Although originally listed by the Property Services Agency in 1975 as the  "Dockyard Lower School", this three-storey building is now listed by National Heritage as the Master Ropemaker's Office.

When it was built in 1772-73 the Master Ropemaker's House (S 103) had a small office attached to it but in circa 1816 it was replaced by the building pictured here, when Mr Edward Holl, architect to the Navy Board, was rebuilding the East Rope House after the disastrous fire of June 1812.  It was constructed of Plymouth limestone rubble.  It was extended circa 1868 by squared and coursed limestone with ashlar dressings.  The bay shown in the picture above is supported on cast-iron Tuscan columns.

By 1912 the ground floor had been converted into a Boiler House and Machine Room for the Engine House opposite it attached to the East Rope House and West Rope House, to which it was linked by a bridge over the roadway and an underground shaft.  The top floor was transformed into a Dining Room.

The Dining Room was used for the Dockyard Lower School from 1945 to an unspecified date.

It is not known why this single building has two building numbers, S 97 and S 98.

Interestingly the original Property Services Agency listing referred to the building as 'the only surviving free standing boiler house built for a Ropery', which is now clearly incorrect.

Under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and succeeding legislation the Master Ropemaker's Office has Listed Building Grade 2 status.