How Britannia helped to keep Devonport afloat

THE 1980s were difficult for Devonport.

- CHRIS ROBINSON

Historically, war has always oiled the money-go-round and the lack of it spelled economic issues for the community. The Falklands provided a mini boost but overall the situation was a challenging one.In the late 1930s there had been some 15,000 men working in the dockyard. Just after the Second World War the numbers had hit 21,000 but by 1981 that number had dipped back to prewar levels.

Then, in 1984 Peter Levene, advisor to Defence Secretary Michael Helsetine, recommended that private companies should take over the management of Devonport and of Rosyth Dockyards.

The following year Michael Heseltine was in Plymouth, determined to privatise the dockyard: "I am not getting value for money", he said, "and I will get value for money".

In 1986, 12,000 Devonport Dockyard workers walked out in protest over the proposed privatisation of the yard. Nevertheless, in 1987, the government leased Devonport Dockyard and its facilities to Devonport Management Limited (DML) who lost little time in shedding 3,000 jobs.