Chatham, a large and populous, but irregular town, adjoining to the east side of Rochester, and extending along the banks of the Medway, and up Chatham-hill. The celebrity of this place, has arisen entirely from its Dockyard and Arsenal, which occupy an extensive area on the north side of the town, measuring nearly a mile in length, and defended on the land-side, by strong fortifications, principally of modern origin. This town has experienced considerable improvements under the operation of an act for paving and lighting, obtained in the year 1772; but the streets are still narrow, crowded, and uneligible, in almost every point of view.

Near the entrance into Chatham is the King's Victualling-office, a place of appropriate neatness and convenience, from which his Majesty's ships at Chatham and Sheerness are supplied with provisions. On the south side of the street, not far from hence, stood an hospital for leprous persons, founded in 1078 by Bishop Gundulph, and dedicated to St. Bartholomew. No part of the mansion is standing, houses having been long since erected upon its site. The Chapel, however, remains, and the East end exhibits marks of considerable antiquity. It is circular, having stone walls three feet thick, with a stone roof. There are three narrow windows, in one of which the zigzag mouldings used in early Norman buildings may be traced, but the mouldings of the other two windows are smooth, being corroded by time and weather. Hugh de Trotesclive, a monk of the priory of Rochester, being registered as the builder of a church for lepers in honour of St. Bartholomew, the constructing of this part of the Chapel has been attributed, to him. This edifice has been used for many years as a Chapel of Ease to Chatham Church. Since the year 1627, the estates of this charitable institution have been vested in the Dean of Rochester, as governor and patron of the hospital and brethren. There are still four persons styled brethren, two of whom are in orders, supported by the revenues.

An hospital, founded by Sir John Hawkins, for poor decayed mariners and shipwrights, stands on the opposite side of the street: from an inscription on the wall, it appears that the first building appropriated to their reception was finished in the year 1592. At the request of the founder, Queen Elizabeth granted a charter of incorporation, by the name of "the governors of the hospital of Sir John Hawkins, Knt. at Chatham." Ten pensioners are maintained in this hospital, who have a small weekly allowance, and a chaldron of coals yearly. No person is eligible who has not been maimed or disabled in the service of the navy, or otherwise brought to poverty whilst in that service. By Queen Elizabeth's charter of incorporation, dated August 27, 1594, the governors are always to be twenty-six in number, of whom four only are elective, and the others sit by virtue of their respective offices. These are, the archbishop of Canterbury; the bishop of Rochester; the lord high admiral; the lord warden of the Cinque Ports; the dean of Rochester; the treasurer, comptroller, surveyor, and clerk of the navy; six principal masters of mariners; two principal shipwrights; and the master and wardens of the Trinity house, for the time being. The buildings of the hospital have been renovated within the last 30 years.

The principal objects of attention in Chatham, are the Dockyard and Arsenal. The Dock appears to have been formed in the time of Queen Elizabeth, but then occupied the site of the present Ordnance Wharf, the alteration having taken place in the reign of James I. Charles I. erected several storehouses, and extended the site of the yard. His son, Charles II. took a view of it in 1660. Including the Ordnance Wharf, this Dockyard is about a mile in length. The commissioner, and other principal officers, have elegant houses to reside in. Here are many spacious storehouses, one of which is 220 yards in length. The sail-loft is 210 feet long. Though an immense quantity of stores of all kinds are deposited in these magazines, yet they are arranged in so regular a manner, that, on any emergency, whatever is wanted may be procured with the greatest dispatch. Upwards of twenty fires are constantly employed in the smith's shop. Here the anchors are made, some of which weigh near five tons. The rope-house is 1140 feet in length, in which cables are made 120 fathoms long, and 22 inches round. In this yard are four docks for repairing ships, and six slips for building new ones. Here the Victory was built, a first-rate, carrying 110 guns. The new Royal George, of 100 guns, was built here in the year 1788, and was the first ship of that rate ever launched from a slip; the Royal Charlotte, of the same dimensions, was also built here. The ordnance wharf occupies a narrow slip of land below the chalk-cliff, between the church and the river. This being the original dockyard, is frequently called the Old Dock. The guns belonging to each ship are ranged in tiers, with the name of the ship to which they belong marked upon them; as also their weight of metal. Many progressive improvements have long been making throughout the whole of this great national establishment.

