The British Empire and its effect on Plymouth

Prison Hulks in Hamaoze

The ship lacking masting (and probably a second in the distant right) are prison ships on the Hamoaze. A steamship to the rear shows that this is quite a late prison hulk picture, possibly 1830s. Prison hulks were still used as temporary holding prisons until ships were ready to take prisoners 'down under'. The last prison ships set sail in the 1860s. After transportation came to an end, Dartmoor Prison had to be reopened and began to take prisoners in lieu.

Empire in Your Backyard: Plymouth Article


by Stephen Luscombe