Fishermens Hospital Including Gate Piers And Railings

GREAT YARMOUTH

TG5207NW CHURCH PLAIN 839-1/12/29 (South East side) 27/06/53 Fishermen's Hospital including gate piers and railings

GV I

Home for decayed fishermen. Built by the corporation in 1702; restored 1929-30 by FRB Haward and 1985-6 by Wearing, Hastings & Brooks, architects. Interiors refurbished 1989. Red brick laid in Flemish bond, with burnt headers and ashlar quoins. Plain-tile roofs. The plan is of 20 houses laid out round all four sides of a courtyard, the 20 houses reduced to 10 in 1959 EXTERIOR: one storey and dormer attic. The end gables of the north and south wings have Dutch gables and large oval inscription plaques surmounted by cartouches under segmental hoods. To the south the plaque lists the 1702 regulations, to the north benefactors of 1765-1915. Two further Dutch gables terminate the ends of the entrance wings, which have 3 bays right and left of the gates: three 3-light casements with leaded glazing, replaced in the C20 and fitted with shutters. 2 gabled dormers in the roof fitted with 2-light leaded casements. One further 2-light leaded casement in the apex of the gable end. The north and south external returns are quite plain with just 3 casements at their east ends. Opposite the entrance is an archway to the rear with a pediment on Doric pilasters. Within the pediment is a plaster relief of a barque sailing backwards. Above this, on the ridge of the roof, is a hexagonal lantern with arcaded facets below a modillion cornice and an ogeed roof clad in lead. A ball finial carries a weather vane. Inside the lantern is a statue of St Christopher, painted, probably lead c1702. The houses running round the interior have paired doorways alternating with single doors, and there are in all sixteen 3-light leaded casements, all restored in the C20. 14 ridge stacks, mostly rebuilt. There are also gabled dormers with 2-light leaded casements as before: 2 to the west projections on the entrance front, 3 each to the north and south sides and 6 to the long east face. INTERIOR: the houses were enlarged in 1959 by conversion to 10 from 20 units, and the entire interiors gutted. Winder staircases removed. Further features removed during restorations of the 1980s. The attic is no longer used for domestic purposes. Roof of rafters and purlins entirely replaced in 1959. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the central entrance to the yard is to the west: 2 gate piers and railings of diamond-section verticals with spear-head finials.

Listing NGR: TG5244907886