Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Formerly listed building. Main construction periods 1794 to 1834

Summary from record TQ 97 NW 39:

The Great Basin and dry docks were built c.1814; they comprised walls and stepped sides of 3 docks opening out onto the Great Basin. They were designed by Sir John Rennie, engineer to the Admiralty, who was responsible for all the heavy engineering works at Sheerness Dockyard. Convict Labour was used to build the docks. They are a good example of Royal Naval docks of the early 19th century. (see also TQ 97 NW 40)

Summary from record TQ 97 NW 1027:

Walls of Great Basin and 3 docks, Sheerness Docks. c.1814.

Monument Types

• SITE (Unknown date)
• NAVAL DOCKYARD (Post Medieval to Modern - 1540 AD? to 2050 AD?)
• SITE (Post Medieval - 1794 AD to 1834 AD)
• DRY DOCK (Post Medieval to Modern - 1814 AD to 2050 AD)
• WALL (Constructed c.1814, Post Medieval to Modern - 1814 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
The following building was de-listed on 13th August 1999
SHEERNESS DOCKS
1.
5282
Sheerness
Walls of the Great Basin;
walls and stepped sides of
3 Docks opening onto the
Great Basin
TQ 9075 SE 5/110 15.3.77.
TQ 9074 NE 6/110
II GV
2.
C.1814. Built by Sir John Rennie, engineer to the Admiralty, and who was responsible for all the heavy engineering works at Sheerness Dockyard. This is built on piles and was carried out by convict labour. Superstructure of granite blocks, the stepped docks having incised Roman numerals. A good example of Royal Naval Docks of the early C19.
Listing NGR: TQ9090174964

Previously TQ 97 NW 40

Description from record TQ 97 NW 39:
Walls of the Great Basin; walls and stepped sides of 3 docks opening out onto the Great Basin. c.1814. Built by Sir John Rennie, engineer to the Admiralty, and who was responsible for all the heavy engineering works at Sheerness Dockyard. This is built on piles and was carried out by convict labour. Superstructure of granite blocks, the stepped docks having incised Roman numerals. A good example of Royal Naval docks of the early 19th century. Listed Grade II (1). Additional reference (2).

Description from record TQ 97 NW 1027:
c1814, built by Sir John Rennie, Engineer to the Admiralty. Built on piles by convict labour. Superstructure of granite blocks, the stepped docks having incised Roman numerals. Good example of Royal Naval Docks of early C19. (1)

English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

1858, Sheerness Dockyard 1858 labelled plan (Map). SKE18272.

<1> DOE (HHR) Borough of Swale, Kent (30.6.78) (OS Card Reference). SKE39950.

<1> Department of the Environment, KCC Greenback Index (Index). SWX9400.

<2> Watson-Smyth, M. (ed.), 1993, Deserted Bastions - Historic Naval and Military Architecture (Monograph). SWX9394.

Sources and further reading