The Emma
Built in Rye in 1853 bv Hessell & Holmes, Shipbuilders

Shipbuilding has been very important for hundreds of years. In 1377, when a fleet of 20 ships took troops to the Hundred Years War four of them were built in Rye. Most were about 40 tons, but the 1,000 ton “Regent”, 'built at Smallhythe, was fitted out in Rye for Henry VIII. Another, of 150 tons, the “Hercules”, was built and crewed in Rye to go on the Cadiz expedition in 1596. The peak of the shipbuilding industry was in the mid-19th century. Between 1852 and 1856, 26 vessels, including Schooners and brigantines, were built. In 1856, 3 mortar boats were built for use in the Crimean War. By the 1870’s the main ships built were fishing vessels and sailing trawlers, especially for the North Sea ports.

During the last war extensions to the jetties, slipways and a turntable were built. G&T Smith built 8 MFV’s ( Motor Fishing Vessels ) for sweeping for magnetic mines. At least 2 were sent to Singapore for the war with Japan. All the associated trades were well established in Rye such as chandlers, blacksmiths and sail-makers, and from the latter part of the 19th century, iron founders. It is a sail-maker's loft that now houses the Heritage Centre and Tourist Office.

Although shipbuilding is less significant today, small craft, now mainly fiberglass, and RNLI boats, are built along Rock Channel.

Rye's mariners have always been intrepid. A Rye ship went on a voyage of exploration to Brazil in 1539; a sailor went with Captain Hawkins to Guinea in 1567 and yet another went with Drake on his round the world voyage from 1577-80.

A Rye ship, the 'Cadborough' was bought by the Hudson Bay Company and used to explore and map
the coast of British Colombia, and another became the first European ship to sail direct to Chicago in
1859. Emigrant ships from Rye took local settlers to Rye, New Hampshire in the 1620's; Rye, New York in the 1670's, and to Rye and Winchelsea, New South Wales, Australia, in the 1830's and 40's.