Hms Drake Frobisher Block Right Of Main Entrance

PLYMOUTH

SX4556NW SALTASH ROAD, Devonport 740-1/32/165 (West side) 08/07/98 HMS Drake: Frobisher Block right of Main Entrance

GV II

Commodore's office. 1879-86. Supervised by Engineer Lt-Colonel P Smith RE. Dressed Plymouth limestone brought to course; dry slate roof behind parapet with moulded entablature and plain end copings; end, axial and lateral stacks, all with moulded entablature. Free Classical style. PLAN: very long rectangular plan plus small pay office wing at road front plus full-length verandahs to both fronts, the inner verandah later glazed. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys; 4:1:2:8-bay 14-window range to inner front, other front similar but with central wing with louvred roof. Original 12-pane horned sashes. The original cast-iron downpipes feed into the stanchions, with Composite capitals, of the verandah. Doorways have segmental arches over pairs of doors with bolection-moulded panels; overlights. The parapet entablature returns at the ends to give the effect of pediments. INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORY: sailors lived in hulks until their first barracks were built here at Devonport, then at Chatham and Portsmouth. These followed a similar design, although HMS Drake was built from ashlar. Part of the initial phase of construction, and part of one of the finest and most complete barrack complexes in England, manifesting the status and importance of the Royal Navy at this time. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Devon: London: 1989-: 655 & 656).

Listing NGR: SX4500156824