Chatham Dockyard

Chatham Dockyard was a 1586-1984 shipbuilding unused space.

History

Chatham Dockyard was on the River Medway in Chatham, Kent. The shipbuilding activities can be traced back to the time of the Reformation, were needed in the additional vessels. The origin lay on a 324,000 m2, now known as Chatham Historic Dockyard area.

For the period of 1619/20, a mast extension with two new pools, a dry dock, warehouses as well as lime kilns and brick has been demonstrated. After the renewed outbreak of war with Spain in 1710 led to a further expansion.

Around 1770, the system consisted in an area of ​​1.6 km an area of ​​384,000 m2. There were four slipways and four large dry docks available.

The number of employees rose to 1664, including 49 officers and accountants, as well as 624 shipbuilders and Seiler 274 to 1798. Furthermore, block -maker, caulker, blacksmiths, carpenters, riggers and sail makers, as well as other Schifbauberufe were represented.

In the 1860s the shipyard was substantially modernized in order to build the Achilles, the first iron-clad warship, which was created in a royal dockyard. Until the 1900s, more battleships were built, then the focus was in Chatham on the construction of submarines, of which 56 were built in the years 1908-1966. Then at the shipyard nuclear submarines were overhauled.

After 1983, the modernization of the last ship at Chatham Dockyard, HMS Hermione, was completed, finished to shipbuilding in 1984. Merely the repair of coasters was continued by the Crescent Marine Services until 1994.

Chatham Dockyard last had an area of ​​1.6 km2. After the closure of the area was split into three parts. The easternmost harbor basin was taken over by the Medway Ports Authority and is now a commercial port. Another part was converted into a mixed residential, recreational and economic territory. The 324,000 m2 comprehensive core area from the 18th century was transferred to the profit Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and is now a visitor attraction.