Chatham Dockyard
HM Dockyard, Chatham
720px-Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png
Type Naval Dockyard
Country United Kingdom
Founded 1567
Abolished 1983
Headquarters Chatham, Kent, England
Operator Royal Navy
Controlled by Navy Board (1544-1832)
Controlled by Board of Admiralty (1832-1964)

Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham (at its most extensive, in the early 20th century, two-thirds of the dockyard lay in Gillingham, one-third in Chatham).

It came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional defences. For 414 years Chatham Royal Dockyard provided over 500 ships for the Royal Navy, and was at the forefront of shipbuilding, industrial and architectural technology. At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans and covered 400 acres (1.6 km²). Chatham dockyard closed in 1984, and 84 acres (340,000 m2) of the Georgian dockyard is now managed as a visitor attraction by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.

1) History

1567 is generally seen as the date of Chatham's establishment as a Royal Naval Dockyard.[2] In the years that followed the ground was prepared, accommodation was secured and a mast pond was installed. The renowned Tudor shipwright Mathew Baker was appointed to Chatham in 1572 (though he was primarily based at Deptford). Under his supervision the site was developed to include sawpits, workshops, a wharf with a crane and, most significantly, its first dry dock, which opened in 1581. The dockyard received its first royal visit, from Elizabeth I, in 1573. The first ship to be built at the dockyard, HMS Sunne was launched in 1586.

James I used Chatham dockyard for a meeting in 1606 with Christian IV of Denmark.[4] In 1613, the dockyard moved from its original location (now the gun wharf to the south) to its present site.[3] The growing importance of the dockyard was illustrated with the addition of two new mast ponds, and the granting of additional land on which a dock, storehouse, and various brick and lime kilns were planned. Peter Pett, of the family of shipwrights whose history is closely connected to the Chatham dockyard, became commissioner in 1649.[5]

Dutch Attack on the Medway, June 1667 by Pieter Cornelisz van Soest, painted c. 1667. The captured ship Royal Charles is right of centre. One of the disadvantages of Chatham (and also of the Thames-side yards) was their relative inaccessibility for ships at sea (including those anchored in The Nore). Therefore, rather than risk being constrained by wind, tide and draught on a journey upriver, ships would seek as often as possible to do running repairs and maintenance while at anchor, and would only travel to the dockyard when necessary. Thus deliveries of victuals, ordnance and other supplies were made by small boats, sailing regularly between Chatham and The Nore.

By the late 17th century Chatham was the largest refitting dockyard, important during the Dutch wars. It was, however, superseded in the following century, first by Portsmouth, then Plymouth, when the main naval enemy became France, and the Western approaches the chief theatre of operations. In addition, the Medway had begun to silt up, making navigation more difficult. Nevertheless, following a visit by the Admiralty Board in 1773, the decision was taken to invest further in Chatham, which developed into a building yard rather than a refitting base.[5] Among many vessels built in this Dockyard and which still exist, are HMS Victory, launched in 1765 – now preserved at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.[8]

By the year 1770 the establishment had so expanded that, including the gun wharf, it stretched a mile (1.6 km) in length, and included an area of in excess of 95 acres (384,000 m²), possessing four slip ways and four large docks. The officers and men employed in the yard also increased, and by 1798 they numbered 1,664, including 49 officers and clerks and 624 shipwrights. Additionally required were the blockmakers, caulkers, pitch-heaters, blacksmiths, joiners and carpenters, sail makers, riggers, and ropemakers (274), as well as bricklayers, labourers and others.

Between 1862 and 1885, the yard underwent another large building programme as the Admiralty adjusted to the new technology of steam-powered ships with metal hulls. Three basins were constructed along St Mary's creek: of 28 acres (110,000 m2), 20 acres (81,000 m2) and 21 acres (85,000 m2). There were four new dry docks. Much of the work was done by convict labour. The construction materials required regenerated the North Kent brick and cement industries. It is estimated that 110 million bricks were used. These basins formed the Victorian Dockyard. Chatham built on average, two new ships each year. HMS Unicorn, (a Leda class frigate), now preserved afloat at Dundee, was launched at Chatham in 1824.

