WELCOME!

This site provides some background information on this remarkable self-taught inventor and explorer, and explains the unique links he provides between the early development of what has become the gun turret, the construction of the Statue of Liberty and location of the Panama Canal. Revealed also is the curious link to the English author PG Wodehouse and his heroines!

Kennish took naval warfare out of the “Pirates of the Caribbean™” era of Broadsides and into precision gunnery, the likes of which had never been seen before.

Find out here the many facets to this talented man from the Victorian Era and then click on the menu The Book to follow the link to the book published in 2011 on William Kennish’s life story

William Kennish was born in Cornaa in the Isle of Man in 1799, and joined the Royal Navy in 1822 after being rebuffed by his sweetheart.

Initially unable to speak, read or write English and knowing only his native Manx Gaelic, within 7 years he had risen through the ranks to become the master carpenter to the Mediterranean Fleet.

 LATEST UPDATE: Completed replica theodolite here

20th April 2020 see details of the replica theodolite progress here

19th March 2020 see details of the new IOM Victorian Society website here

6th April 2019 - William Kennish to appear on stamps commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria! See here

JUNE 20th 2017 Tynwald, the government of the Isle of Man unanimously elect William Kennish to the  Manx Patriot’s Roll of Honour. 

The  Manx Patriot’s video also can be seen here.

The NEW MEMORIAL to William Kennish was placed and dedicated on Sunday March 19th 2017at Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.

Bob Stimpson                      Matthew Gregson                 Roy Moore

Author and Trustee             Monumental Mason              Trustee and

                                                             Kennish Great x 3 nephew

This photo of the finished memorial was taken on Saturday 18th February in Peel at Manx Memorial’s Yard, prior to it being crated up for shipment.

See the photos of the ceremony HERE!