Data copyright © Historic England, Dr Ann Coats, Dr David Davies, Dr David Evans, Dr Raymond Riley unless otherwise stated
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Dr
Ann
Coats
Project Manager
Naval Dockyards Society
44 Lindley Avenue
Southsea
Hampshire
PO4 9NU
The project was designed to increase our overall understanding of the dockyard built environment by telling the national story of twentieth century dockyards and the particular narratives of Devonport and Portsmouth Dockyards, enabling Historic England to focus its resources effectively in managing these historic environments (650 acres at Devonport; 300 acres at Portsmouth). The introduction analyses the historical, political, social, military, industrial, architectural and economic background of Devonport and Portsmouth Dockyards during the twentieth century.
Aim: To characterise the development of the active naval dockyards at Devonport and Portsmouth, and the facilities within the dockyard boundaries at their maximum extent during the twentieth century, through library, archival and field surveys, presented and analysed in a published report, with a database of documentary and building reports also available.
Objectives:
The Naval Defence Act (1889) initiated a massive expansion of the major British naval dockyards in the twentieth century to support arms races with France, Russia and Germany. Technological innovations included Dreadnought battleships, submarines, oil replacing coal and electricity replacing oil as the main fuel, aircraft, radar and nuclear-powered submarines, and concrete as a building material. The report identifies purpose-built twentieth century structures, existing buildings adapted for new technologies, and unique structures performing the main dockyard activities (construction, repair and maintenance of ships) at Devonport and Portsmouth. In July 1998 the Strategic Defence Review, reinforced by the 2005 Defence Industrial Strategy, focused resources on increased offensive air power and two Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
Each selected building’s overall type or purpose, historically and at present, its materials and possible date(s), summarising form (structure, materials, layout), function, date and sequence of development, is described. The names of the architects, builders or occupants are given where known. Copies of historic maps, drawings or photographs illustrating the development of the building or its site are located within relevant chapters and dockyard building designations are included as appendices.
Also recorded: