Hms Drake Clock Tower South East Of Main Gates And Attached Guardhouse

HMS Drake Clock Tower and Attached Guardhouse

This clock tower and guardhouse stand south-east of the main gates on the naval base at Devonport, Plymouth. Completed in 1896 under the direction of Superintendent Engineer Lieutenant-Colonel P Smith RE, the structure is constructed in Plymouth limestone and represents a notable example of Free Classical design.

The building comprises an irregular overall plan incorporating a square clock tower flanked by rectangular guardroom blocks. The materials used are Plymouth limestone ashlar to the tower with channelled rustication to the lower stages, whilst the guardroom block features a rock-faced basement with dressed limestone brought to course elsewhere. The roof is of dry slate behind a parapet with moulded entablature, and stone stacks carry moulded cornices.

The guardhouse to the right is a single-storey structure over a basement at lower ground level, presenting a regular five-window range. A tetrastyle prostyle entrance loggia with paired columns (fluted in their upper parts) and larger unfluted corner columns fronts the tower on a stylobate. Fielded panels appear under windows to the side bays and return bays, with an overlight to the central doorway. A moulded entablature and balustraded parapet with central crest crowns this element.

The tower rises through four principal stages with diminishing stages above. Above the entrance floor, small paired lights sit to the sides. A balcony entablature follows, with balustraded balconies on console brackets in front of two-light windows featuring round-arched lights and portcullis-like overlights. At this stage, cavetto-on-plan corners lend the tower a lighter appearance. Triangular pediments surmount these windows. The next stage employs recessed corners with flanking pilasters, balustraded entablature below each clock face, and a machicolated cornice supporting an iron balustraded shielded walk with chamfered corners. A further diminished stage above carries similar chamfered and pilastered window openings. The succeeding diminished stage features a similar balcony over a moulded cornice with smaller windows topped by triangular pediments. Above this, the chamfered corners carry slender buttresses beneath a balustraded parapet entablature and flagpole.

The guardhouse to the right displays tall original 12-pane sashes within pedimented architraves, with pediments linked by moulded cornices. A moulded sill string and panelled aprons complete the fenestration treatment. The right-hand return incorporates a four-light oriel on brackets, surmounted by a coved entablature and triangular pediment with dentilled cornice, linking to the parapet cornice of the front elevation. A segmental-arched basement doorway with console keyblock and pair of planked doors provides access at basement level.

The tower represents an unusually elaborate and decorative component of a barracks, built as part of the final phase of construction for the establishment, though the design may have been settled when the barracks commenced in the 1870s. It forms part of one of the finest and most complete barracks in England, manifesting the importance and status of the Royal Navy at this period.