Clocktower Building, 1723
This is the oldest naval store-house to survive in any of the Royal Dockyards and can be found at Chatham.
The Clocktower Building was constructed at the head of the docks as a "present use store" for materials needed by ships under construction or repair. Such items included lead, iron, copper, oakum (for caulking), pitch and tar. The top floor was used as a mould loft, and the six ground floor bays at the north (far) end of the building were left open and used as sawpits.
The store was rebuilt in 1802, when its original timber cladding was replaced by the brick skin visible today. The clock has three bells: the hour bell is dated 1702 and the half- and quarter-hour bells date from the time of its reconstruction.
In the 20th century the building was converted into office accommodation. It was structurally restored in 1992-93 and adapted in 1996-97 to become the University of Kent's Bridge Warden's College.
Clocktower Building, 1723
This is the oldest naval store-house to survive in any of the Royal Dockyards and can be found at Chatham.
The Clocktower Building was constructed at the head of the docks as a "present use store" for materials needed by ships under construction or repair. Such items included lead, iron, copper, oakum (for caulking), pitch and tar. The top floor was used as a mould loft, and the six ground floor bays at the north (far) end of the building were left open and used as sawpits.
The store was rebuilt in 1802, when its original timber cladding was replaced by the brick skin visible today. The clock has three bells: the hour bell is dated 1702 and the half- and quarter-hour bells date from the time of its reconstruction.
In the 20th century the building was converted into office accommodation. It was structurally restored in 1992-93 and adapted in 1996-97 to become the University of Kent's Bridge Warden's College.