who crew them. The merchant marine transports cargo and passengers during peacetime. In time of war, the merchant marine is an auxiliary to

2025-461: The architecture of Ilfracombe which gives the town a Victorian flavour visible in many buildings. The latest style of architecture can be seen in the award-winning design of the Landmark Theatre . Verity is a 2012 stainless steel and bronze statue by Damien Hirst . The 20.25-metre (66.4 ft) tall sculpture stands on the pier at the entrance to the harbour. It has been loaned to

2100-493: The marine steam engine , and towards the end of the year was appointed to the command of the Great Western Steamship Company 's paddle-wheel steamship SS  Great Western . She sailed from Bristol on her maiden voyage on 8 April 1838, and arrived at New York fifteen days later on the 23rd. This represented a dramatic increase in speed, as the average duration of an Atlantic crossing from England to America in

2175-482: The navy and can be called upon to deliver troops and supplies for the military . The people of the merchant marine are called "merchant mariners", and are civilians except in times of war, when, in accordance with the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 , they are considered military personnel. As of 2009, the U.S. merchant fleet numbered 422 ships and approximately 69,000 people. Not included in these numbers are

2250-532: The "Valley of the sons of Alfred". The second origin is that the name Ilfracombe was derived from Norse illf (bad), Anglo-Saxon yfel (evil ford) and Anglo-Saxon cumb (valley) perhaps from a Celtic source (compare Welsh cwm ), thus 'The valley with the bad ford'. The manor house at Chambercombe in east Ilfracombe was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as being built by a Norman knight Champernon (from Chambernon in France) who landed with William of Normandy . It

2325-553: The 14th-century chapel atop Lantern Hill, to guide ships entering the harbour. The light remains operational, and is said to be Britain's oldest lighthouse. The current lantern was installed by Trinity House in 1819; the date is shown on a fish-shaped weather vane . The light was owned and overseen by the Lord of the Manor of Ilfracombe; in the mid-19th century it was gas-powered (it used three gas burners with silvered reflectors ) and displayed

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2400-637: The 30½ nautical miles (56.5 km; 35.1 mi) from Ilfracombe to Swansea was Gethin Jones , who achieved the record on 13 September 2009, taking nearly 22 hours. In 2016 Sian Clement became the first female and achieved a new fastest crossing at 14 hours 1 minute. From 2001 there was an economic regeneration programme led by the Ilfracombe & District Community Alliance MCTI, a community interest company designed to encourage social entrepreneurship . After widespread community consultation this programme developed

2475-604: The Atlantic and North Pacific trade, mostly this involved domestic and South Pacific cargos. New Zealand-owned ships were involved in trade with the United Kingdom (84% of all New Zealand exports in 1939) and the majority of New Zealand seamen had served with the British Merchant Navy. Over the course of the war, 64 ships were sunk by enemy action on the New Zealand–UK route, and 140 merchant seafarers died (a similar number were also taken prisoner). The Pakistan Merchant Navy

2550-537: The Irish nationalist Anna Catherine Parnell (sister of Charles Stewart Parnell ) drowned at Ilfracombe and is buried in the churchyard at Holy Trinity . Alice Frances Louisa Phillips (b. 26 January 1891 at 85 High Street, Ilfracombe) and her father Escott Robert Phillips (b. 1869 Cardiff) held 2nd class ticket No. 2 on the Titanic , and set sail from Southampton on 10 April 1912 heading for New Brighton, Pennsylvania . Alice

2625-658: The Mediterranean under Captain Stephen Lushington . Aetna was paid off in May 1830, and afterwards he commanded the packet ships Princess Elizabeth and Tyrian , sailing to the West Indies and South America. He left the Navy in October 1832. Between 1833 and 1836 he was the captain of a merchant ship sailing between Liverpool and South America. In 1837 he devoted himself to the study of

