02-03-2025
Oil drills on the Island and more in days gone by
The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by.
125 years ago, in March 1900:
There was a fatal accident at Newport Railway Station when a baker, who was returning from an eye operation in Southsea, fell onto the track into the path of the incoming Sandown train because he couldn't see very well. He died of his injuries early the next morning.
Four cases of suspected swine fever were notified, of which one was found to be genuine, resulting in the slaughter of 118 pigs on the Island.
Laurence Purdey, who was described as a big lad, was fined 2s 6d (12p) for damaging boats moored at Newport Quay, with stones fired from a catapult.
100 years ago, in March 1925:
The bodies of two merchant seamen, both wearing lifebelts, were washed up at Freshwater, leading officials to believe that a ship had foundered off The Needles during recent gales. The bodies had only been in the water a day or two but police had little other than signet rings and watch chains with which to identify the victims.
75 years ago, in March 1950:
Speculation was growing that there was oil under the Island and as a result, convoys of drilling apparatus and apparatus and a van containing high explosive charges had arrived. The County Press discovered that the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company had found that favourable conditions for oil might exist in the south-eastern area of the Island.
At Saunders Roe's main works in East Cowes, the tail-plane was fitted to the first of the three 140-ton Princess flying boats being built there. Each hull consisted of two-and-a-half miles of longitudinal stringers, 1,469 square yards of metal plating, and 3,000,000 rivets. They were believed to be the largest metal structures ever built for an aircraft.
50 Years Ago, in March 1975:
Concerns were raised by a Cowes resident about the deplorable state of the High Street, which was causing frustration and disappointment to the town's inhabitants. The issue came to a head with an application by a bank to open new premises in the street, which was earmarked for shop use only.
A six-ton Bermuda-rig sloop built in the garden of a Totland house was launched at Yarmouth, but not before the builder, Bruce Giddings, hired a crane to lift the 32ft vessel from his front garden.
