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Harbour View Estate, HOLYHEAD, LL65 2HL

Capt John Macgregor Skinner RN, was a one-eyed, one armed, mariner born in America in 1760. (It's interesting how many of Anglesey's great figures - soldiers, sailors, preachers - were one-eyed or one armed or one-legged). After serving with the British navy in the American War of Independence, Skinner became master of a succession of Post Office operated Holyhead to Dublin mail boats. In 1832 he was washed overboard near the North Stack and drowned. A popular man, the townsfolk commemorated him by erecting this obelisk. In the wake of the tragedy a Board of Inquiry recommended the transfer of the packet service from the Post Office to the Admiralty. This is why the pier from which the ferries used to sail became known as the Admiralty Pier. Image

Overlooking Holyhead Harbour.

Capt John Skinner was born in New Jersey, USA, c.1760. He lost an arm while fighting with the Royal Navy in the American War of Independence, then lost an eye while serving in the Caribbean. Moving to Holyhead, he became master of packet ships crossing the Irish Sea and campaigned for improvements to the service and the ships’ condition. He died in 1832 when he was washed overboard from his ship, called Escape, while sailing from Howth to Holyhead. His mate drowned in trying to rescue him.

Captain MacGregor Skinner was born in the Province of New Jersey, North America in 1760. He joined the Royal Navy in 1776 and was an officer on the HMS Phoenix during the American War of Independence during which he lost an arm in combat. He with the Navy until 1793 when he entered the Post Office shipping service. Captain Skinner served as master on packet ships crossing the Irish Sea and campaigned vigorously to improve the management of the Post Office service and the condition of their ships. Unfortunately, he lost his life, aged 70, when washed overboard from his ship the Escape in 1832. Well loved and respected by the people of Holyhead, Skinner had been in public service for 59 years and this obelisk to his memory was erected by public subscription on a dominating crag of rock overlooking Holyhead harbour. It bears the words: "This monument was erected by his numerous friends to the memory of John Macgregor Skinner, R.N., and for 33 years captain of one of the post office packets on this station, in testimony of his virtues, and their affectionate remembrance of him in his public capacity. He was distinguished for zeal, intrepidity and fidelity. In private life he was a model of unvarying friendship, disinterested kindness and unbounded charity. MDCCCXXXII." As well as commemorating a significant character in Holyhead's maritime history it provides a highly visible landmark for mariners approaching the harbour. http://www.holyhead.com/captainskinner/index.html Holyhead.com http://holyheadmaritimemuseum.co.uk/index.php/exhibits/captain-skinner Holyhead Maritime Museum

- Pillbox (variant): DoB ID: S0008121 A circular pillbox known as a Welsh 'mini-castle' stands on a high point near to Skinner's Monument, its loopholes cover the town and Inner Harbour. Built of local stone, it has a low door protected by a blast wall, whilst the roof is of reinforced concrete with stones on top giving it a castellated appearance. This mini-castle is the only one remaining in the Holyhead Harbour area, and has been listed by CADW. This pillbox design has also been used extensively in the Trearddur Bay area. Image

- Pillbox (variant): DoB ID: S0008121 Interior view. Image

Looking east from Turkey Shore Road. http://historypoints.org/index.php?page=holyhead-captain-skinner-monument

Capt John Macgregor Skinner RN, was a one-eyed, one armed, mariner born in America in 1760. (It's interesting that many of Anglesey's great figures - soldiers, sailors, preachers - were one-eyed, one armed or one-legged). After serving with the British navy in the American War of Independence, Skinner became master of a succession of Post Office operated Holyhead to Dublin mail boats. In 1832 he was washed overboard near the North Stack and drowned. A popular man, the townsfolk commemorated him by erecting this obelisk. In the wake of the tragedy a Board of Inquiry recommended the transfer of the packet service from the Post Office to the Admiralty. This is why the pier from which the ferries used to sail became known as the Admiralty Pier. Image

This benchmark can be found on the NW side of Turkey Shore Road in Holyhead. For more details see: http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm45328