Whitehaven is a Georgian planned town (one of Britain's first planned towns, with a grid iron pattern of streets). It boasts almost as many links with America as it does with the rest of England. Rich coal reserves were mined and transported to Ireland. This coal trade led in turn to ship building and a direct involvement in trade with the newly founded Colonies in what was to become the USA. The port also had to defend itself and its ships against raiders and had its own small fort.
Three of the leading figures in the American War of Independence had connections with Whitehaven. These were George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Paul Jones. To learn more see our site Whitehaven's American Connections

Marina details Reeds Nautical Almanac for 1999 states: Tides +0015 Dover. Shelter, very good, entry safe in most weathers. A new marina makes Whitehaven one of the more accessible ports of refuge in north west England. Channel in outer is dredged to 1m. above cd giving access approximately 18 out of 24 hours. Sea lock is 30m. by 13.7m. Sill is cd. Maintains 5.5m in inner harbour. VHF channel 12-16. The marina and harbour have been redeveloped as part of the Renaissance of Whitehaven.

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