Swaythling passenger cars in the UK, leaving the Southampton made Transit as their only British-made vehicle. In 2009, with the new Kocaeli, Turkey, plant in full production, Ford reluctantly halved production at Southampton and reduced the workforce to just over 500. Employing 500 workers, the factory produced up to 35,000 Transit chassis/cab variant vehicles annually, of which 50% were exported. The Ford Southampton plant closed on 26 July 2013. The very first branch of the DIY chain B&Q was opened in Swaythling in 1969. The shop was owned by Messrs Block and Quayle. Swaythling railway station is on the main line
Edward Quayle between Douglas and Liverpool through the winter months, a hazardous undertaking in a small ship of 150 tons, battling the numerous winter storms of the Irish Sea. On 25 March 1835, under the command of Capt. Quayle, the "Queen of the Isle" was involved in a collision with the "Irishman" in the Mersey Estuary. On 26 July 1839, "Mona Isle" rescued the crew of "Nancy", which was wrecked on the Pollock Rocks, in Douglas Bay. Quayle was awarded a silver medal by Lloyd's of London for his actions. Following Capt. Gill's retirement from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company