The Powder Monkey

The name of this Wetherspoon pub recalls Nancy Perriam, who lived in nearby Tower Street and was a powder monkey. A powder monkey was naval slang for boys - and in this case Nancy - who filled shells and cartridges with gunpowder on board ships of war.

Nancy lived in nearby Tower Street until 1865, when she died in her 98th year. As well as sewing shirts and sails, Nancy acted as a powder monkey, working alongside the gunners on board the Crescent and the Orion. Nancy Perriam's career was unusual. While female sailors were not unknown, they usually went to sea initially in male disguise.