Jacob's Pill
A shipbuilding yard once stood at Jacob’s Pill. The most notable vessel to be built here was the 'Hiei', which was constructed for the Japanese Navy by Sir Edward Reed, former chief constructor for the Royal Navy.
Hiei was first commanded by Lt. Hechahiro Togo who had qualified as an officer with the Royal Navy. He later became Supreme Commander of the Japanese Grand Fleet.
An early map showing the lay-out of Jacob's Pill shipbuilding yard
All that remains of the Jacob’s Pill Yard today is the crumbling dock gate and an ivy-covered ruin that was once the mould loft and later an isolation hospital. During World War Two this building was used as an equipment and ammunition store, supplying the local anti-aircraft batteries.
