Chatham in Medway, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

No. 3 Covered Slip, 1838

Scheduled Ancient Monument

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

1. No. 3 Covered Slip, 1838 Marker

Inscription.
During the Napoleonic Wars (1803-15) the Navy Board set about minimising the impact of dry rot on ships under construction by erecting covers over all the slips and docks used for shipbuilding.

At Chatham the large slips in front of Commissioner's House were tackled first, with No.2 Slip covered in 1813 and No.1 Slip in 1815 and this slip, No. 3 was built in 1836 and covered in 1838 with a roof 300 feet (91 metres) long and 146 feet (44.5 metres) wide. The cantilevered frame was to the design of Sir Robert Seppings and is a remarkable tribute to the skills of the Dockyard workforce which built it.

Today it remains the sole survivor. No.1 Slip was taken down at the end of the 19th century while No.2 Slip was lost to fire in 1966.

By the 1850s the length of ships had outgrown the slipway and in 1904 a new mezzanine floor was inserted to create a store for ships' boats.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 51° 23.775′ N, 0° 31.669′ E. Marker is in Chatham, England, in Medway. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Western Avenue and Main Gate Road when traveling north. Located in Historic Dockyard Chatham. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chatham, England ME4 4TZ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Steam Hammer, 1955 (within shouting distance of this marker); 30 CWT ‘Cochrane’ Steam Hammer (within shouting distance of this marker); No. 1 Smithery, 1808 (within shouting distance of this marker); HMS Gannet, 1878 (within shouting distance of this marker); Propeller, RFA Reliant, c.1954 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); No. 3 Dry Dock, 1820; No. 4 Dry Dock, 1840 (about 90 meters away); HM Submarine Ocelot, 1962 (about 90 meters away); Plate Bending Rolls, 1913 (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

Also see . . .
1. Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Chatham Dockyard Historical Society. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Chatham Dockyard on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

No. 3 Covered Slip, 1838 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

2. No. 3 Covered Slip, 1838

The marker is at the bow of the boat in the entrance opening.

Underside of the Roof, No. 3 Covered Slip image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

3. Underside of the Roof, No. 3 Covered Slip

The cover is built much like an upside-down ship. A marvel of engineering and construction 180 years ago.

No. 3 Covered Slip image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

4. No. 3 Covered Slip

The slip is now filled with machinery, boats, engines, vehicles and many artifacts from the shipbuilding industry over the centuries.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

5. No. 3 Covered Slip

Shipbuilding machinery in the slip.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

6. No. 3 Covered Slip

Machinery in the slip. At the far end is one of the small steam engines that serviced the dockyard.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 309 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.