2700-595: The New Zealand Registry (many larger New Zealand vessels were however registered in London for insurance purposes). Some foreign vessels were impressed, including the four-masted barque, Pamir . New Zealand, like several other Commonwealth nations, created a merchant navy. However, the "wartime Merchant Navy was neither a military force nor a single coherent body", instead it was "a diverse collection of private companies and ships". Although some ships were involved in

2775-651: The Premier Division of the Western Football League . A tennis club is based at Bicclescombe Park which contains six tennis courts. Maritime activities include a popular yacht club and a Gig boat club with three boats which now competes in the world championships. The South West Coast Path connecting Minehead in Somerset to Dorset , via Land's End , passes through the town from Hele Bay to Lee Bay via Ilfracombe Harbour. The first person to swim

2850-485: The Royal Navy in 1832. He was knighted and died in Ilfracombe in 1852. ( Gentlemen's Gazette ) There was a battlemented castle overlooking the harbor; of this nothing remains except contemporary records and the area designated Castle Hill off Portland Street/Montepellier Terrace. The novelist Frances Burney stayed in Ilfracombe in 1817. Her diary entries (2 July – 5 October) record early 19th-century life in Ilfracombe:

2925-603: The South-West) established a hill fort on the dominant hill, Hillsborough (formerly Hele's Barrow ). The origin of the town's name has two possible sources. The first is that it is a derivative of the Anglo-Saxon Alfreinscoma - by which name it was noted in the Liber Exoniensis of 1086. The translation of this name (from Walter William Skeat of the department of Anglo Saxon at Cambridge University ) means

3000-462: The boats carried workers, live and dead stock and other merchandise to and from the town. The PS  Waverley  (1885) arrived in Ilfracombe in 1887, after her owners P & A Campbell brought her to Bristol , initially on a charter, as their first pleasure steamer to work the Bristol Channel , and was based there until 1917. Deterioration of the wooden pier and part demolition during

3075-617: The built environment, the architectural-award-winning Landmark Theatre has a distinctive double-conical design. The 13th-century parish church, Holy Trinity , and the St Nicholas's Chapel (a lighthouse) on Lantern Hill, have been joined by Damien Hirst 's statue of Verity as points of interest. Ilfracombe has been settled since the Iron Age , when the Dumnonii (the Roman name for the inhabitants of

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3150-524: The chapel is open to visitors in the summer months. Ilfracombe Rugby Union Club was founded in 1877 and welcomes players from 16 to 61. Ilfracombe Golf Club (located just beyond Hele Bay ) was founded in 1892. The Ilfracombe cricket club play at Brimlands, a site shared with the town's rugby club. Ilfracombe Running Club was formed in 2013. They meet at Ilfracombe Town F.C. on Thursday evenings. Ilfracombe Town Football Club , who play at Marlborough Park near The Ilfracombe Academy , compete in

3225-412: The coast from the 'Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward the east and 4 miles (6 km) along the Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west. The resort is hilly and the highest point within the parish boundary is 'Hore Down Gate', 2 miles (3 km) inland and 860 feet (270 m) above sea level. The landmark of Hillsborough Hill dominates the harbour and the site of an Iron Age fortified settlement. In

3300-481: The coastal North Devon area as far as Lynton and Lynmouth on the Somerset county border. It is a nationally recognised centre for Media Studies and was in 2004 awarded Media Arts Status. Upon completion of a new art block in 2007, the school's specialist status became simply arts. Further educational courses and vocational courses are run by the school. Ilfracombe Museum was opened in 1932 in Ilfracombe Hotel's Victorian laundry and contains attractions from around

3375-498: The creation of better youth support and recreation facilities at the Larkstone eastern side of the harbour area. Each year, the residents and schoolchildren of Ilfracombe celebrate their heritage. These celebrations include six carnivals – a May Day , led by a "green" man walking celebration, it is a successor to the May Day events held for centuries until suppressed by the church in the 19th century because of riotous, licentious and drunken behaviour; Ilfracombe Victorian Celebration,

