The man who built a boat and a dock
Peggy was made for one of the best-recorded Manxmen of his age.
The Peggy is a real boat, built in Castletown in the Isle of Man. Every fact is in our own words with its source linked beside it. Where good sources disagree, we show each version.
Who he was
Manx National Heritage says George Quayle lived in Castletown from his birth in 1757 to his death in 1835. MNH statement of significance, 2021
He sat in the House of Keys, the Manx parliament’s elected house, for 51 years. National Historic Ships UK
He was a founding partner of an early Manx bank, George Quayle & Co., run from Bridge House. MNH statement of significance, 2021
During the wars with France from 1793 he was an officer in Manx forces raised to defend the Island. National Historic Ships UK
He was an enthusiastic inventor and traveller. National Historic Ships UK
Manx National Heritage calls him the most documented Manxman of the 18th century. Manx National Heritage, museum
When was he born?
National Historic Ships UK gives his dates as 1751 to 1835. National Historic Ships UK
A big family, a lot of paper
He was the eldest of thirteen children, nine of whom survived childhood. MNH statement of significance, 2021
He spoke fluent Italian, played music, and loved wordplay and sketching. MNH statement of significance, 2021
Four Quayle men held the office of Clerk of the Rolls at Castle Rushen: his grandfather, father, brother and nephew. MNH statement of significance, 2021
The Quayle family’s papers, thousands of documents, are in the Manx Museum. MNH statement of significance, 2021
They even record the colours of his phaeton carriage and his favourite inn in London. MNH statement of significance, 2021
His hat from the Manx Fencibles, worn as a captain, survives. MNH statement of significance, 2021
The harder history
Manx National Heritage notes that he was a businessman and politician during the Napoleonic Wars and at the height of the transatlantic slave trade. Manx National Heritage, museum
A boat and a home for it
The land beside Bridge House was bought specially for running a sailing boat, and the boathouse and private dock were built to suit the Peggy. MNH FAQs, 2024
She was built locally in 1789, together with her own dock and boathouse. MNH statement of significance, 2021
National Historic Ships UK names her builder as T. Kelly of Castletown. National Historic Ships UK
Quayle commissioned her for pleasure, with novel changes for speed. MNH statement of significance, 2021
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