The Church is situated on an eminence adjoining to the office of ordnance. An ancient structure on this site was destroyed by fire, in the early part of the 14th century, and the Pope, in order to enable the inhabitants to rebuild it, by a bull dated 1352, granted to all who should contribute to so pious a work, a relaxation from penances for one year and forty days. The royal dockyard having been much increased in 1635, the commissioners of his majesty's navy repaired the church, rebuilt and enlarged the west end, and erected the steeple; but notwithstanding these and other improvements, the church was still too small for the parishioners, and in the year 1788 the whole of the structure, except the steeple part, was taken down, and rebuilt, of larger dimensions, with brick. The interior is commodious, and the galleries are spacious and uniform. The churchyard being too small for the great number of parishioners, the office of ordnance have granted a large piece of land, a little distance from the church, for a burying-ground.

According to the returns under the population act, in 1811, it appears that Chatham then contained 12,652 inhabitants, who are chiefly employed in the dockyard, or in trades connected with the shipping.

Numerous Roman remains were discovered in the neighbourhood of Chatham, when the extensive fortifications called the Lines were formed. No less than 100 graves were opened by Mr. Douglas, (hen captain in the Engineer Company. Many of these were found near the southeastern extremity of the Lines, towards Upberry Farm. They contained human skeletons of both sexes, together with swords, spear heads, beads of various colour, the umbo of a shield, different pieces of armour, a bottle of red earth, an urn filled with ashes, great numbers of Roman coins, the impressions mostly obliterated, and other antiquities. On breaking up the ground, in another part of the fortifications, the workmen met with a strong foundation of a building. On removing the earth, this was found to be the outer wall of a range of small apartments; the largest not more than ten feet square. The inner walls were painted in fresco with red, blue, and green spots; and among the rubbish were fragments having broad red stripes, and others with narrow stripes of different colours. In forming the contiguous works, numerous Roman coins were met with, one of which was of the Empress Faustina, and another of the Emperor Claudius, in good preservation; there was also found an Athenian coin of silver, having on one side the head of Minerva, armed with a skull cap; and on the reverse an owl, with a sprig of laurel. Pieces of Roman tile, spearheads, paterae, lachrymatories, and other antique vessels, were also dug up.

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CHATHAM with Luton constitutes a municipal and parliamentary borough, with government establishments of great importance, and is a large town and parish, on the south bank of the Medway river, and adjoining Rochester; it is 7 ¾ miles north from Maidstone, 9 south-east from Gravesend, 27 west from Canterbury, 44 north-west from Dover, 42 west from Margate and from Ramsgate and 33 from London, in the Mid division of the county, lathe of Aylesford, hundred of Chatham and Gillingham, partly in the city and liberty of Rochester, and in Rochester petty sessional division and county court district, Medway union, and in the rural deanery, archdeaconry and diocese of Rochester. The South Eastern and Chatham railway has a station near Fort Pitt, and passes through three tunnels here, the third, approached by a viaduct across the town, is through Chatham Lines. The North Kent branch railway has been extended to Chatham from the former terminus at Strood by means of a bridge across the Medway, completed in 1890. Behind the Sun hotel is a pier, erected in 1886, and owned by the Corporation. The borough extends partly along the river side and partly eastward through and along the sides of a valley with the elevated Chatham lines on the one side and the Downs on the other, from both of which fine and extensive views can be obtained. From its position many of the streets in the town are very steep; the High street and the older portions are narrow, but the Military road, the road by the barracks, and the New road are broad thoroughfares, the two last being planted with trees. The town is supplied with water by a company from reservoirs on Chatham Hill, filled from the works at Luton; the reservoirs have a capacity of 3 ¼ million gallons; the wells are 160 feet deep, and communicating adits or galleries furnish additional supplies. The town is lighted with gas from works at Rochester and Gillingham, the property of the Rochester, Chatham and Strood Gaslight Co. and some of the shops are lit by electricity by the Chatham, Rochester and District Electric Lighting Co. Limited, whose works are in Whittaker street: the town was improved by an Act passed in 1772.