With the 20th century came the submarine. HMS C17 was launched at Chatham in 1908, and during World War I, twelve submarines were built here, but when hostilities ceased, uncompleted boats were scrapped and five years passed before a further ship was launched. In the interwar years, 8 "S" class submarines were built at Chatham but this was a period of decline. During World War II there were 1,360 refits and sixteen launchings.

The final boats constructed in Chatham were Oberon class submarines – Ocelot was the last vessel built for the Royal Navy, and the final vessel was Okanagan built for the Royal Canadian Navy and launched on 17 September 1966. In 1968, a nuclear submarine refitting complex was built complete with refuelling cranes and health physics building. In spite of this in June 1981, it was announced to Parliament that the dockyard would be run down and closed in 1984.

In the mid-1980s Defence Estates disposed of the former Royal Navy ratings Married Quarters on the nearby Walderslade Estate, which were sold by public auction. These were previously occupied by personnel from the Royal Navy dockyard Chatham, with 110 married quarters being sold. The Georgian site is now a visitor attraction, under the care of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. The Trust is preparing an application for the Dockyard and its Defences to become a World Heritage Site.

2) Plan of the Dockyard

Chatham%20Dockyard.jpg

3) Administration of the dockyard

From 1578 until 1631 the Master Shipwright was the key official in charge of the dockyard until the introduction of resident commissioners by the Navy Board after which he became deputy to the resident commissioner. The Commissioner of Chatham Dockyard held a seat and a vote on the Navy Board in London. In 1832 the post of commissioner was replaced by the post of superintendent, who was invested with the same power and authority as the former commissioners, "except in matters requiring an Act of Parliament to be submitted by the Commissioner of the Navy". On 5 September 1971 all Flag Officers of the Royal Navy holding positions of Admiral Superintendents at Royal Dockyards were restyled as Port Admirals.

Key Officials

3.1) Master Shipwright Chatham Dockyard (1572-1631)

  1. 1572-1613 Matthew Baker
  2. 1605-1629 Phineus Pett
  3. 1613-1626 Edward Stevens
  4. 1626-1629 Henry Goddard
  5. 1629-1631 Edward Boate

3.2) Commissioner of the Navy at Chatham Dockyard (1631-1829)

  1. 1631–1647 Phineas Pett
  2. 1648–1668 Peter Pett
  3. 1669–1672 John Cox
  4. 1672–1686 Thomas Middleton
  5. 1686–1689 Phineas Pett
  6. 1689–1703 Sir Edward Gregory
  7. 1703–1714 George St Lo
  8. 1714–1722 James Lyttleton
  9. 1722–1736 Thomas Kempthorne
  10. 1736–1742 Thomas Mathews
  11. 1742–1754 Charles Brown
  12. 1754–1755 Arthur Scott
  13. 1755–1763 Thomas Cooper
  14. 1763–1771 Thomas Hanway
  15. 1771–1799 Charles Proby
  16. 1799–1801 John Hartwell
  17. 1801–1808 Captain Charles Hope
  18. 1808–1823 Captain Robert Barlow
  19. 1823–1829 Captain Charles Cunningham

3.2.1) Master Shipwright Chatham Dockyard (1631-1813)

  1. 1631-1638 Edward Boate
  2. 1647-1651 John Bright
  3. 1651-1660 John Taylor
  4. 1681-1698 Robert Lee
  5. 1698 J Batt
  6. 1698-1699 Daniel Furzer
  7. 1699-1705 Robert Shortis
  8. 1705-1727 Benjamin Rosewell
  9. 1727-1732 Benjamin Rosewell
  10. 1732-1752 John Ward
  11. 1752-1753 Thomas Slade
  12. 1753-1755 Adam Hayes
  13. 1755-1762 John Lock
  14. 1762-1767 Edward Allin
  15. 1767-1773 Joseph Harris
  16. 1773-1775 William Gray
  17. 1775-1779 Israel Pownoll
  18. 1779-1790 Nicholas Phillips
  19. 1790-1793 John Nelson
  20. 1793-1795 Thomas Pollard
  21. 1804-1812 Robert Seppings
  22. 1813 George Parkin

3.3) Captain, Rear-Admiral/Vice-Admiral Superintendent, Chatham Dockyard (1832-1961)