3450-431: The examination for lieutenant in 1816, but was unable to gain a commission. From 1816 to 1819 he served in the frigate Pique in the West Indies, then spent three years in the Channel serving aboard the brig Wolf . From 1824 to 1828 he served as Mate of the revenue cutter Scout , engaged in the suppression of smuggling. Finally, on 9 August 1828, he was appointed lieutenant of the bomb vessel Aetna , serving in

3525-492: The former urban district, with its council taking the name Ilfracombe Town Council. In 1997 the town council established a new headquarters at 44 High Street, which had been built in 1935 as the offices of the Ilfracombe Gas Company, naming it the Ilfracombe Centre. The town lies within the Parliamentary constituency of North Devon . It had Liberal Democrat representation from 1992 to 2015 with MP Nick Harvey . and again since 2024 through Ian Roome . From 2015 to 2024 it

3600-404: The harbour belonged to the Bouchier family: Earls of Bath . Because of the natural layout of the harbour, Ilfracombe became a significant safe port (registered port of refuge) on the Bristol Channel . It also had trade routes between Kinsale and Tenby , which made the port stronger. In 1208 it was listed as having provided King John with ships and men to invade Ireland ; in 1247 it supplied

3675-404: The local lobster, crabs and whelks. There are many private charters, sea cruise and coastal tour boat operators sailing from the harbour. Ilfracombe is at the southern end of the A361 , the longest 3-digit A-road in England which finishes on the A5 at Kilsby on the Northamptonshire - Warwickshire border near Rugby and is the town's main connection with the South West England motorway,

3750-585: The lowest tides clambering around the rocks of the point. These tunnels led to a pair of tidal pools, which in accordance with Victorian morals, were used for segregated male and female bathing. Whereas women were constrained to a strict dress code covering up the whole body, men generally swam naked. The tunnels are still viewable and are signposted as Tunnels Beaches. In 1856, writer Mary Ann Evans (pen-name George Eliot ) accompanied George Henry Lewes to Ilfracombe to gather materials for his work Seaside Studies published in 1858. Actor Peter Sellers lived in

3825-404: The mid-19th century Ilfracombe's economy was based around maritime activities: importing lime and coal from Wales; fishing for herring; and international trade, including to West Africa and the West Indies . In George III and the Regency period the town, population then 1800, The town gradually developed into a tourist resort served by ferries along the Bristol Channel . The opening of

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3900-431: The national capital city of Australia, is a memorial honouring the Australian Merchant Navy's involvement in both world wars. The British Merchant Navy comprises the British merchant ships that transport cargo and people during times of peace and war. For much of its history, the merchant navy was the largest merchant fleet in the world, but with the decline of the British Empire in the mid-20th century it slipped down

3975-419: The navy and in 1851 he was appointed to command of the despatch vessel Banshee in the Mediterranean, and later in the Channel. On 26 September 1853 he was promoted to commander, and during the Baltic campaigns of 1854–55 commanded the hospital ship Belleisle . At the end of the Crimean War he was employed in bringing back troops from the Black Sea . In June 1857 he was promoted to captain, and in 1868

4050-550: The night of 22 September 1846, during her fifth voyage, she ran aground in Dundrum Bay , Ireland. Weather conditions were poor, and an error on the chart led Hosken to believe that the lighthouse on St. John's Point, at the entrance of the bay, was the Calf of Man , which they had passed four hours before. After several months the ship was refloated, but Hosken had no further employment in the merchant service. From 1848 to 1849 Hosken served as master attendant and postmaster at Labuan , recently ceded to England. He then returned to

4125-437: The over 700 ships which are owned by American interests but are registered, or flagged , in other countries. [REDACTED] Media related to Merchant marine at Wikimedia Commons Ilfracombe Ilfracombe ( / ˈ ɪ l f r ə k uː m / IL -frə-koom ) is a seaside resort and civil parish on the North Devon coast, England , with a small harbour surrounded by cliffs . The parish stretches along

