Portsmouth Dockyard
Portsmouth Dockyard, Portsmouthcounty:
Hampshire
Period - 18th century, early
... The strength of the town is also considerably augmented on the land-side, by the fortifications raised in King William's time about the docks and yards, which are now perfected, and those parts made a particular strength by themselves; and tho' they are indeed in some sense independent one of another, yet they cover and strengthen one another, so as they cannot be separately attack'd on that side, while they are both in the same hands.
These docks and yards are now like a town by themselves, and are a kind of marine corporation, or a government of their own kind within themselves; there being particular large rows of dwellings built at the publick charge, within the new works, for all the principal officers of the place; especially the commissioner, the agent of the victualling, and such as these; the tradesmen likewise have houses here, and many of the labourers are allow'd to live in the bounds as they can get lodging.
... the este side of Portesmuth Haven.
...
... a great dok for shippes, and yn this dok lyith yet part of the rybbes of the Henry Grace of Dieu, one of the biggest shippes that hath been made in hominum memoria.
Minns says:- The Henri Grace a Dieu, a great ship built at Erith, which conveyed Henry VIII. from Dover to the 'Field of the Cloth of Gold.'