  1. Captain Sir James A. Gordon, July 1832 – 10 January 1837 [23]
  2. Captain Sir Thomas Bourchier, 20 September 1846 – 5 May 1849 [24]
  3. Captain Peter Richards, 5 May 1849 – 14 June 1854 [25]
  4. Captain Christopher Wyvill, 14 June 1854 – 1 April 1861 [26][27]
  5. Captain Edward G. Fanshawe, 1 April 1861 – 9 November 1863,[28]
  6. Captain William Houston Stewart, 19 November 1863 to 30 November 1868 [29]
  7. Captain William Charles Chamberlain, 30 November 1868 – 19 January 1874
  8. Captain Charles Fellowes, 19 January 1874 – 1876
  9. Rear-Admiral Thomas Brandreth, 1 February 1879 – 1 December 1881
  10. Rear-Admiral George W. Watson, 1 December 1881 – April 1886
  11. Rear-Admiral William Codrington, April 1886 – 1 November 1887
  12. Rear-Admiral Edward Kelly , 1 November 1887 – December 1890
  13. Vice-Admiral George D. Morant, 25 January 1892
  14. Rear-Admiral Hilary G. Andoe, 2 September 1895
  15. Rear-Admiral Swinton Colthurst Holland, 2 September 1899 – 2 September 1902
  16. Vice-Admiral Robert William Craigie, 2 September 1902 – 2 September 1905
  17. Rear-Admiral Alvin C. Corry, 2 September 1905
  18. Vice-Admiral George A. Giffard, 5 February 1907 – 9 August 1909
  19. Rear-Admiral Robert N. Ommanney, 9 August 1909 – 9 August 1912
  20. Rear-Admiral Charles E. Anson, 9 August 1912 – 9 August 1913
  21. Captain Harry Jones, 16 August 1913 – 15 September 1913
  22. Vice-Admiral Arthur D. Ricardo, 9 August 1915 – 1 May 1919
  23. Rear-Admiral Sir William E. Goodenough, 1 May 1919 – 26 May 1920
  24. Rear-Admiral Lewis Clinton-Baker, 26 May 1920
  25. Rear-Admiral Edward B. Kiddle, 28 September 1921 – 1 December 1923
  26. Rear-Admiral Percy M. R. Royds, 1 December 1923
  27. Rear-Admiral Charles P. Beaty-Pownall, 7 December 1925 – 7 December 1927
  28. Rear-Admiral Anselan J. B. Stirling, 7 December 1927
  29. Vice-Admiral Charles W. Round-Turner, October 1931 – October 1935
  30. Vice-Admiral Sir Clinton F. S. Danby, 1 October 1935 – 15 October 1942
  31. Vice-Admiral John G. Crace, 15 October 1942 – July 1946
  32. Rear-Admiral A.L. Poland, 5 September 1950 – May 1951 [31]
  33. Rear-Admiral George V.M. Dolphin: October 1954 – October 1958
  34. Rear-Admiral John Y. Thompson: October 1958 – February 1961

3.4) Flag Officer, Medway and Admiral Superintendent Chatham Dockyard (1961-1983)

  1. Rear-Admiral I.William T. Beloe: February 1961 – December 1963
  2. Rear-Admiral Ian L.T.Hogg: December 1963 – July 1966
  3. Vice-Admiral Sir W. John Parker: July 1966 – September 1969 [33]
  4. Rear-Admiral Frederick C.W. Lawson: September 1969 – November 1971
  5. Flag Officer, Medway and Port Admiral
  6. Rear-Admiral Colin C.H. Dunlop: November 1971 – January 1974 [35]
  7. Rear-Admiral Stephen F. Berthon: January 1974 – July 1976
  8. Rear-Admiral Christopher M. Bevan: July 1976 – August 1978 [36]
  9. Rear-Admiral Charles B. Williams: August 1978 – August 1980
  10. Rear-Admiral George M.K. Brewer: August 1980 – August 1982
  11. Rear-Admiral William A. Higgins: August 1982 – 1983

4) Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Dockyard

5) Attribution

  1. https://threedecks.org/Chatham Dockyard
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/Chatham Dockyard
Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 License