OLD DEVONPORT . UK
www.olddevonport.uk
 

ROYAL DOCKYARD

NORTH YARD

The Albert Gate suitably decorated with a model of Drake's "Golden Hinde"
for the Coronation celebrations in 1953.
©  City of Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery.

As from November 1903 the Keyham Steam Yard was to be known as the North Yard and the area surrounding the original First Dock was to become the South Yard.

Flagstaff Steps in North Yard, Devonport Dockyard.
From a postcard.

Within North Yard were Basin 2, accessed by the South Lock, and within which were Docks 5, 6 and 7; Basin 3; the Boat Basin; Wharf 1, upon which was the Flag Captain's Signal Station and Flagstaff Steps; Wharf 2; the Quadrangle; the Iron Foundry.

Devonport's first Floating Dock was berthed somewhere within North Yard in 1876.

The Central Offices, on a site inside the North Yard between the Albert Road and Saint Levan Road Gates, were opened in 1911.

The principal entrance was through the Albert Gate, at the junction of Keyham Road and Albert Road but there was another one at the northern end of North Yard which was replaced in 1900 by the Saint Levan Road Gate.

Albert Road Gate was closed on Sunday September 4th 1966 and replaced by the present entrance just around the corner actually in Albert Road.  In October 1966 the new Central Office Block 1 (COB1) was brought in to use and this was followed by Block 2 (COB2) in 1970.

In 1977 the three covered docks of the Frigate Complex were officially opened.  Work could now continue on the ships whatever the weather.