4200-424: The railway accelerated this development. The population grew until the First World War , then stabilised at 9,200, now 11,000. The economy suffered throughout the 1960s as UK holiday patterns changed, and suffered further through the closure of the railway line in 1970. In the last 25 years, major investment by private 'light engineering' companies has added to the economy. These companies include: Pall Europe -

4275-442: The rankings. In 1939, the merchant navy was the largest in the world with 33% of total tonnage. By 2012, the merchant navy held only 3% of total tonnage. As of the year ending 2012, British Merchant Marine interests consists of 1,504 ships of 100 GT or over. This includes ships either UK directly owned, parent owned or managed by a British company. This amounts to: 59,413,000  GT or alternatively 75,265,000  DWT . This

4350-610: The safe and timely delivery of the cargo. The ship owner may be responsible for one vessel or a major fleet. The following is a partial list of the merchant navies or merchant marines of various countries. In many countries the fleet's proper name is simply the capitalized version of the common noun ("Merchant Navy"). During the First World War, the government requisitioned Australian merchant vessels for use as transport ships, hospital ships and cargo ships . During World War II, they were commissioned for use as hospital ships, supply ships and armed merchant cruisers, in particular in

4425-409: The title of the "Merchant Navy" on the British merchant shipping fleets following their service in World War I ; since then a number of other nations have also adopted use of that title or the similar "Merchant Marine". In most jurisdictions, the concept can be equated with a road haulage company. Ships are the equivalent of the truck, and the crew the equivalent of the truck driver, tasked with ensuring

4500-465: The town for 20 years. The name of the piece refers to 'truth' and Hirst describes his work as a "modern allegory of truth and justice". The statue depicts a pregnant woman holding aloft a sword while carrying the scales of justice and standing on a pile of law books. Half of the sculpture shows the internal anatomy of the pregnant woman, with the foetus visible. Ilfracombe has churches of various Christian denominations. The main Anglican church

4575-565: The town run by the local operator Independent Coach Company. The first steam packets arrived at Ilfracombe in 1823, and soon a regular service between Bristol and between Swansea developed. On 16 May 1873, a wooden promenade pier was opened to allow the pleasure steamers to berth at all tides. On 23 June 1894, it was reported in the Ilfracombe Chronicle that over 2,500 people arrived in no less than seven boats, it describes them as 'commodious and well-appointed vessels with an excellent reputation for speed and comfort.' As well as holidaymakers,

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4650-423: The town when his parents managed the Gaiety Theatre; he first stepped on the stage there and reputedly played the drums. Another actor, Terry Thomas visited the town frequently to stay with his sister, and in the same period, Joan Collins and Jackie Collins were schooled here and boarded in the town. In the last two decades, the town has been home to many artists including locally Damien Hirst , and George Shaw

4725-501: The world in terms of total DWT . India currently supplies around 12.8% of officers and around 14.5% of ratings to the world seafaring community. This is one of the highest of any country. India has many merchant shipping companies. Some of the prominent shipping companies in India are Great Eastern Shipping , Tolani Shipping, SCI now a private company, and Seven Islands Shipping which is an ownership company. In December 1939, 3,000 seafarers were employed and 186 merchant vessels were on

4800-409: The world including pickled bats and the two-headed kitten. It also contains items and photographs of local railway interest including one of the concrete name boards from the now closed local railway station , which can be seen on the front wall of the museum; and a collection of pieces of Victorian wedding cakes . It also has oak panels salvaged from the wreck of HMS Montagu . Ilfracombe also has

4875-465: The world's largest merchant fleet in terms of tonnage with a total DWT of 334,649,089 tons and a fleet of 5,226 Greek owned vessels, according to Lloyd's List . Greece is also ranked highly regarding all types of ships, including first for tankers and bulk carriers . The birth of the modern Indian Merchant Navy occurred before independence from the United Kingdom, when in 1919 SS Loyalty sailed from India to Britain. Today, India ranks 15th in

