Dartmouth (Devon)
Dartmouth is an ancient town located in the southern English county of Devon. The city is located on the western shore of the estuary of the River Dart and is now underway mainly by sailors.
History
Dartmouth had a harbor for the great sailing ships of strategic importance: from here the ships stood to the Crusades of 1147 and 1190 in the lake. In addition, Dartmouth was since the time of Edward III. Base for the Royal Navy. After the city had been surprised and sacked twice during the Hundred Years' War was from 1481, the Dartmouth Castle built to control the entrance to the estuary. From the castle a chain was stretched across the water to the Kingswear Castle on the other side. From 1510 offered the Bayard 's Cove Fort extra protection for the harbor.
Henry Hudson was arrested on his return from America in Dartmouth, because he was sailing under a foreign flag. The Pilgrim Fathers broke the trip on their way from Southampton to America in Bayard 's Cove in Dartmouth. On August 20, 1620 continued the journey on the Mayflower and the Speedwell. 300 miles west of Land's End, they found that the Speedwell was unseaworthy; the ship sailed thence back to Plymouth. The Mayflower was put on his own during the crossing to landing on Cape Cod.
The city has a number of historic buildings. The most striking is the so-called 1640 completed Butterwalk with a cantilevered upper floor, its timber is based on a series of distinctive granite columns. Charles II held court here, as he had to seek shelter from a storm in 1671. The room where he was staying, is now part of the Dartmouth Museum. The museum is known for its collection of ship models.
The Royal Castle Hotel was built in 1639 at the then new quay. In the 19th century, the building has, however, received a new front. The claim to be the oldest building in Dartmouth, stands a house in Higher Street from the period around 1380, which formerly belonged to merchants. Now it houses the coaching inn, The Cherub. Agincourt House near the lower ferry it is rooted in the 14th century.
On a hill above the city an imposing building designed by renowned English architect Aston Webb building, where since 1905, Britannia Royal Naval College is housed. Here you can get aspiring officers of the Royal Navy basic training. Previously, the study took place at the moored in the River Dart HMS Britannia.
Since 1822 takes place the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta on three days in the year preceding the coast; it is one of the biggest sailing events in the UK.