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

No. 3 Dry Dock, 1820; No. 4 Dry Dock, 1840

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

1. No. 3 Dry Dock, 1820; No. 4 Dry Dock, 1840 Marker

Inscription.
No. 3 Dry Dock, 1820; No. 4 Dry Dock, 1840
Scheduled Ancient Monuments

The dry docks were used for both shipbuilding and ship repair. During the age of sail the Navy Board built more dry docks than any other country. Originally they were built of timber and needed frequent repair and re-building.

No. 3 dry dock, now home to HM Submarine Ocelot, was the first of Chatham's dry docks to be built in stone. It was designed by the civil engineer John Rennie (1761 1821), along with the South Dock Pumping Station. No.4 dry dock, where HMS Gannet is now berthed, was constructed in 1840 and enlarged in 1908 to accommodate larger ships.

Both dry docks were built in the same manner with floor and sides of granite blocks supported underground by an inverted brick arch.

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

Location. 51° 23.727′ N, 0° 31.646′ E. Marker is in Chatham, England, in Medway. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Western Avenue and Main Gate Road, on the left 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. HM Submarine Ocelot, 1962 (here, next to this marker); HMS Gannet, 1878 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Destroyer Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); First World War 100th Anniversary (within shouting distance of this marker); HMS Cavalier, 1944 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Victory Dock (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Single Dock (within shouting distance of this marker); H.M.S. Victory (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatham.

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

HM Submarine Ocelot in No. 3 Dry Dock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

2. HM Submarine Ocelot in No. 3 Dry Dock

Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 5, 2018

3. HM Submarine Ocelot in No. 3 Dry Dock

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 172 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 7, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.