OLD DEVONPORT . UK
www.olddevonport.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: June 28, 2019
Webpage updated: June 28, 2019

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ROYAL DOCKYARD  |  NORTH YARD EXTENSION

BASIN 4

Moving northwards from the Royal Dockyard's North Yard and Basin number 3 comes Basin 4, which was the only tidal one in the Dockyard.

Basin 3 was 600 feet long from south to north by 740 feet east to west.  It covered 10 acres and 37 perches and provided wharfage of 2,000 feet.  The entrance direct from the Hamoaze, 120 feet in width, was in the western wall.  This entrance is note worthy for having rounded ends as there was no Caisson to make provision for.  The northern head, which was known as Number 4 Wharf, and the whole length of the river wall were constructed within a cofferdam by sinking concrete columns in trenches.  The southern head became Number 3 Wharf.

The lower part of the tidal basin walls were of concrete while the top was faced above low-water level with granite ashlar.  Temporary timber piles of pitch pine were used at first but were completely eaten away by "Teredo Navilis" after three or four years and had to be replaced by the more resistant Blue Gum timber.