Barrow Island

Barrow Island
Lancashire
Tenements on Barrow Island
Location
Location:	54°6’12"N, 3°13’57"W
Grid reference:	SD195682
Data
Population:	2,616  (2011)

Barrow Island is a built-up island forming part of the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Lancashire. Barrow island is counted as one of the Islands of Furness although it has not been a real island since the 1980s when part of the Devonshire Dock was filled in to provide land for the building of Devonshire Dock Hall. Its distinct identity as a place and its name remains as a council ward, the population of which was 2,616 at the 2011 Census.

The name of the town of Barrow-in-Furness is believed to derive from the Norse word Barrae, meaning Bare Island, which actually referred to Barrow Island. Since the 1860s the island has been connected to the mainland as its channel was modified to form two docks, the Buccleuch Dock and the Devonshire Dock. The remainder of its channel has also now been developed as part of the dock system. The Island is also known as 'Old Barrow'.

The Second World War defences constructed around Barrow Island have been documented by William Foot. They included a number of pillboxes to defend the docks. The principal threat was seizure of the docks by airborne troops; a seaborne landing was thought to be highly unlikely unless Ireland were occupied first.

The island is home to Barrow Shipyard, owned now by BAE Systems. Former owners include The Barrow Iron Ship-Building Company, Vickers Shipbuilding, VSEL and Marconi Marine (VSEL), which became part of BAE in 1999. The shipyard remains one of the largest in the United Kingdom, rivalled only by that of Govan in Lanarkshire. The island also forms a major part of the Port of Barrow, owned by Associated British Ports. A large portion of The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness is planned to be constructed on Barrow Island.

References

• Foot, William (2006). Beaches, fields, streets, and hills ... the anti-invasion landscapes of England, 1940. Council for British Archaeology. ISBN 1-902771-53-2.