The Telegraph property pages column
Making the Grade this week covers Chesapeake mill in Hampshire.
As the article explains, the mill includes timbers from the American
frigate Chesapeake, which the British navy captured off Boston in 1813.
John Prior purchased the wood from the gun deck for £3450 when the ship
was scrapped in 1819, and used it in his mills' construction.
The article's is a bit low on information on the current status of the
mill - Hampshire council who have owned it since 1998 are looking to sell
it (probably in the form of a lease), and the article points out that
there were various potential buyers, including proposals to run it as a
museum, and also simply for a commercial retail operation. I'd understood
the retail proposal had won out - so I'm not sure if this is sloppy
reporting, or does indicate that the battle is not lost.
The (prospective?) new owners Taylor Haimes Ltd, submitted their
planning application
W14232/07 - 03/03005/FUL for
Change of use from manufacture, storage and distribution to (A1) Retail
(public and wholesale) and storage of antiques, furniture, decorative
items and general household goods/effects, with ancillary offices and
museum
on 16 December 2003.
A visit to Chesapeake Mill