Cowes, The Marine Hotel 1890

Photo ref: 26187

More about this scene

During the 17th century, smuggling around the coast of Britain became a highly lucrative trade, and could be just as vicious as it sometimes is today. Most of the islanders at that time were extremely poor, and like the inhabitants of other coastal areas saw smuggling as a way of augmenting their poverty-stricken existence. Running battles between the customs men and the smugglers were common. In 1777 a newly-appointed Collector of Customs, William Arnold, arrived to take up his post at Cowes. Since the building of the two castles in the reign of Henry VIII, prevention of smuggling in the coastal waters of the Island had been under the direction of the Customs. However, William Arnold was the first to be officially appointed as Collector of Customs. His task was overwhelming, for most of the Island was in league with the smugglers to one degree or another.

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A Selection of Memories from Cowes

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Cowes

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Cowes From 1937 To 1955

I was born in Cowes, so many lovely photos! I left for Canada in 1957, Vancouver Island. Sidney, BC, reminds me of a Canadian Cowes. I know all the locations that you display. Things changed a bit over the years, but on a visit I bought a lovely sweat shirt at Atkeys Chandlers, and stayed at the Solent Inn. I saw the old Denmark Road School is now Condos. We used to go to the big air raid shelters in the ...see more

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Added 09 May 2020

Special Ladiesspecial Island

My late father Donald Jack Baker was born at Cowes on the 18/8/1910, he would later become my father in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (Now Zimbabwe) on the 20/6/1940. Through no fault of our father we children grew up in homes and were later fostered out. All through the years we received little parcels from our grandmother and great grandmother Eva Irene, and Emily Ada Baker nee Baggs. I have recently stood at ...see more

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Added 20 November 2011

Hell And High Water!

I worked in my Aunts ladies wear shop (Kays), and remember being flodded when heavy rain combined with high tide caused the shop to have water running through from back to the front with my friend Maureen and myself sweeping the ensuing water out of the front door. In those days the floor was bare board and it soon dried out. As it was summer we thought it was good fun and no harm was caused.