Fisherman’s Cottage: History

Fisherman’s Cottage was built in about 1817 by the same William Colenutt who made the path through the Chine. He was also the first to operate bathing machines. In 1845 the cottage was leased to his son-in-law, James Sampson.

Members of the Colenutt family occupied the cottage until 1960 when, during a terrible storm, Miss Colenutt was rescued from her kitchen two feet deep in water by Charlie Spencer of the Chine Inn, who luckily heard her bell ringing for help in the middle of the afternoon. The Chine, too, suffered extensive damage, necessitating substantial and expensive repairs.

Today, Fisherman’s Cottage is a free house.

Hot Brine Baths

James Sampson provided visitors with hot brine baths, which were considered very beneficial in those days.
Sea water was piped to a large tank and then heated in a copper boiler. The bath was moved in 1970 to inside the lower entrance.

In addition to these activities, James Sampson became the first Clerk to Shanklin Local Board, established in 1863.