The Camber Basin, Retaining Walls And Two Cranes And Railings

The Camber Basin is a loading and unloading basin located at Priddy's Hard ordnance yard, featuring two cranes and railings. It was laid out between 1771 and 1776, with later alterations and additions. The walls are constructed from stone and concrete, replacing the original timber walling, while the railings are made of cast iron. The cranes have timber arms connected to steel windlass mechanisms and are set on stone bases.

The basin has an irregular octagonal shape and is enclosed by walls on seven sides, with paving made of large irregular stone slabs. The western side adjoins the end of the Rolling Way and is bordered by Buildings 418, 429, and 431. The retaining walls are primarily made of large Purbeck Stone blocks, with various repairs including concrete and some timber posts. There is a flight of steps located in the southeast corner of the basin. On the dockside, the two 19th-century cranes are positioned on the southeast and southwest sides of The Camber, each mounted on a stone base with a steel body, windlass, and timber arm. Railings protect the sea frontage on the eastern and southern sides, with a section on the southeast arm featuring fluted iron posts and a circular cross-sectioned handrail.

Historically, the Camber basin was essential for enabling shipping to service the ordnance yard when it was first established. Although it has been patched over the years, the essential structure and layout remain intact, and the historical significance is further enhanced by the survival of the cranes.

The magazines and related structures at Priddy's Hard date from the late 18th century. The site's expansion from the mid-19th century was closely linked to the development of land and sea artillery and the navy's transition from the age of sail to the Dreadnought class in the early 1900s. Priddy's Hard retains the best-preserved range of structures that reflect this significant history of continuous growth and adaptation, highlighting Britain's dominance as a global sea power. For further historical details on this site, see the description for 'A' Magazine.