There were a number of shipbuilders and

shipwrights Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and other floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to befor ...

called Philemon Ewer in the villages of

Bursledon Bursledon is a village on the River Hamble in Hampshire, England. It is located within the borough of Eastleigh. Close to the city of Southampton, Bursledon has a railway station, a marina, dockyards and the Bursledon Windmill. Nearby village ...

and

Hamble Hamble may refer to: * The River Hamble in Hampshire, England * Hamble aerodrome on the banks of the River Hamble. ** Hamble-Warsash Ferry, a ferry service on the River Hamble * Hamble-le-Rice, a village on the river Hamble, close to the city of Sou ...

in the

River Hamble The River Hamble is located in south Hampshire, England. It rises near Bishop's Waltham and flows for through Botley, Bursledon, and Lower Swanwick before entering Southampton Water between Hamble Common and Warsash. The Hamble is tida ...

area of

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in western South East England on the coast of the English Channel. Home to two major English cities on its south coast, Southampton and Portsmouth, Hampshire ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe ...

during the 18th century.

The Master Shipbuilder

The 'Master' shipbuilder was Philemon Ewer (19 July 1702 – 13 December 1750). He was a timber merchant and builder of small boats but gained an opportunity through the outbreak of the '

War of Jenkins' Ear The War of Jenkins' Ear, or , was a conflict lasting from 1739 to 1748 between Britain and the Spanish Empire. The majority of the fighting took place in New Granada and the Caribbean Sea, with major operations largely ended by 1742. It is con ...

' to build

Men of War ''Men of War'' is a real-time tactics video game franchise, based mainly in World War II. Main series Soldiers: Heroes of World War II ''Soldiers: Heroes of World War II'' is the original game of the 'Men of War' series, and uses an early GE ...

for the British government in 1739. He also had a shipyard in

East Cowes East Cowes is a town and civil parish in the north of the Isle of Wight, on the east bank of the River Medina, next to its west bank neighbour Cowes. The two towns are connected by the Cowes Floating Bridge, a chain ferry operated by the Isle ...

on the

Isle of Wight The Isle of Wight ( ) is a county in the English Channel, off the coast of Hampshire, from which it is separated by the Solent. It is the largest and second-most populous island of England. Referred to as 'The Island' by residents, the Is ...

. He was buried at St Leonards in Bursledon on 16 December 1750 and has an elaborate memorial which records:

In Memory of MR PHILEMON EWER, who died the 13th day of December A.D. 1750 aged 49 Years. During the late war with France & Spain He build Seven large Ships of war for His Majesty's Service. In the Execution of that important Trust He gained, and deserved, the Reputation of an ingenious Artist and excellent workman and an honest Man. All his Undertakings were crowned with Success, And all his Industry justly rewarded With a fair Character & a plentiful Fortune; The first of which he left for ye Imitation The second for the Support & Enjoyment Of his numerous Family; who in Gratitude erected This Monument A:D: 1754

His seven ships were:

He also built a large house in the village from the proceeds. It was called 'Elm Lodge' at the time but is now known as 'Greyladyes' and is home to the 'Greyladyes Arts Foundation
Google Maps Link
There is also an 18th-century house called 'Ewers' on Lands End Road in Bursledon that was owned by the family
Google Maps link

Other Philemon Ewers

* The Master Shipbuilder's father (died 1730) ''Built trading ships mainly at

'' * The Master Shipbuilder's son (1735 - 1797) ''Seems to have been known as 'Captain' (most likely due to his position in the local militia) and lived at 'Elm Lodge' in Bursledo
Google Maps Link
He does appear to have continued building smaller ships for the navy up to at least 1757 and left provision for his eldest son to be placed under an eminent shipwright in his will'' * The Master Shipbuilder's nephew (1726 - 1792) ''Lived at 'Upcott House' in Bursledo
Google Maps Link
- Owned sloops for trading purposes and was also a maltster and timber merchant. He is recorded as offering to build ships for the navy''. * Both the Master shipbuilder's son and nephew had a son together named Philemon.

References

* HOLLAND,A.J. Ships of British Oak: The Rise and Decline of Wooden Shipbuilding in Hampshire Newton Abbot, David & Charles. 1971.() UK National Archives''

* 1750 Philemon Ewer (Master Shipbuilder) Will - Reference 'PROB 11/785' * 1797 Philemon Ewer (Son of Master Shipbuilder) Will - Reference 'PROB 11/1287' * There are a number of letters referring to Philemon Ewer in the 'ADM' series

External links

Philemon Ewer at Maritime Memorials

Greyladyes Arts Foundation (House built by 'The Master Shipbuilder')

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ewer, Philemon English shipbuilders 1702 births 1750 deaths People from Bursledon