OLD DEVONPORT . UK
www.olddevonport.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: June 20, 2019
Webpage updated: April 17, 2021

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ROYAL DOCKYARD  |  NORTH YARD

BASIN 2

South Basin.
Note the twin towers of the entrance to the Keyham Steam yard in the distance.
From a postcard.

Basin 2, the first Basin past Moon Cove and originally known as the South Basin when the Keyham Steam Yard was opened in October 1853, was 7 acres 0 roods 32 perches in extent.  It's nominal depth at Mean High Water at Spring Tides (MHWST) was said to be 33 feet 6 inches.

It could be entered from the Hamoaze via South Lock or through Basin 3 via Caisson C.

Accessed from Basin 2 were Docks 5, 6, and 7.  These were originally known as Dock 1, 2 and Queen's Dock.

It is thought that this picture shows HMS "Vigilant" entering Dock number 5
and HMS "Cambrian" mo0red in number 2 Basin.
From a postcard.

On the south side of Basin 2, adjoining South Lock, were the Range Finder Repair House; Oxygen Plant House and Oxygen Store, two Gas Holders, and a Pumping Engine.  After Caisson D, inside the Basin itself, was a New Pumping Engine, a Plumbers Shop, and a Coaling Site with a conveyor to the Boiler House that, with the Engine and Dynamo House, stood alongside Dock 5.  Caisson G gave access to Dock 2; Caisson F to Dock 6; and Caisson E to Dock 7, the former Queen's Dock.  On the northern side of that Dock was an Engine House (adjacent to the Dockyard Railway's Locomotive Shed), the Superintendent Naval Store Officer's Machinery Store Number 2, and a building which had the Estimator's Office on the first floor and a Dockyard Post Office on the ground floor at the western end, facing over Basin 2. 

On the northern side of Bassin2 was Steam Sheers Number 1, capable of lifting 30 tons, linked to a Crab Shed.  The railway crossed Caisson C to the far western quay, upon which were Cook and Wash House Number 5, a Custom Shed and Office, a Canteen and the most important building of all, the Flag Captain's Office at the Flagstaff Steps.  Finally, on the outside wall of Basin 2, on Number 1 Wharf, was the Submarine Battery Shop.

Most of these buildings were linked to the Dockyard Railway.

Between 1972 and 1977 Basin 2 and Docks 5, 6 and 7 were converted into the Frigate Complex.