Quick facts for kids HM Dockyard, Chatham |
Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. It was established in Chatham in the mid-16th century. The dockyard was then expanded into neighbouring Gillingham. Chatham Dockyards and its Defences are part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
It existed after the Reformation. It was at a time when relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, which increased the need for additional defences.
For 414 years, 500 ships were made available for the Royal Navy because of Chatham Royal Dockyard. It was at the forefront of shipbuilding, industrial and architectural technology. At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans. It covered 400 acres (1.6 km2).
Chatham Dockyard was closed in 1984. The 84 acres (34 ha) Georgian dockyard is now managed as the Chatham Historic Dockyard. It is a visitor attraction by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
Gallery
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Masthouses and Mould Loft
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Lower Boat House and North Mast Pond
Images for kids
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Engraving of "Chatham Dockyard from Fort Pitt" from Ireland's History of Kent, Vol. 4, 1831. Facing p. 349. Drawn by G. Sheppard, engraved by R. Roffe.
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Dutch Attack on the Medway, June 1667 by Pieter Cornelisz van Soest, painted c. 1667. The captured ship Royal Charles is right of centre.
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1884 map, showing the 'Royal Dock Yard' (centre) with the river to the west, new extension to the north, barracks and fortifications to the east.
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Armour plating being fitted to HMS Royal Oak at Chatham, c. 1862.
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HMS Empress of India in No 8 Dock, with No 1 Boiler Shop in the background, c. 1897.
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Plate-bending roller, installed in No 5 Machine Shop in 1913 and now preserved at the Historic Dockyard.
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The Dockyard extension viewed from Upnor, c.1910.
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Navy Day at HMNB Chatham, c.1977
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Rennie's No 3 Dock of 1816–21; today it contains HMS Ocelot, the last Royal Navy vessel built at Chatham.
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The topsail schooner Julia visiting the middle basin in 2006; behind her is the St Mary's Island housing estate
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The Commissioner's House (1704), was built for Captain George St Lo, who found the previous house unsuitable. It remains the oldest surviving naval building in England.
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The Ordnance Storekeeper's house at the heart of the former Gun Wharf
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The Library (former machine shop)
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Surviving 1757 block from the original Infantry Barracks
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Kitchener Barracks (1950s extension, demolished in 2017).
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The Royal Marine Barracks in the Second World War.
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Royal School of Military Engineering (1872) and Boer War Memorial Arch (1902) at Brompton Barracks.
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The Garrison Church of St Barbara in Maxwell Road continues to serve Brompton Barracks.
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HMS Pembroke: former officers' quarters
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No 3 Covered Slip (interior)
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No 6 Covered Slip (interior)
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No 7 Covered Slip (interior)
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Slip covers viewed from the river
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South Dock pumping station
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The Commissioner's House (garden view)
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The entrance to the Ice House
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The Edwardian conservatory
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The Main Gate from outside
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The Main Gate from inside
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Assistant Queen's Harbourmaster's Office
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Dockyard Church (interior)
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The Captain of the Dockyard's House and flagstaff
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Anchor Wharf Store Houses
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Hemp Houses and Hatchelling House
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Hemp Houses and Double Ropewalk
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Double Ropewalk and Black Yarn House to right
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Expanse of water in No 2 Basin
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View down the length of the former No 7 Dock towards No 1 Basin (now Chatham Marina)
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Remains of No 8 Machine Shop with No 1 Boiler Shop behind it
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Dock pumping station (its 80 ft chimney, formerly on the plinth to the right, has been removed)
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Bell Mast on Leviathan Way
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Combined Ship Trade Office
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Former No 1 Boiler Shop (with clock)
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Former No 1 Boiler Shop (interior)
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