User:Ray3055/Dennett

John Dennett, born 25th September 1780, died 10 July 1852

Dennet wrote in a pamphlet printed in 1832 (ii) "...A natural fondness for pursuits connected with Naval and Military Mechanics, has led me to devote a large portion of time and expense, in experiments on those favourite subjects; from which, amongst many other inventions, the production of these rockets has been the result ..."

It is thought likely that during the Napoleonic Wars John Dennett was manufacturing military rockets. Still for him a great concern at the time must have been the heavy loss of life through shipwreck on lee-coasts of the British Isles, and this no doubt provided much of the stimulation for his development of the humanitarian uses of the rockets.

(Source 1911 encyclopedia)

1826
In 1826 four places in the Isle of Wight were supplied with Dennett's rockets, but it was not till after government had taken the apparatus (www.1911encyclopedia.org/Life-Boat)

In January 1826 there was a Report of Captain Clavell, RN, commanding His Majesty's Ship Prince, and twelve other Naval and Military Officers, on experiments made with Rockets.

We, whose names are subscribed, do herby certify, that we have been present at experiments made with Mr John Dennett's Rockets; and we are fully of the opinion that they will answer every intended purpose in case of shipwreck. Those of twelve pounds weight, will convey a large line against the utmost power of the wind, more than three hundred yards; a distance much greater than shipwrecks generally happen in any part of the coast of England. And their small weight in transporting from place to place, amongst the cliffs, and their peculiar efficacy in a dark night, renders them far preferable to any apparatus we have ever seen for that purpose.

The report led to the establishment of rocket stations at Atherfield, Freshwater and St Lawrence on the south coast of the Isle of Wight.

1827
In 1827 Thomas Robert Brigstocke, of Ryde and the Inspecting Commander of Coast Guard Isle of Wight, also reported favourably on the use of the rocket to the Secretary of the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck.

1832 Bainbridge rescue
In 1832 a Dennett rocket from the Atherfield station was used to rescue 19 survivors from the wreck of the 400 ton Bainbridge with a full cargo of rum and deals; as a result of  national newspaper coverage, a contract of £300 a year was awarded for the rocket's use by the Coastguard.

In a pamplet produced by John Dennett entitled Description of Dennett's Rockets for Preserving lives from Shipwreck this quotation appears:

We hereby certify that the Bainbridge, from Halifax for London, was wrecked during the heavy gale, on the night of the 7th -8th inst, on Atherfield Rocks, at the back of the isle of Wight; that four attempts were made with Captain Manby's apparatus to throw a line over the ship, without success, owing principally to the great distance she lay from shore. A Rocket of Mr Dennett's invention was then fired, and at once carried the line to its destination in the most complete manner, although the position of the ship was most unfavourable for such a manoeuvre, as she lay end on, with her stern towards the shore. The communication thus established, a strong rope was hauled onboard, and a boat drawn through the surf, by which the crew, nineteen in number, were in two trips safely landed upon the beach. The superiority of the rocket was most evident to all, and the proof is in the result. That they come into general operation upon similar occasions, we heartily wish, and we give our most hearty thanks, (as is most due,) to Mr Dennett, for his exertions in the cause of humanity. William Miller, Master Joseph Irwin, Mate Atherfield, Oct 10, 1832

1835 trials
For much of 1835, training and comparison exercises between mortar and rocket took place around Gt Britain in places such as Tynemouth, Blyth and Yarmouth. Gordon Harris, who owned and ran a ropery at Hull, sponsored extensive tests in the first week of September on Skegness beach,  after analysing the results, George Manby concluded that the future was in rockets and invited Dennett to be a guest and stay with him at his home in Yarmouth. (vii) From Rock and Tempest, Kenneth Walhew 1971

Earlier devices
Rescuers using a rocket to fire a line over a ship in distress. A strong line is then hauled to the ship which can be used to either guide a rescue boat or establish tackle to bring ashore individuals and by 1817 Henry Trengrouse had published a pamphlet on his use of rockets for 'saying lives in the case of shipwreck'. A copy of which he claimed had been deposited in the circulating library for sailors at Cowes before 1824. It is not known whether it was seen by John Dennett or not.

