Name

Bridge House, Castletown

Description

The administrative and commercial heart of pre-Revestment Mann. Standing on the harbour at Castletown, Bridge House served as the office of the Clerk of the Rolls — the Duke's principal administrative officer. John Quayle conducted the lordship's business from here, with windows looking out over the water where ships from Rotterdam and Barcelona discharged their cargoes. His grandson George Quayle ran Quayle's Bank from the same building, and in 1789 built a concealed dock beneath it to house the armed yacht Peggy — with sea gates opening directly onto the harbour, winding gear, concealed cupboards, secret doorways, and mechanical alarm bells. The Peggy was discovered in 1935, the oldest surviving yacht in the world.

Active Period

c.1700–present

Place

Castletown

Type

Administration

Commerce

Heritage Site

Book Chapter

Chapter 6