Description

PLYMOUTH

SX45NW SALTASH ROAD, Devonport
740-1/4/173 (West side)
08/07/98 HMS Drake: St Nicholas Road, Raleigh
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 end 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 partly below ground level at the higher end);
symmetrical 2:3:2-bay ends which are principal entrance fronts
with central doorways and pairs of flanking 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.
INTERIOR: not inspected, but noted as having large dormitories
with end corner washrooms and central stairs.
HISTORY: part of the second phase of construction of HMS
Drake; 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. Built to a common design, HMS Drake was the only
one of ashlar.
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: SX4479956845

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26666087

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)