Skinner’s Monument

Born in 1760 in New Jersey, USA, Captain John Macgregor Skinner fought for the British, as a member of the Royal Navy, in the American War of Independence – losing an arm in process; he would also later lose an eye while serving in the Caribbean. Upon leaving the navy, Skinner moved to Holyhead where he became master of packet ships crossing the Irish Sea. In a report from around the date of the 1832 sinking of one such vessel, Escape, during which Skinner lost his life, a post-script is often added recounting a story of his maritime skill:

In 1807, he astonished seasoned mariners by successfully bringing his ship into Holyhead harbour during an exceptionally severe gale; Captain Skinner had to navigate, under sail, past numerous rocks and small islands to enter the harbour which was, at that date, much less well protected.

 
While we haven’t been able to find any original supporting evidence of this tale, there is no doubting the affection the people of Holyhead had for the man whose monument carries the words:

This monument was erected by his numerous friends to the memory of John Macgregor Skinner, R.N., and for 33 years captain of one of the post office packets on this station, in testimony of his virtues, and their affectionate remembrance of him in his public capacity. He was distinguished for zeal, intrepidity and fidelity. In private life, he was a model of unvarying friendship, disinterested kindness and unbounded charity. MDCCCXXXII (1832).

 
There is a permanent exhibition dedicated to Captain Skinner at the Holyhead Maritime Museum.

Accessible year round
The site is open and accessible year round.