Draft:Battle of Southsea

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The Battle of Southsea was a significant civil disturbance in Portsmouth, England, during the summer of 1874. This conflict arose from deep-seated class tensions and the public's determination to protect their historic rights to Southsea Common and its adjacent beach. The Southsea Pier Company's attempt to privatize a portion of this public land without proper authorization from democratic authorities led to a four-day riot, marking a pivotal moment in the city's social history.

Background

Portsmouth, with origins likely dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, has long been a centre of maritime activity and working-class life. In contrast, Southsea was a more recent development, transformed from farmlands into an exclusive suburb between 1830 and 1850, largely through the efforts of Thomas Ellis Owen. Designed as a holiday destination for the elite, Southsea became a symbol of gentrification, where the wealthy could enjoy leisure activities away from the industrial and working-class environment of nearby Portsmouth.

Southsea Common, a large open area near the shore, was central to the community, providing a crucial space for public gatherings and leisure. This common land had been historically accessible to everyone, with an ancient right of way allowing free movement across the land to the beach. The encroachment by the Southsea Pier Company was seen as a direct threat to this tradition.

Causes of the conflict

The conflict was ignited by the Southsea Pier Company's decision to erect a barrier that cut off access to the beach from Southsea Common. This move was part of an effort to create exclusive facilities for Southsea's elite, who wished to separate themselves from the working-class residents of Portsmouth, particularly those who bathed in the sea after long days of labour. In an attempt to bypass local democratic processes, the Pier Company sought to purchase the common land directly from the War Department, thereby sidestepping local authorities and public consultation. This effort to privatize a public resource exacerbated the tensions between the classes.

Ancient right of way

The ancient right of way across Southsea Common was a crucial public entitlement that had been respected for generations. It allowed residents and visitors alike to access the beach freely, symbolizing the community’s collective rights over the land. The Southsea Pier Company's attempt to block this right of way was perceived as not just a physical obstruction but an attempt to privatize a public resource, sparking a fierce response from the local populace.

Battle

The conflict began in earnest in May 1874 when the barrier was first erected. Local councillor Barney Miller, a staunch defender of working-class rights, immediately organized a public meeting and called for the barrier's removal in a workmanlike manner. On the first night, the barrier was dismantled, with only minor scuffles occurring between the protesters and authorities. However, as the barrier was re-erected and removed repeatedly, tensions escalated.

By August 5, crowds began to gather on Southsea Common in growing numbers. Over the next few nights, the situation worsened, with increasing hostility leading to violence. Stones were thrown at the police, windows of the Southsea Assembly Rooms were smashed, and eventually, the barrier's remnants were set on fire, symbolizing the public’s rejection of the Pier Company’s actions.

By Saturday, August 8, the unrest had reached a peak. The Mayor of Portsmouth, George Edward Kent, read the Riot Act in an attempt to restore order. Instead of dispersing, the crowd responded defiantly, setting fire to a barrel outside the Assembly Rooms. The police, bolstered by special constables and soldiers, struggled to contain the violence, resulting in several injuries and arrests.

One notable incident involved Isaac Phillips, a dockyard labourer who was arrested while carrying an axe during the riots. Despite sustaining injuries himself, Phillips was sentenced to three months of hard labour by Andrew Nance, a magistrate and director of the Southsea Pier Company. The harshness of the sentence was widely criticized, leading to demands for judicial reform.

Social and Political Context

The Battle of Southsea was rooted in the broader social and political dynamics of Victorian Portsmouth. Southsea, as a deliberately designed suburb for the elite, contrasted sharply with the working-class neighbourhoods of Portsmouth. The creation of Southsea itself was part of a larger gentrification process, transforming once common farmlands into an exclusive holiday destination. This backdrop of class segregation and economic disparity set the stage for the conflict.

Figures like Barney Miller and Manoah Jepps emerged as leaders of the working-class resistance, defending public rights against what they saw as the encroachment of the wealthy elite. Portsmouth's radical political tradition, which had long championed the rights of the working class, was clearly visible in the public's response to the Pier Company’s actions.

Aftermath and legacy

The Battle of Southsea highlighted the deep social divisions within Portsmouth and the ongoing struggle over public land. The riots were not just about a piece of land; they were a symbolic battle over who had the right to access and enjoy public spaces. The event is remembered as a key moment in Portsmouth's history, representing the resilience and determination of the working class to protect their rights in the face of privatization efforts by the elite.

The events of the battle were immortalized in a painting by W.H. Dugan, commissioned by Charles Organ, the landlord of the Barley Mow pub. This artwork, now housed in the Portsmouth Museum, vividly depicts the chaos and violence of the riots, featuring caricatures of key figures such as Barney Miller, Inspector Richard Barber, and colourful local characters like Mother Bray and Captain Armstrong.

References

• Field, J. L. (1981). The Battle of Southsea. The Portsmouth Papers, No. 34. Portsmouth City Council.
• Portsmouth Central Library. (1929). When the Riot Act was Read: Local memories of the Battle of Southsea.
• Portsmouth City Museum. (n.d.). Ye Battle of Southsea painting by W.H. Dugan.