Hms Drake Main Gateway With Gate Pier Arches, Gates, Flanking Walls And Railings

HMS Drake Main Gateway, located on Saltash Road in Devonport, is a significant entrance built between 1906 and 1907, possibly designed by Superintendent Engineer Major Monro Wilson of the Royal Engineers. The gateway features dressed Plymouth limestone and iron railings, with a wide carriageway flanked by two pedestrian entrances through Classical style arches. On the right, there is a low curved wall topped with iron railings, while a high wall on the left connects to a guardroom block with a clocktower. Each round keyed arch is supported by vermiculated pilasters and topped with a dentilled entablature, pulvinated friezes, and segmental pediments adorned with richly carved panels and central wreaths featuring twined anchors. The wrought-iron gates have closely set bars, double top rails, and triple lock/bottom rails, with scrolled decoration between the bottom rails. The pedestrian gates also feature turned decoration between the top rails and scrolled tympanae. This main entrance was part of the third phase of construction for the barracks, which reflects the importance and status of the Royal Navy at the time, and it remains one of the finest and most complete navy barracks in England.