Insight into Isle of Wight ropeworks Bannisters of Cowes

Henry Bannister started making rope around 1790, moved to a site on Mill Hill Road in 1820 and then built a ropewalk over 1,000 feet long, extending from the Mill Hill Road frontage to half way along Pelham Road.

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An 1894 trade catalogue said of Bannisters: “A large plant of machinery has been laid down, making it the the largest industrial concern of the kind on the Isle of Wight. As rope manufacturers the firm hold the leading position and their ropes are sent to all parts of the world. When it comes to this class of work there are few firms that can approach Messrs. Bannister. 

“The plant of rope-making machinery is very extensive, and embraces the most improved apparatus driven by steam power. The tarring shop and other departments combine to make this ropery one of the best in the kingdom.

The ropewalk was 1,000 feet long, stretching from Mill Hill Road to halfway along Pelham Road. Photo: Ron Trowell Collection/IWCP. (Image: Ron Trowell Collection/IWCP)

"Vast stocks of raw material are held in the shape of bales of hemp and flax from all the chief sources of supply. They have also a wharf and stores at Solent Wharf, Medina Road, West Cowes, and a patent slip where small boats and launches may be laid up. Altogether about 50 hands are regularly employed in this flourishing business.”

For some of those 50 hands, Bannisters was a dangerous place to work from time to time. Industrial accidents were common in Victorian times, safety at work was non-existent, guards on machines were unheard of — and so was compensation.

On December 14, 1889, the County Press reported: “On Tuesday morning a youth named George Jackson was at work in Mr Bannister’s rope works, and in clearing a rope from one of the machines, the middle finger of his left hand became entangled and was badly crushed. He was taken at once to Dr Hofmeister, when it was found necessary to amputate the finger. The operation was skilfully performed by Dr Hofmeister, the lad bravely submitting without the administration of chloroform.”

A year later unguarded machinery claimed another victim: under the headline ‘Alarming Accident At Bannister’s Rope Works’ the County Press of October 4, 1890, reported: “On Wednesday morning an accident of a serious character occurred at Mr Bannister’s ropeworks to a boy named Hurst, 14 years of age. It appears that the boy was going to put some seed beans on a beam in the roof, and to help him to reach the place, which is about nine feet from the ground, he jumped up and caught hold of a shaft over his head. 

“The shaft was revolving with great rapidity, and the poor boy was drawn up, and his clothes becoming entangled with the shaft, he was whirled round several times, beating him against the surrounding woodwork. His cries brought speedy help, and a man named Mouncher, with great presence of mind, ran and stopped the machinery, and the unfortunate boy was taken down, fearfully cut, with one leg broken, and his clothes torn from him. 

“Dr Nockolds attended him, and had him removed to his surgery on a stretcher. On examination it was found that one leg was fearfully broken, and it was found necessary to amputate the limb below the knee and this was done at once, the patient being put under chloroform. The head was very much cut about and he had lost a good deal of blood. As soon as possible he was taken to his home where he now lies. There appears to be no blame attached to anyone.”

Did you know? Bannisters ropewalk appears on the Cowes Boat Trail

• CLICK HERE to see the Cowes Boat Trail, which is packed with interesting historic sites in Cowes and East Cowes.

For the next 60 years all seems to have been well with no further accidents turning up in the County Press. Bannisters flourished until the 1950s when nylon and polyester arrived and revolutionised the rope making industry.

The new ropes were cheaper and stronger than natural ropes and the writing was on the wall. The demand for natural ropes plummeted and a slimmed down Bannisters was sold to J.S. Whites in 1956, who moved production to their yards. 

Ironically, Whites only had a few more years before they too would close.

The shipyard closed in 1965 and what was left was taken over in 1981 by Elliot Turbo Machinery, of Pennsylvania, makers of petrochemical rigs.

By that time Bannisters’ site had been sold, in 1968, to Wadham College, Oxford, owners of much of Cowes High Street to this day.

Flexing their muscles, the college made no bones — they had bought the land as an investment and in 1973, they submitted plans to build a shopping centre of about ten shops. 

A Wadham College spokesman said that if planning permission was disallowed they would “feel obliged to exercise their rights of development for light industry over the whole site.”

Naturally that was music to the council’s ears. Planning permission was refused and today the site is home to a small thriving business park.

Just before we go, if any reader knows why a boy would be placing ‘seed beans’ on a beam, do tell.

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