Photocopy of the diary of John James Qualtrough of Port St Mary and his account of the construction of the Port St Mary seawall and shelter
Date(s): 1895-1937
Creator(s): Qualtrough, John James
Scope & Content: Qualtrough was a Port St. Mary Commissioner. His diary spans 3 January to 20 April 1895 and records the weather, local deaths, ship movements, disasters at sea and other topics. Due to an exceptionally heavy snowfall, blocking roads and rail tracks, the body of a Cregneash man had to be buried temporarily in the grounds of St Peter's Church, Cregneash until access to Rushen Church was re-established; even then, a ladder was required for a bier. Several tragedies at sea are mentioned including the loss of the fishing boat 'Quicksand' of Peel off the Irish coast. He refers to an outbreak of scarletina, the quaranting of affected families and the organisation of supplies to them. Qualtrough describes efforts to regularise the supply of water by the joint efforts of Port Erin and Port St Mary to purchase Rushen Waterworks. There are references to the management of poor relief, the disbursements of Oddfellows and plans for building the railway station in Port St Mary (27 sheets).. Also, a three page long account of the construction of the Port St Mary seawall and shelter, a winter work initiative for the unemployed, 1937. For related photographs see PG/7066/2-3.
Administration / Biographical History: John James Qualtrough was a Port St. Mary Commissioner.
Language: English
Extent: 2 items
Item name: diary;
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: FONDS
ID number: MS 10134
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im