4950-399: Was a Conservative seat, first represented by Peter Heaton-Jones from 2015 to 2019, and after 2019 by Selaine Saxby . The town is also twinned with Ifs in France . Ilfracombe overlies slates formed from sedimentary rock that underwent geological stress (creating faults and folds), towards the end of the Carboniferous Period , around 300 million years ago. These are known as

5025-411: Was also home to the Bowen family. James Bowen was sailing master of HMS  Queen Charlotte , the flagship of Richard, Earl Howe at the 1794 " Glorious First of June " battle. James Bowen was commissioned by Howe for his leadership in the battle. He rose through the levels - commander of HMS  Argo , Dreadnought, and in Georgian England titled "defender of Madeira", led the fleet which rescued

5100-536: Was an ancient parish . It was also an ancient borough in the middle ages, but its borough status lapsed and it was subsequently run by its parish vestry , in the same way as most rural areas. Urban forms of local government were re-established in 1851 when a local board was created for the parish. The local board built a town hall at 20 High Street to serve as its headquarters, which was formally opened in 1863. Local boards were reconstituted as urban district councils in 1894. Ilfracombe Urban District Council

5175-403: Was based at the town hall until 1931, when it converted the west wing of the Ilfracombe Hotel on Wilder Road to become its offices and meeting place and sold the town hall. The urban district of Ilfracombe was abolished in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , with the area merging with neighbouring districts to become the new North Devon district. A successor parish was created covering

5250-706: Was created in the interwar period when the Second Polish Republic regained independence. During World War II , many ships of the Polish Navy joined the Allied merchant navy and its convoys as part of the Polish contribution to World War II . After the war, the Polish Merchant Navy was controlled by the People's Republic of Poland and, after 1989, by modern Poland. As of 1999 , the PMH controlled 57 ships (of 1,000 GT or over) totaling 1,120,165  gross tonnage  (GT)/1,799,569 tonnes deadweight (DWT) including 50 bulk carriers , two general cargo ships , two chemical tankers , one roll-on/roll-off ship and two short-sea passenger ships . Switzerland, despite being

5325-428: Was developed, however this service did not commence, reportedly because adequate landing and berthing facilities in Swansea have not been forthcoming. The town's educational needs are served by three schools: an infants school, a junior school and the Ilfracombe Academy . Each of these schools are amongst the largest of their type in Devon. The Ilfracombe Academy serves the needs of Ilfracombe residents and those across

5400-542: Was formed in 1947. The Ministry of Railways and Communication (Port and Shipping Wing), Mercantile Marine Department and Shipping Office established by the Government of Pakistan . Who were authorized to flag the ships and also ensured that the vessels were sea worthy. All of the private shipping companies merged and formed the National Shipping Corporation (NSC) and the Pakistan Shipping Corporation (PSC) and as

5475-464: Was initially posted to Ilfracombe to lead a protection ship for HM Customs and Excise . He married a local girl and rose through the officers’ ranks to retire as Vice Admiral. His son joined the navy aged 14 (his first navy kit is on display at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich ). In 1802 James Meek married Down's daughter and settled in the town; James Meek was appointed the Comptroller of Victuals to

5550-703: Was placed on the retired list. He was promoted to rear-admiral in April 1875, and vice-admiral in August 1879, and died at Ilfracombe , Devon , on 2 January 1885. He is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery , Bristol . In 1889 Elizabeth Ann, his second wife, published an Autobiographical Sketch of the Public Career of Admiral James Hosken . A portrait of his son Thomas Hosken (b.1831) can be seen in Merchant Hall , Bristol. Merchant navy King George V bestowed

5625-562: Was rescued in boat 12, but her father was lost in the disaster. There are three tiers of local government covering Ilfracombe, at parish (town), district and county level: Ilfracombe Town Council, North Devon Council (based in Barnstaple ) and Devon County Council (based in Exeter ). Ilfracombe Town Council is based at the Ilfracombe Centre at 44 High Street, which also serves as an area office for North Devon Council. Ilfracombe

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