An electric tram service on the overhead system was opened in June, 1902, by the Chatham and District Light Railways Co.; the system unites Chatham with Gillingham and brings the suburbs of both into communication. The power house is at Luton.

The parliamentary borough comprises parts of the parishes of Chatham and Gillingham and returns one member. The town was formerly governed by a Local Board of 15 members from 1873, but was incorporated by Royal Charter 11th December, 1890. The borough is divided into three wards, Luton being one, and is now governed by a mayor, six aldermen and 18 councillors, part of whom also form the burial board. The stipendiary magistrate for Chatham and Sheerness holds a court at the Police station every Monday and Thursday, and the Rochester Petty Sessions are also held there every Tuesday and Friday.

The church of St. Mary the Virgin, standing close to the river, was originally Saxon, but was rebuilt by the Normans about 1120, it was subsequently destroyed by fire and again rebuilt at the beginning of the 14th century, but only to be a second time burnt in 1786, after which it was almost entirely rebuilt in the style then prevailing: the chancel and side chapel were rebuilt in 1889 of Kentish rag, in the Early English style, from designs by Sir A. W. Blomfield M.A., A.R.A., F.S.A, at a cost of £3,400, and in 1897 the Victoria tower, which contains 8 bells and a clock, was built at a cost of £3,500. The complete restoration of the rest of the fabric is now (1902) proceeding in accordance with the plans of the same architect, at an estimated cost of £15,000. It still retains portions of Norman, Early English and Later work, including three Norman arches, discovered on taking down the west front, a nurthex porch, and the rood loft stairs: in the church is the tomb of Stephen Borough, who discovered the passage to Archangel: there are 800 sittings. The register dates from the year 1568. The living was declared a rectory May 11, 1866, net income £210, with residence and 3 acres of glebe in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Rochester, and held since 1895 by the Rev. John Tetley Rowe M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge, and surrogate.

St. John the Divine’s is an ecclesiastical parish, formed Oct. 22, 1852, out of Chatham: the church, erected in 1821, at a cost of £16,000, is of the Grecian-Doric order, and has a tower containing a clock and one bell: it was improved in 1859 at a cost of £3,000, and affords 1,100 sittings. The register dates from the year 1853. The living was declared a rectory April 3, 1866, net yearly value £215, with residence, in the gift of the rector of St. Mary, Chatham, and held since 1899 by the Rev. Charles James Digues-La-Touche M.A. of St. John’s College, Oxford.

St. Paul’s parish was formed Feb. 23, 1855, out of the parishes of St. John and St. Mary, Chatham and Gillingham: the church, in the New road, consecrated in January, 1854, is in the Transition style, and has a tower containing one bell: there are 850 sittings, 450 being free. The register dates from the year 1854. The living was declared a vicarage April 3, 1866, net yearly value £183, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Rochester, and held since 1889 by the Rev. Christopher Joseph Ord M.A. of Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

St. Bartholomew’s chapel, in Chatham Intra and standing on the site of an ancient hospital for lepers, cow serves as a chapel for the General Hospital, erected in 1863 in the adjoining road: the remains of the chapel, were discovered in 1874, during the carrying out of some improvements in the High street, and the restoration, begun in July, 1880, was completed in April, 1881, at a total cost of about £1,350: the tower contains one bell: the chancel, dating from about 1350, retains original Norman windows and an ancient doorway: the windows of the north chapel, also Norman, have been re-opened, as well as three others in the nave, two of which retain their original wooden lintels: there are 120 sittings, and such as are not required for the hospital staff are entirely free and unappropriated. The chaplaincy, yearly value £200, in the gift of the Dean of Rochester, has been held since 1878 by the Rev. John Bailey B.A., LL.B, of Trinity College, Dublin.

