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Chatham Dockyard facts for kids

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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

  • ChathamHDClocktower0059

    The Clocktower Building

  • ChathamHDYSail0004

    Sail and Colour Loft

  • ChathamHDBuses0014

    Timber Seasoning sheds

  • ChathamHDMastHouse0011

    Wheelwrights' shop

  • ChathamHDYM&MLoft0004

    Masthouses and Mould Loft

  • ChathamHDJoiners0070

    Joiners' Shop

  • North Mast Pond, Chatham Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 1152734

    Lower Boat House and North Mast Pond


Images for kids

  • The Royal Dockyard at Chatham, 1789

    The Dockyard as depicted by Robert Dodd in 1789

  • ChathamMedway

    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.

  • Van Soest, Attack on the Medway

    Dutch Attack on the Medway, June 1667 by Pieter Cornelisz van Soest, painted c. 1667. The captured ship Royal Charles is right of centre.

  • EW(1884) p.039 - Chatham - A + C Black (pub)

    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.

  • HMS Royal Oak (1862)

    Armour plating being fitted to HMS Royal Oak at Chatham, c. 1862.

  • HMS Empress of India Stern Drydock

    HMS Empress of India in No 8 Dock, with No 1 Boiler Shop in the background, c. 1897.

  • Machinery at Chatham Dockyard 2

    Plate-bending roller, installed in No 5 Machine Shop in 1913 and now preserved at the Historic Dockyard.

  • The dockyard Chatham England

    The Dockyard extension viewed from Upnor, c.1910.

  • Chatham Naval Dockyard (16433123107)

    Navy Day at HMNB Chatham, c.1977

  • Number 3 Dry Dock. Chatham

    Rennie's No 3 Dock of 1816–21; today it contains HMS Ocelot, the last Royal Navy vessel built at Chatham.

  • ChathamJulia&Basin

    The topsail schooner Julia visiting the middle basin in 2006; behind her is the St Mary's Island housing estate

  • Police Section House, Chatham Dockyard

    Police Section House, one of the Dockyard's many listed buildings

  • ChathamHDYCommissioners0004

    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.

  • ChathamMedway2657

    The Ordnance Storekeeper's house at the heart of the former Gun Wharf

  • Chatham Library, Gun Wharf, Chatham - geograph.org.uk - 674832

    The Library (former machine shop)

  • Brompton Barracks (geograph 5517020)

    Surviving 1757 block from the original Infantry Barracks

  • Barrack Block, Kitchener Barracks, Chatham - geograph.org.uk - 577164

    Kitchener Barracks (1950s extension, demolished in 2017).

  • The Royal Navy during the Second World War A2184

    The Royal Marine Barracks in the Second World War.

  • HQ Royal School of Military Engineering

    Royal School of Military Engineering (1872) and Boer War Memorial Arch (1902) at Brompton Barracks.

  • The Garrison Church of Saint Barbara, Maxwell Road, Brompton (1) - geograph.org.uk - 517097

    The Garrison Church of St Barbara in Maxwell Road continues to serve Brompton Barracks.

  • University of Greenwich, Pembroke. - geograph.org.uk - 584932

    HMS Pembroke: former officers' quarters

  • ChathamHDYBrunel0007

    Brunel Sawmill

  • ChathamCoveredSlipNo3

    No 3 Covered Slip

  • Chatham Dockyard Kent.Covered Slip Building predating Railway Stations of Victorian years.

    No 3 Covered Slip (interior)

  • Numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 Covered Slips, Chatham Historic Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 582029

    Nos 4-6 Covered Slips

  • Chatham Historic Dockyard covered slips

    No 6 Covered Slip (interior)

  • ChathamHDYCoveredS0005

    No 7 Covered Slip

  • ChathamHDYCoveredS0007

    No 7 Covered Slip (interior)

  • Covered Slips at Chatham Dockyard 2

    Slip covers viewed from the river

  • Chatham Clock Tower Building from HMS Cavalier

    No 2 Dry Dock

  • HMS Ocelot at Chatham 02

    No 3 Dry Dock

  • Chatham Gannet1878-001

    No 4 Dry Dock

  • ChathamHDPumping0067

    South Dock pumping station

  • Commissioners House, Chatham Dockyard

    Commissioner's House

  • ChathamHDYCommissioners0011

    The Commissioner's House (garden view)

  • ChathamHDYIceHouse0009

    The entrance to the Ice House

  • Greenhouse at Chatham Historic Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 1355430

    The Edwardian conservatory

  • ChathamHDYOfficersTerr0006

    Officers' Terrace

  • Stables, Chatham Historic Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 580262

    The Officers' Stables

  • ChathamDockyardGate2761

    The Main Gate from outside

  • Chatham Dockyard Gatehouse

    The Main Gate from inside

  • The Bell Mast, Main Gate Road, Chatham Historic Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 1354632

    The bell mast

  • ChathamHDYGate0009

    The Guardhouse

  • ChathamHDY0049

    The Cashier's Office

  • Assistant Queen's Harbour Master's Office, Chatham Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 1397225

    Assistant Queen's Harbourmaster's Office

  • Dockyard Church, Chatham - geograph.org.uk - 1397163

    Dockyard Church

  • ChathamHDYChurch0009

    Dockyard Church (interior)

  • ChathamHDAdmirals0042

    The Admiral's Office

  • Captain of the Dockard's House, Chatham Dockyard

    The Captain of the Dockyard's House and flagstaff

  • ChathamHDAnchorWharf0038

    Anchor Wharf Store Houses

  • ChathamHDYRopery0004

    Hemp Houses and Hatchelling House

  • ChathamHDYRopery0009

    Hemp Houses and Double Ropewalk

  • ChathamHDYRopery0021

    Double Ropewalk and Black Yarn House to right

  • ChathamHDYRopery0024

    Laying the Rope

  • ChathamHDYRopery0025

    Looking at the Traveller

  • ChathamHDYRopery0028

    Tops

  • ChathamHDYRopery0030

    The Traveller

  • No 1 Smithery, Chatham Dockyard

    No 1 Smithery

  • ChathamHDY Lead and Paint Mill 3139

    Lead and Paint Mill

  • Chatham Historic Dockyard 5662

    Iron Foundry (left)

  • ChathamHDY0063

    No 1 Machine Shop

  • ChathamHDGalvanising0006

    Galvanising Shop

  • Chain Cable Shed, Chatham Dockyard

    Chain Cable Shed

  • Number 2 Basin and Dockside Housing, Chatham Maritime - geograph.org.uk - 846549

    Expanse of water in No 2 Basin

  • Chatham Marina - geograph.org.uk - 664968

    View down the length of the former No 7 Dock towards No 1 Basin (now Chatham Marina)

  • Machine Shop Chatham

    Remains of No 8 Machine Shop with No 1 Boiler Shop behind it

  • Pumping Station, Chatham

    Dock pumping station (its 80 ft chimney, formerly on the plinth to the right, has been removed)

  • The Bell Mast, Chatham Dockyard - geograph.org.uk - 1613094

    Bell Mast on Leviathan Way

  • The Ship and Trades - geograph.org.uk - 641952

    Combined Ship Trade Office

  • Dockside Outlet Centre, Chatham (geograph 3903992)

    Former No 1 Boiler Shop (with clock)

  • Chatham Dockyard Outlet

    Former No 1 Boiler Shop (interior)

  • Chatham Maritime (geograph 2926442)

    Former central offices

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