© F.Coakley , 2019
30th September 1919
To Government; Secretary, Douglas
Sir,
The Industrial Superintendent begs to submit the final report of the Industrial
Department of Knockaloe Detention Camp in the form of a general survey of the
work from the beginning
A few months after the Knockaloe Camp was occupied, signs became evident of
mental and physical deterioration among the internees due to a large extent
to lack of occupation. with a view to arresting this permission was granted
by the Insular Government to the Friends' Emergency Committee to organise occupations
among the prisoners through the agency of that committee's Industrial Adviser
who for that purpose took up his residence in the Island.
Part of the hall in each of the 23 compounds was divided off and utilised as
workshops and the Friends' Emergency Committee loaned tools and equipment free
of charge and supplied materials at cost price.
An Industrial Committee was formed in each of the four camps constituted of one elected representative of each Compound Workshop together with a secretary, accountant, and chairman.
The bulk of the craftwork produced at first was of a fancy goods nature and was disposed of through the Committee in Great Britain, United States of America, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden.
Later it became increasingly difficult to dispose of fancy goods but opportunely at this time enquiries and orders of a more commercial and utilitarian character presented themselves, which led to the Government Secretary making the wise proposal to establish officially a Government Industrial Department. This proposal was carried out and the Friends' Emergency Committee very generously lent the services of their Industrial adviser to act as honorary Industrial Superintendent of the Industrial Department.
The Government Secretary's proposal not only made it possible to continue occupations for the prisoners of war but assisted the general public to get work done for which labour was not available.
The Industrial Department commenced its activities in March 1918 and continued to the end of September 1919.
The total output is indicated on the appended sheet of Statistics.
It may be of interest to notice in detail some of the kinds of work which have
been practiced.
Basket making was begun in Camp III with three skilled men, these taught others until at one period over 100 men were employed. Hand baskets and fruit hampers formed the bulk of the osier goods made in addition to clothes baskets, butchers and bakers baskets etc. A large number of wicker and cane chairs , waste paper baskets, desk trays, lobster pots etc. were also made.
The difficulty exprienced in securing osiers led to the Island being searched with the result that quantities if wild sallow Willows were cut and proved to to be a usable substitute, particularly a second crop following the first cutting operations.
By invitation of the Insular Government Mr. H. F. Hutchinson, B.Sc. the osier expert of the Board of Agriculture, London, surveyed the Island's derelict land (estimated to number approximately 5000 acres) and resulted in a report from him directly favourable to willow cultivation as a promising Island industry which would ensure the success of basketmaking as a further Island industry.
Government office has a quantity of valuable data upon this matter in its possession and the Industrial Superintendent reiterates his conviction that these two industries can be made to immensely benefit the Island.
It is of interest to note that through the enterprize of Mr. Geo D.Wildig of Douglas a start has been made in basketmaking at Peel.
With the dissolution of Camp III the basket works were transferred to Camp I, and only closed down at the end of August 1919.
Watch and clock repairs were carried out in all four camps, the total number passing through the Department reaching 17195 jobs in addition to 2538 jewellery and engraving jobs. The work was done for firms in the Isle of Man, England, Wales, and Ireland.
Tailoring accounted for 2230 jobs and was carried on in all four Camps, the greater part of the work was executed for Insular firms.
The 19373 pairs of socks were machine knitted in special huts set apart for the purpose in Camp II, where in addition to the cylinder knitting machines several other ingenious machines were improvised for dealing with details of the work.
An additional large amount of work was done for the Quarter Master in these shops and quantities of old socks were unwound and remade for the aliens themselves .
Hand loom weaving was one of the interesting industries is which some amount of educational work was combined with the Industrial effort. Four hand looms, a warping mill and several other pieces of weaving plant were constructed in Camp and were finally purchased by the Manx Industries Association.
General wood working and cabinet making was the industry in which possibly most men had a part, it being practised in every one of the 23 compounds.
Later in Camp IV central furniture workshops were established and the Friends' Emergency Committee through the generosity of Mr. Geo Sykes of Birmingham were able to instal wood working machines driven by electrical power.
The installation of this machinery made it possible to execute work in Manx hardwoods and among the products should be mentioned 122 folding kitchen tables, 36 collapsible linen cupboards and 25 buffet cupboards which were despatched to the Friends' War Victims' Relief Committee for distribution among the French peasants in Verdun area as the devastated homesteads were reclaimed.
I cannot close this report without expressing my appreciation of the ready assistance accorded to me in the conduct of a difficult task by the Government Secretary, Mr. Sergeaunt, and the staff of Government Office, by the Commandants and Staff of the Camp, and for the generous support given in so many ways by the Friends' Emergency Committee.
I must also give my testimony to the untiring labours and loyalty of the prisoners of war who carried out the clerical work of the Industrial Superintendent's Office and to those who so ably assisted in the running of the respective Camp Industrial Committees.
I have the honour, Sir, to submit this record of the Industrial Department's activities to you and trust its work may be considered in every way satisfactory. I am, Sir
Your obedient servant
Industrial Superintendent James T Baily
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Editor © F.Coakley , 2019 |
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