Former Smithery, Erecting Shop And Brass Foundry, Royal Dockyard

TQ 4279 WOOLWICH CHURCH STREET

786-/7/10012 Former smithery, erecting shop and brass foundry, Royal Dockyard

II

Smithery, erecting shop and brass foundry. Erecting shop erected 1338-40 with Smithery and brass foundry added in 1846, connected to it by glazed roof. Designed by officers of the Royal Engineers working within the Board of Ordnance. This was the 1st naval establishment for the installation and repair of steanengines on steam boats (which needed regular overhauling and replacement of parts), Woolwich being chosen because it was nearer to London's established marine engineering industry. Erecting shop situated south of site. This was originally the boiler shop and was converted c1843. The erecting shop was situated near to the inner basin. Steam engines were assembled here and installed into the ships by means of large cranes. Built of stock brick, roofs concealed by cornices. 2 stone bands. South front has a series of round-headed windows and 2 larger openings with stone keystones and import blocks. End elevations have keystones and blocked lunettes. Interior has blank arcade of round -headed arches. Smithery, built for the manufacture of metal parts and brass foundry added to north in 1846. These are built of stock brick with stone dressings. Smithery to west has a series of 16 rounded-headed arches with stone keystones and impost blocks but pale yellow brick voussoirs with round-headed openings below, most now blocked. 2 round-headed entrances. Partially glazed roof, part now covered with asbestos sheeting. Pedimented glazed portion to left connecting with brass foundry. Interior has cast iron tapering columns and metal roof with king post truss. Brass foundry of 1846 built of stock brick with stone dressings and roof now covered with asbestos sheeting. West front has 7 bays including central 3 bays in projection under pediment with louvred oculus. Round-headed openings, mainly blocked or with C20 windows and doorcase. North and south elevations are of 5 bays with central full height round-headed arch with keystone and impost blocks (now blocked in) and 4 tall round-headed openings with C20 windows inserted.

[See the Gentleman's Magazine April 1&38 "A splendid building, called the 'Engine Factory' is nearly completed in the west dockyard, for the steam service of the Royal Navy ...."

Parliamentary Papers XIX (1845), 173 £33,000 voted in Navy estimates for enlargement of the steam factory. A drawing dated April 1846 for the Smithery is at the National Maritime Building, signed by Captain Beatson.

Listing NGR: TQ4228079120