Ramsgate
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a watering place and seaport of Kent, England, on the Isle of Thanet; 72 miles E. by S. of London. From a small fishing village it began to increase in importance during the 18th century through successful trade with Russia and the East country, and through the formation here (1750-1795) of a harbor of refuge for the Downs. That harbor, 51 acres in extent, has a sea entrance 250 feet wide, is inclosed on the E. and W. by two piers 670 and 520 yards long. Among its special features are an obelisk marking the spot where George IV. in 1821 embarked for Hanover, a beautiful Roman Catholic church by the Pugins, a Benedictine monastery, college, and convent, and a Jewish synagogue and college erected by Sir Moses Montefiore, who, like the elder Pugin, was a resident. To the N. is Broadstairs, and to the W. Pegwell Bay, with Ebbsfleet, the landing place of St. Augustine, and also, traditionally, of Hengist and Horsa. Here, too, is Osengall Hill, with an early Saxon cemetery. It was bombarded several times during the World War by German naval vessels. Pop. about 30,000. RANCÉ, ARMAND JEAN LE BOUTHILLIER DE, the founder of the reformed order of La Trappe; born in Paris, France, Jan. 9, 1626. He embraced the ecclesiastical profession, and held no fewer than six benefices. Residing at Paris, he gave himself up to a life of dissipation. In 1657, however, a marked change took place in his character. He demitted all his benefices except the priory of Boulogne and the abbey of La Trappe. Retiring to the latter place in 1664, he began those reforms which have rendered his name famous (see LA TRAPPE). He died in Soligny-la-Trappe, Orne, France, Oct. 12, 1700.
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's noted in 1921 that Ramsgate had been "bombarded several times during the World War by German naval vessels" — and worse followed, for in the Second World War the town was heavily bombed and shelled from across the Channel, sheltering thousands in tunnels cut beneath it, while in May 1940 the harbour of refuge described here became one of the main departure points for the little ships that evacuated Dunkirk. The 1750-1795 harbour, granted the title Royal Harbour after the very embarkation of George IV that the obelisk commemorates, still stands but now serves yachts and pleasure craft rather than trade; cross-Channel ferry services out of Ramsgate ran in the later 20th century and have since ceased, and the hoverport at Pegwell Bay closed in the 1980s. The Pugin church singled out as "beautiful" is St Augustine's, built by A. W. N. Pugin beside his own house, and it is now a Grade I listed national shrine to the saint who is said to have landed nearby. Population has grown modestly, to roughly 40,000.
Written for this edition, 2026.