Hms Drake St Nicholas Road Grenville Block

PLYMOUTH

SX45NW SALTASH ROAD, Devonport 740-1/4/172 (West side) 08/07/98 HMS Drake: St Nicholas Road, Grenville Block

GV II

Large barrack, one of 3 similar blocks. 1901, Superintendent Engineer Lt-Col P Smith, RE. MATERIALS: dressed Plymouth limestone brought to course and with limestone dressings; slate or asbestos slate roof behind parapets with moulded cornices to sides, and to projecting blocks, and behind pedimented gables with flanking panelled stone stacks with moulded entablature. STYLE: Free Classical. PLAN: overall rectangular plan plus projecting corner wings and central wings to sides. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys, over basement on the lower ground [the ground floor is slightly below ground level at the higher end]; symmetrical 2:3:2-bay ends which are principal entrance fronts with central doorways flanked by pairs of windows; doorways at slightly irregular intervals also to 2:8:2:8:2-bay sides. Mid-floor moulded entablature; entrance fronts have keyed segmental arches to ground floor and pediments to centre of wings; keyed round arches to recessed pilastered openings to 1st floor and flat heads with pediments to 2nd floor. Returns of the corner blocks have similar detail to the fronts. The central wings of the sides have rock-faced pilasters dividing the bays and triangular pediments to the parapets. The long ranges set back between have pedimented hoods on brackets to 1st floor and consoles resembling machicolations above 2nd-floor windows. Original horned sashes with glazing bars an panelled doors. INTERIOR: not inspected, but noted as having large dormitories, with end corner washrooms and central stairs. HISTORY: part of the second phase of construction; in their plan the barracks followed the pavilion principle, better known for hospitals. They were originally fitted with hammocks. Sailors lived in hulks until their first barracks were built, here at Devonport, then Chatham and Portsmouth. HMS Drake was the only one built of ashlar. Part 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: SX4482856881