OLD DEVONPORT . UK
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ROYAL DOCKYARD  |  SOUTH YARD

MASTER ROPEMAKER'S HOUSE (S103)

The Master Ropemaker's House in the South Yard of the Royal Dockyard was built in 1772-73 of coursed limestone rubble with limestone dressings and a hipped, slate roof.  It formed part of a new Ropery complex that included the East Rope House, West Rope House, the Hemp House, the Spinning House, the White Yarn House, the Black Yard Houses, and the Tarring and Wheel House.

Officially known as number 2 East Avenue, South Yard, the three-storey property faced north and was surrounded on north, east and south sides by a large garden, of which the east side was against the Dockyard Wall.  Attached to the south was a small former brewhouse or laundry.  The room on the north side was used as the office.

The House and attached railings and garden wall have Grade II Listed Building status.

In 1815 a Master Ropemaker's Office (S97 and S98) was erected a short distance to the north.

On the 1912 Ordnance Survey map of the Royal Dockyard the property is shown as the Master Rigger's House.

It is understood that it later became the Turncock's House and was certainly occupied from the late 1960s until 1978 by a Resident Turncock and his family.