Joseph Wheeler (shipbuilder) facts for kids

Joseph Wheeler was a very important shipbuilder who lived in Cork, Ireland during the 1800s. He built and fixed many ships, helping to make Cork a busy port city. His work was a big part of the shipping industry in Ireland during that time.

Building Ships in Cork

Joseph Wheeler started his shipbuilding business in the early 1800s. He first used special equipment like derricks (large cranes) and slips (ramps for launching ships) near the Strand Road in Cork. This area was known as the Brickfield slobs.

Moving to a New Yard

By 1829, Joseph Wheeler moved his business to a new location on the Lower Glanmire Road. Here, he built something called a patent slip. A patent slip is like a special ramp that can pull ships out of the water for repairs, making the work much easier and faster. While at this yard, Wheeler built several wooden ships. His biggest ship from this time was a 500-ton vessel named the Mary Hardy. Imagine how big a 500-ton ship would be!

The Rushbrooke Shipyard

In the 1850s, Joseph Wheeler moved his shipbuilding operations again. This time, he went to Rushbrooke, which is near Cobh. He built a brand new, special shipyard there. The most important part of this new yard was a very large drydock. A drydock is like a giant bathtub for ships. You float a ship into it, then drain the water, so workers can easily reach and repair the bottom of the ship. This amazing drydock was designed by a famous engineer named Sir John Rennie the Younger.

Where Joseph Wheeler Lived

Joseph Wheeler lived in different places in Cork during his life. In 1842, he lived at 20 Grand Parade in Cork city. Later, in 1867, records show that he lived at a place called Westlands in Queenstown (which is now known as Cobh).