The Catholic church, in Ordnance place, dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, was erected in 1862-3 at a cost of £3,000, on a site purchased from the War Department for £375; it was opened by the Right Rev. Dr. Grant, 25 June, 1863, and will seat 450 persons.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church of England, New road, was erected in 1861, and has 500 sittings.

There are Bible Christian, Catholic Apostolic, Baptist, Congregational, Primitive Methodist, Unitarian and Free Methodist chapels, and Salvation Army barracks.

The Cemetery, in the Maidstone road, formed in 1869 at a cost of £12,200, comprises, twenty acres of consecrated and some unconsecrated ground: there are two mortuary chapels for the Church of England and Nonconformists respectively, under a single roof.

The Town Hall and Municipal Buildings were erected in 1898 in Military road, on a site purchased by the Corporation from the War Department, and are of stone, with Portland stone dressings: the municipal offices are arranged on the ground floor, where also are two committee rooms and a small hall: on the first floor are the town hall, council chamber, and mayor’s parlour: at one end of the hall is a gallery capable of seating about 150 persons: the buildings are heated by hot water and lighted by electricity.

The borough of Chatham Reform Club, Military road, opened 16 Feb. 1888, by the Earl of Aberdeen, of red brick and stone in the Classic style, was erected at a cost, including fittings, of £5,000, and includes a lecture hall capable of seating 450 persons, with stage and retiring rooms.

The Conservative Club, in the Military road, erected in 1898, includes a large hall, styled the “Queen’s Hall,” and capable of seating about 400 persons.

The Technical Institute, erected in 1894, is a large red brick building in the High street.

St. Bartholomew’s Hospital was originally founded by Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, in 1078, for the benefit of lepers returning from the Crusades, and after being many years in abeyance was reconstituted in 1858 and a General hospital erected on the New road, Chatham; this institution was opened in 1863 and is supported from the revenues of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and a grant of £1,000 yearly from Watts’ charity, Rochester, as well as by voluntary subscriptions, and these revenues are now administered by trustees appointed by the Court of Chancery. In 1880 an addition was made for outdoor patients, at a cost of £2,200; extensive alterations and additions are now (1902) in progress, at a cost of about £12,000, and including a detached home for 30 sisters and nurses.

The Hospital for Decayed Mariners and Shipwrights was founded by Sir John Hawkins, of Chatham, in 1592, and provides for twelve indoor and twelve outdoor pensioners.

The endowed charities for distribution are Payne’s, of £320 yearly, for bread, fuel and clothes and Sir E. Gregory’s of £70 yearly for bread. Friend Hoar’s, for coals, produces about £10 yearly.

Considerable business is carried on by means of the Medway, which is navigable for vessels of large tonnage.

Near the railway station is a bronze statue, erected in 1888, to Thomas Frederick Waghorn lieut. R.N. the pioneer and founder of the overland route to India, who was born at Chatham in 1800, entered the navy in 1812, and died in London 7 Jan. 1850.

Major Mawdistly Gaussen Best J.P. of Park House, Boxley, near Maidstone, is lord of the manor.

The area of the parish is 4,484 acres of land, 3 of water, 83 of tidal water and 20 of foreshore; rateable value, £121,638; the population in 1901 was (parish) 38,504, including 838 in the Royal Marine Barracks, 1,447 in the Chatham Barracks, 113 in Southill Barracks, 218 in the Royal Naval Hospital, 83 officials and their families and 680 inmates in Medway workhouse.

The area of the Municipal borough is 4,355; the population in 1901 was 37,057, viz.:-No. 1 or St. John’s Ward, 10,226; No. 2 or St. Mary’s Ward, 11,706; No. 3 or Luton Ward, 15,125.

The area of the Parliamentary borough is 2,728 acres; the population in 1901 was 78,755. The number of electors on the Parliamentary register in 1902 was 11,557.

The population of the Ecclesiastical parishes in 1901 was:-St. Mary the Virgin (parish church), 8,301; St. John the Divine, 7,029; St. Paul, 11,412.

Verger, St. Mary the Virgin, Arthur Shellock, 20 Bush street; verger, St. John the Divine, Alexander Martin, 85 Ordnance street.

