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  1. Military Archaeology

Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth

The Devonport Naval Heritage Centre is located in some of the historic buildings of the Royal Navy Base at Plymouth. These photographs were taken on one of the centre's early open days which coincided with the 2004 Navy Days.
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  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Instructional model. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    "The Queen God Bless Her" The Royal Navy Rum Ration. The Royal Navy rum ration, or "tot", from 1850 to 1970 consisted of one-eighth of an imperial pint (71 ml) of rum at 95.5 proof (54.6% ABV), given out to every sailor at midday. Senior ratings (petty officers and above) received their rum neat, whilst for junior ratings it was diluted with two parts of water to make three-eighths of an imperial pint (213 ml) of grog. The rum ration was served from one particular barrel, also known as the "Rum Tub", which was ornately decorated and was made of oak and reinforced with brass bands with brass letters saying "The Queen, God Bless Her". Not all sailors necessarily drew their rum: each had the option to be marked in the ship's books as "G" (for Grog) or "T" (for Temperance, if they were members of the Temperance Movement). Sailors who opted to be "T" were given three pence (3d) a day instead of the rum ration, although most preferred the rum. The time when the rum ration was distributed was called "Up Spirits", which was between 11 am and 12 noon. A common cry from the sailors was "Stand fast the Holy Ghost". This was in response to the bosun's call "Up Spirits". Each mess had a "Rum Bosun" who would collect the rum from the officer responsible for measuring the right number of tots for each mess. The officers did not get a rum ration. Tot glasses were kept separate from any other glasses. They were washed on the outside, but never inside, in the belief that residue of past tots would stick to the side of the glass and make the tot even stronger. Sailors under 20 were not permitted a rum ration, and were marked on the ship's books as "UA" (Under Age). The rum ration was abolished in 1970 over concerns that it might lead to accidents! (Information from Wikipedia.) This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Navy rum cart This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Haulage Wagons were used to move items around the Dockyard. This shows the marking "south" which means it was allocated to Devonport South Yard. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Examples of ship names and other castings created by the yard foundry. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Casting patterns This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Rope walk with examples of ropes. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Ropes This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Ropes laid out in the rope walk. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Mark 7 military canoe of the type used in Operation Frankton by the "Cockleshell Heroes". This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    This 11th Century Chinese Bell used to stand on the lawn in front of Admiralty House, Devonport. It is believed to weigh almost 1 tonne. It was presented to the then Commander-in-Chief, Sir Edward H Seymour GCB OM, in July 1903 by the crew of the Royal Navy cruiser HMS PIQUE, who had discovered it in an ancient temple or pagoda in Shan-hai-kwan This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Architect's model for the the Frigate Complex erected at Devonport Dockyard in the 1970s. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    HMS SHEFFIELD memorabilia. HMS Sheffield was a Type 42 guided missile destroyer and the second Royal Navy ship to be named after the city of Sheffield in Yorkshire. Commissioned on 16 February 1975 the Sheffield was part of the Task Force 317 sent to the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War. She was struck by an Exocet air-launched anti-ship missile from an Argentinian Super Étendard aircraft on 4 May 1982 and foundered while under tow on 10 May 1982. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    HMS BEAVER memorabilia. HMS BEAVER was one of 10 Type 22 missile frigate of the Broadsword Class ordered by the Royal Navy. The ship was laid down at the Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd., Scotstoun, on 20 June 1980 and finally commissioned on 13 December 1984. Originally 22 ships of the class were planned to be built, but after the Falklands War, it was decided 10 was enough This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    "Corrosion Costs Money" examples of various work produced by dockyard painters. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    HMS BEAGLE life ring. Built in 1967 the survey ship was sold in 2002 to Indonesian interests. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Guns! This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Building S132 - one of the historic buildings in the South Yard. This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    The hangman's cell at HM Dockyard Devonport is reputed to be the last functional gallows in the UK or was when this photograph was taken in 2004. It is located in Store 25 at The Devonport South Dockyard.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    The hangman's cell at HM Dockyard Devonport is reputed to be the last functional gallows in the UK or was when this photograph was taken in 2004. It is located in Store 25 at The Devonport South Dockyard.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    The hangman's cell at HM Dockyard Devonport is reputed to be the last functional gallows in the UK or was when this photograph was taken in 2004. It is located in Store 25 at The Devonport South Dockyard.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    The hangman's cell at HM Dockyard Devonport is reputed to be the last functional gallows in the UK or was when this photograph was taken in 2004. It is located in Store 25 at The Devonport South Dockyard.

  • Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    Devonport Naval Heritage Centre, Plymouth - August 28, 2004

    This photograph was taken on Navy Days 2004 - one of the Heritage Centre's early open days.

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