SDO9732 - Drain in the T A Barracks, Dorchester.

At the end of October a subsidence in the road within the barracks revealed a drain running ESE parallel to the main barrack block at SY 68749079. At its broadest visible point it was 10ft wide and approximately 6ft to 10ft deep. The drain was vaulted in brown and black mottled brick and was two bricks thick. According to Mr. C. W. Pike, F.R.I.B.A., the brick was similar to Broadmayne Brick of the mid or late 19th century (cf. PDNHAS, 77, 129). The remains of the top of the arch were within 18 inches of the tarmac. Probing showed that the drain was at least 18 feet long, probably more. At the NW end it came to an abrupt walled end at a point 21 ft from the main barrack building. Throughout it was filled with rubble even where the road had not subsided on this occasion; hence it is likely that subsidence has occurred here before.