The dockyard at Chatham was first founded in the time of Queen Elizabeth on the spot now occupied by the Ordnance wharf or Old dock, and was then defended by Upnor Castle, but in 1622 it was removed to its present site and constructed on an enlarged scale by Charles I. and was further improved by Charles II. In 1667 the Dutch Vice-Admiral, Van Ghent, acting under the orders of Admiral de Ruyter, destroyed some of the fortifications and storehouses, and burnt several ships here, and after this attack the place was strongly fortified and extended, and in 1758 and 1782 Acts of Parliament were passed for the purchase of land, and the construction of new works and Chatham is now one of the principal naval stations of the empire. The dockyard, by the addition of St. Mary’s island, has a river frontage of more than three miles: the older portion of the yard, stretching up the river to the town of Chatham, includes dry docks and slips, a ropery, workshops and storehouses, with residences for the officials: the modern extension comprises three large basins: a repairing basin of 21 acres, a factory basin of 20 acres and a fitting-out basin of 28 acres in extent, all with walls above 40 feet high and 21 feet thick at the base; in the first are four very fine stone docks, each upwards of 400 feet in length: an additional dock is now being (1902) constructed of 450 feet, while an extra building slip has just been completed: over the entrance-sill of this basin there is about 34 feet of water, and as the tide rises some 17 feet, there is consequently a considerable depth of water at all times, and from the fitting-out basin access is obtained much lower down the river, and between here and Sheerness the Medway has been dredged to enable large battle ships to steam between Sheerness and Chatham at ordinary tides; here are moored ships classed in the Fleet and Dockyard Reserves: the harbour was regulated and anchorages defined under “The Dockyard Ports Regulation Act, 1865” (28 & 29 Vict. c. 125). The yard is protected by a body of the Metropolitan police under the control of the admiral superintendent of the yard. There are waterworks on the premises, affording every facility for the extinction of fire. A large establishment is kept up here, and as many as 9,500 workmen of various kinds are employed. The workshops are fitted with ingenious machinery for dealing with the various metals used, and among the appliances is a monster crane at the fitting-out basin, capable of lifting no less than 160 tons: tramways connect the various parts, and there are also branches of the South Eastern and Chatham railway running into the yard. Within the walls of the dockyard is the Chapel, which is open to the public, who are also permitted to inspect the dockyard under certain regulations; the approaches and neighbourhood are strongly fortified, and in the marshes on either side of the river below the dockyard are two isolated forts, known as the Hoo and Dartnell forts, commanding the centre stream; at Gillingham is a factory for the construction of torpedoes. The Chatham division of Royal Marines have their head quarters here, with extensive barracks on the river side close to the town and St. Mary's church, and the Melville hospital for seamen and marines opposite is available for 340 patients, but this will be replaced by the new hospital in course of construction.

Chatham is an important depot for bluejackets, of which there are over 4,000 stationed there in a series of old wooden walls, all under the name of “Pembroke,” but they will be transferred to the fine Naval Barracks adjoining the dockyard, which are nearly ready to receive them.

MILITARY

Chatham is the head quarters of the Thames military district: the large infantry barracks in the town are on the slope of a hill overlooking the river, and surround an extensive parade ground, and near New Brompton are the St. Mary’s barracks: between the two are the Royal Engineers’ or Brompton barracks, erected in 1804, which will hold 1,200 men; the buildings form three sides of a square, the fourth side partly occupied by an entrance arch, erected as a memorial to the officers and men who fell in the Crimean war, 1854—5—6, and inscribed with their names; opposite is the fine building of the Royal Engineer Institute and head quarters of the School of Military Engineering, founded here in 1812, and presided over by an officer of the Royal Engineers: in the course of each year’s practice, siege operations are sometimes carried on upon a large scale, and a portion of land in the Tear is set apart for exercise in the construction of field works and shelter trenches: in front stands the bronze memorial by E. Onslow Ford A.R.A, to Major-General Charles George Gordon R.E., C.B. killed at Khartoum, 26 Jan. 1885, and erected in 1890 to his memory by the corps of Royal Engineers: he is represented seated on a camel, in full uniform as an Egyptian Pasha and Governor-General of the Soudan.

