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20. DEFENSIBLE BARRACKS
A scheduled Grade 11* listed building overlooking the dockyard, the
Defensible Barracks was built to
defend the dockyard from a land attack. The building was started in 1841
and completed in 1846 at a cost of £39,323.9.9. It is said to be an
example of a renaissance style fortification based on a 16 Cent. Italian
design. The barracks was built to be garrisoned by : one officer of
Field Rank, eight Commissioned Officers, seven N.C.O's and 240 other
ranks. The fort's original defences consisted of 16 x 24 pdr. cannon
while there were rifle loops for 663 muskets. Water was
collected and filtered through charcoal to a 87,000 gallon underground
water tank. From 1885 gas was supplied from the
Admiralty Gas Works situated on the western side of the Hospital
alongside Fort Road. During WW2 Arthur Lowe of 'Dads Army' fame was
stationed in the Defensible Barracks. What with its exposed position on
the hill overlooking the Haven and its open 'Rifle Loops' exposing the
barrack rooms to the elements, the conditions weren't the most
comforting for the occupants.
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