1826 report
In January 1826 there was a Report of Captain Clavell, RN, commanding His Majesty's Ship Prince, and twelve other Naval and Military Officers, on experiments made with Rockets. "We, whose names are subscribed, do herby certify, that we have been present at experiments made with Mr John Dennett's Rockets; and we are fully of the opinion that they will answer every intended purpose in case of shipwreck. Those of twelve pounds weight, will convey a large line against the utmost power of the wind, more than three hundred yards; a distance much greater than shipwrecks generally happen in any part of the coast of England. And their small weight in transporting from place to place, amongst the cliffs, and their peculiar efficacy in a dark night, renders them far preferable to any apparatus we have ever seen for that purpose". Their report led to the establishment of three rocket stations here on the Southern Coast of the Isle of Wight at Freshwater, Atherfield and St Lawrence. A year later Thomas Robert Brigstocke, of Ryde and the Inspecting Commander of Coast Guard Isle of Wight, also reported favourably on the use of the rocket to the Secretary of the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck.

Thus the scene was set for the real breakthrough in 1832, when a Dennett rocket, from the established station at Atherfield on the Island, rescued some 19 survivors from the wreck of the 400ton Bainbridge with a full cargo of rum and deals. It got national coverage and resulted in a contract of £300 a year for the rocket's use by coastguards. John Dennett quotes several testimonials later in one of his own pamphlets publicising his rockets, including this one from the captain and mate.(ii)   "We hereby certify that the Bainbridge, from Halifax for London, was wrecked during the heavy gale, on the night of the 7th -8th inst, on Atherfield Rocks, at the back of the isle of Wight; that four attempts were made with Captain Manby's apparatus to throw a line over the ship, without success, owing principally to the great distance she lay from shore. A Rocket of Mr Dennett's invention was then fired, and at once carried the line to its destination in the most complete manner, although the position of the ship was most unfavourable for such a manoeuvre, as she lay end on, with her stern towards the shore. The communication thus established, a strong rope was hauled onboard, and a boat drawn through the surf, by which the crew, nineteen in number, were in two trips safely landed upon the beach. The superiority of the rocket was most evident to all, and the proof is in the result. That they come into general operation upon similar occasions, we heartily wish, and we give our most hearty thanks, (as is most due,) to Mr Dennett, for his exertions in the cause of humanity." William Miller, Master Joseph Irwin, Mate Atherfield, Oct 10, 1832

1833
In 1833 The Hampshire Telegraph reported "On Monday last (26th August) Princess Victoria and the Duchess of Kent went to the Earl of Yarborough's, St Lawrence Cottage. The Royal Party went by yacht and anchored in Mill Bay. A temporary jetty was erected for them to land from their barge. They saw a demonstration of Mr Dennett's Rockets, for preserving lives from shipwreck, as requested by the Duchess of Kent." (vi)

For much of 1835, training and comparison exercises between mortar and rocket were taking place around the country in places such as Tynemouth, Blyth and Yarmouth. Gordon Harris, who owned and ran a ropery at Hull, sponsored extensive tests in the first week of September on the beech at Skegness. After analysing the Skegness results, George Manby concluded that the future must be in rockets and invited Dennett to be a guest and stay with him at his home in Yarmouth. (vii)

1838
1838 saw another of John Dennett's patents showing his continued interest in the development of rockets, and even mortars, for a variety of purposes. His inventions this time consisted of "Improvements in war Rockets and in the Method and Apparatus for applying the Powers of Rockets for the Purpose of Obtaining Communication with Vessels which are Stranded, or in any other Situation of Danger; Also, an Improved Instrument and Method for Accurately Pointing Mortars for Throwing Shells, which may likewise be used for Firing Shot from Mortars, for the Purpose of Obtaining Communication with Ships." (viii)

1843
Trials and comparisons were to continue for many years and by the time of the 1843 Shipwreck Committee hearings, Dennett's rockets had been instrumental in effecting rescues all around the British coast.

Manby v Dennett
Many coastguard stations kept both Dennett's rockets and Manby's mortar, some preferring one to the other. 120 stations held rockets by 1853.

Horatio
After John Dennets death the business was left to his son Horatio; however after 1865 the Boxer rocket gradually superceded the Dennet Rocket. Horation died in November 1897 and was buried beside his father.

1890 rescue
In January 1890 there was a rescue of a crew of 36 from the three-masted ship "Irex", driven ashore in Scratchells Bay, when all were hauled one by one to the top of the 400 foot cliff with the help of Dennett's apparatus.