The land used by the Dockyard was
originally used as defensive works to protect England from invasion.
In 1545 the first Bulwark was built at the most westerly point to
protect the ships moored at Gillingham and Chatham. For many years
this Bulwark was left to deteriorate , numerous plans and orders to
rebuild and refurbish it were never completed.
It wasn’t until 1665 that the dockyard was starting to be built, the
first building was a storehouse used to store provisions that needed
to be sent out to ships. It was during this time Chatham Dockyard was
struggling to keep up with the amount of ships that needed repairs, so
the order was given to send the wood and equipment to sheerness so
that they could help with the work load. It was reported that the
temporary buildings and cranes were not good enough for the job at
hand and a plan of a purpose built yard was sent to Samual Pepys
detailing what was needed and how much it was likely to cost. Pepys
agreed and the work commenced. It was a few months later when it was
proposed a new fort should be built at the northern side of the
dockyard, Ness Point, the same place as the original bulwark. The new
yard was completed at the end of 1665, it was to be used for cleaning,
refitting and minor repairs on ships. Twelve months later the plan for
a new fort was supported, mainly because it would cost less money to
be able to store ordnance at the fort instead of it all being
transported to the area from Upnor Castle and the Tower of London.
In December 1666 Sir Bernard De Gomme was sent to Sheerness to assess
the area laid out for the fort, he approved of the proposals. Work
began on the fort but for numerous reasons, lack of a work force being
one of them, it was taking a very long time. When the Dutch invaded in
June 1667 the fort was only partially built and couldn’t defend itself
or the dockyard. Sheerness was deserted and everyone retreated to
Chatham Dockyard while the Dutch took over Sheerness. The Dutch
removed as much as they could from the storehouses including guns,
ammunition and gunpowder and destroying everything they could not take
aboard their ships. They burnt down as much of the fort they could and
got away with £3000 worth of stores. They then proceeded to Chatham
where the whole English fleet were moored, unhindered they took two
ships and burnt most of those remaining.
By the end of 1668 both the fort, holding 30 guns, and the dockyard
were operational again.
The first dry dock was built in 1673 and the first Sheerness built
ship was launched in 1677. This was the first of many ships to be
built here.
Not much is known from 1686 until 1797 when there was mutiny at the
Nore. In December 1813 the dockyard
got an overhaul by John Rennie, it was was formally opened in
September 1823. The works cost 2,586,083.
Sheerness Dockyard was still being used to store ammunition and often
had boats in to pick some up and was still used for general repairs
and adjustments.
Sheerness Royal Dockyard closed in 1960 and was bought by the port
authority and is now used as a commercial shipping port.There are still a number of buildings remaining from the 1923
overhaul which are being used and preserved. These can be visited
during the heritage open days held in September.
This site is in 6 parts due to size and complexity.