Why Deptford?

Map from: Phillips, Hugh,I, Collins, 1951, p.23.

The name Deptford comes from the original meaning of 'deep ford.' Many historically important voyages began at Deptford. It was the location of the Royal Dockyard established by Henry VIII in 1513 and remained in operation until 1869.

Peter the Great and his court studied shipbuilding for three months at Deptford in1698 at Sayes Court, the manor house of Deptford. The Tsar's visited was infamous for the damage he and his court caused during their stay. Sayes Court was completely demolished in 1728-9, without further help by the Tsar. The Admiralty Victualling Yard, renamed in 1858 the Royal Victoria Yard was built on part of the original estate in 1742 comprising massive facilities for warehouses, a bakery, a cattleyard/abattoir and sugar stores and used for supplying ships of the Royal Navy. It was closed 1960.

Francis Drake sailed and was knighted off Deptford.

The Bethia built in Hull and purchased by the Royal Navy and renamed by Sir Joseph Banks, Bounty, was to depart from Deptford on its ill-fated voyage to Tahiti in 1787. Many of the crew of Bounty were from local seafaring communities in Deptford.

The Artists Perpetuity Trust (APT) is located on Deptford Creek, near the Royal Dockland and is located on two of the original Potteries at Creekside where the extra-large pots were made for the Bounty voyage.

The second Polynesian brought to England, Mydiddee, arrived at Deptford and died shortly after in 1793 to be buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, off Deptford High Street.

-Research for this information thanks to Cuillin Bantock.