SDO16380 - The Portland Naval Base, Portland, Dorset. Assessment of archaeological and historic importance

The assessment comprised an examination of existing documentary resources including photographs and maps and a site visit. The report was divided into two volumes, the first covering the documentary history of the site and structures and the second listing the historic structures and showing them on modern maps. The report concluded that the most sensitive areas were those associated with the naval base’s earliest development. These included various buildings to the SW of the site centred on the 1848 engineer’s office, a great coaling shed dated to 1860 and other more fragmentary buildings. There were also inner and outer breakwaters and a row of batteries. There were inconsistencies in relation to scheduling and statutory protection across these buildings. Various recommendations were made in relation to further documenting the modern structures on the site including the metalwork and machinery. It also recommended that historic objects could be removed for conserving; an archive of papers be given to the records office; the coaling shed by re-assessed for upgrading to II; a watching brief while the site was made safe and vacated.