Sheerness

Sheerness, a strongly fortified seaport and royal dockyard in Kent, on the north-west extremity of the Isle of Sheppey, at the confluence of the Thames and Medway, 11 miles ENE. of Chatham and 52 E. of London by rail. It consists of four divisions, Blue-town, Mile-town, Banks-town, and Marina-town, and of these the first is within the limits of the garrison. The dockyard, dating from 1814, is one of the finest in Europe, and covers 60 acres, comprising wet and dry docks, immense storehouses, and official residences. The harbour is usually crowded with vessels of all descriptions. At Garrison Point are the residence of the port-admiral, the telegraph, coastguard station, and barracks. The chief trade is in supplying the requirements of the employees in the various government establishments and of the shipping, and in the export of oysters from the neighbouring oyster-beds. The neighbourhood was once thought to be very unhealthy, but important sanitary works have been carried out, and there are now few towns the population of which enjoy better health. The sea-bathing is excellent. Pop. (1851) 8549; (1881) 14,286; (1891) 13,841. Sheerness was captured by the Dutch under De Ruyter in 1667, and here the mutiny of the Nore (q.v.) broke out in 1798.