Page 2 - Newsletter Spring 2023

Whidbey was recognized as the indi- In 1811, the Admiralty gave the go
vidual who made sure tasks were com- ahead to build the Breakwater and Jo-
pleted no matter the obstacles. It was seph Whidbey was appointed super-
apparent that Whidbey was responsible intendent of the project, which was so
for much of the success of Vancouver’s large, it was deemed a National Un-
expedition. Peter Puget also assisted in dertaking.
finishing Vancouver’s three-volume A Whidbey had a home built for him a
Voyage of Discovery to the North Pa- Bovisand Bay on the east side of Plym-
cific Ocean and Round the World, pub- outh Sound. There he could oversee the
lished in 1798. project. The first stone was dropped
With my journey back in time, I had into place August 8th, 1812. By March
to ask the question: “After the voyage, of 1813 the stones appeared above the
what footprint did Joseph Whidbey low tide line.
leave in Great Britain? “ Line battleships were utilizing the
He was appointed Master Attendant protection of the breakwater by 1814.
at the Sheerness Shipyard, a posi- John Rennie died in 1821, and his son
tion he had long sought. While there, took over his father’s role. As the years
Whidbey devised a totally unique and progressed, work on the breakwater
successful means to raise a ship from continued with several modifications.
the bottom. His method was presented After more than 200 years the breakwa-
to the Royal Society in 1803 and Whid- ter Whidbey and John Rennie designed
bey was admitted to the Society. He and built still provides a safe haven for
was now intermingling with the finest ships entering the harbor at Plymouth.
minds in Great Britain. In 1830, Whidbey retired at age 75 and
Whidbey became acquainted with moved inland to Taunton, England to
John Rennie, the leading civil engineer spend the last three years of his life.
and architect of the early nineteenth In 2003, I made the trip to Plymouth the building of the breakwater, in-
century in England. Rennie was a to find out more about the Breakwater cluding many letters written by Whid-
tireless worker coming from an aristo- and Joseph Whidbey. There I was able bey. Highlights of the trip included a
cratic family. He surrounded himself to read John Rennie, Jr.’s “Historical, tour of Whidbey’s home at Bovisand
with people who had knowledge and Practical, and Theoretical of Account Bay which looks directly out to the
worked as hard as he did. Whidbey had of the Breakwater of Breakwater in Breakwater. Lastly, there was a stop at
knowledge of the sea, harbors, survey- Plymouth Sound,” published in 1845. Taunton, England to view his grave.
ing, and ships. The two were about to The document contains details of Joseph Whidbey’s professional life is
embark on a project that would take 53 well documented. He was a consum-
years to complete. This would become mate workaholic. However, his early
a lifelong friendship and collaboration. life is unknown. His family life re-
Plymouth Sound, being exposed to mains a mystery. Where was he born?
storms from the Atlantic Ocean, took its Who were his parents? Where did he
toll on ships. In 1806, the British Admi- receive his education?
ralty commissioned Rennie and Whid- Receiving Joseph Whidbey’s will has
bey to survey the Sound at Plymouth. provided insight to the people he was
Could a breakwater be built to pro- close to. The next steps include making
vide safe anchorage at Plymouth? The a digital copy available online, printing
project was so large that it was com- a copy to examine and/or displaying
pared to the building of the pyramids the original will.
in Egypt. It involved building an is- There will also be a future Now &
land half a mile in length across Plym- Then community presentation of Jo-
outh Sound with no power machinery. seph Whidbey’s life, his personality,
Many scoffed and laughed and said it and the interaction between the differ-
could not be done. Rennie and Whid- ent individuals in his life.
bey expressed both amusement and
frustration of the campaign to under- The grave of Joseph Whidbey in Taunton,
mine their very exacting plan. England.
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