In July, 1902, General Viscount Kitchener G.C.B., G.C.M.G, presented to the Royal Engineers, the corps: in which he commenced his military career, as mementoes of the South African Campaign, 1899—1902-four large statues of Boer leaders, viz. ex-President Kruger, ex-President Steyn, General Botha and General Cronje; the first three were brought by him from Pretoria and the last from Bloemfontein, and had been erected in the places named shortly after the defeat of Dr. Jameson at Krugersdorp; the statues are placed in the barrack grounds, and each weighs about two tons.

The officer commanding the district occupies a mansion adjoining the institute, and the whole is surrounded by well kept grounds; officers have a fine recreation ground and also a cricket ground.

The garrison church, a building of stone in the Early English style, occupies an elevated site, and consists of chancel and nave and a turret containing one bell: it is used both for Church of England and Presbyterian services and is also open to the public. The Rev. Owen Alfred Wedekind O’Neill M.A. of Queen’s College, Cambridge and the Rev. Maurice Jones B.A. of Jesus College, Oxford, are the chaplains of the Established Church, and the Rev. J. Nelson Macdonald Presbyterian chaplain. Catholic troops attend St. Michael’s and the Wesleyans the garrison church at Old Brompton.

The Soldiers’ Institute and Garrison Club, begun in 1861, and within the boundary of Chatham barracks, is an edifice of brick and Bath stone and contains two principal floors, with a small mezzanine floor in the rear. On the lower floor are smoking and coffee rooms and a serving bar: there is also a billiard room, a fives court and bowling alley. The reading-room and library above are so arranged as to be thrown into one large apartment occupying the entire extent of the upper floor. The library contains about 7,500 volumes. In 1872 the garrison lecture theatre was added, and will hold about 600 people.

There is a fine gymnasium for the troops near the Brompton barracks.

The Soldiers’ and Seamen’s Home and Institute, Military road, instituted in 1878, is open every day to all ranks of both branches of the service: it includes a refreshment room, open to the public until 10 p.m., a library of 700 volumes and reading room, baths, beds, smoking and recreation rooms and a lecture room where entertainments, meetings and Evangelistic services are held; there is also a locker room with nearly 100 private lockers for the use of soldiers and sailors.

A branch of the Aldershot Mission Hall and Soldiers’ Home was established here by Mrs. Daniell in 1863 and is situated in Old Brompton.

Chatham lines comprise a series of earth-works on the land side, enclosing all the government establishments, and outside is a considerable area of grassy upland re-served by the military authorities for the drilling and instruction of the troops; a large piece of enclosed ground is devoted to cricket. The public are allowed free access to these lands, which overlook the town of Chatham and the Medway and command some extensive views.

Chatham is the headquarters of the 4th Volunteer Battalion the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment).

Thames Military District

Comprising the County of Kent, except those portions included in the South Eastern & Woolwich Districts, & those portions of the County of Essex contained in the parishes of Little Thurrock, Chadwell, East & West Tilbury, North & South Shoebury, Great & Little Wakering, Foulness & Havengore.

MEDWAY UNION

Board day, Wednesday at the union, at 11 a.m..

The union comprises the following places:-Chatham, Gillingham, St. Margaret Intra & Extra Rochester, St. Nicholas Rochester, Lidsing Ville, Grange Hamlet & Cathedral Precincts, Rochester. The population in 1901 was 97,006; area, 12,080 acres; rateable value in 1902, £376,955.

The Workhouse, erected in 1855, on an elevated site near Luton, is a structure of brick, available for 750 inmates.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of services

St. Mary-the-Virgin (Parish Church), Rev. John Tetley Rowe M.A. rector; Rev. Arthur Pickard Hall M.A. & Rev. Arthur Lumley Temple M.A. curates; sun. matins 10.45, children’s 3.15, evensong 6.30; daily, matins 8, evensong 8.

St. Mary’s Mission Room, Cross street, Brook; evensong sun. 6.30 p.m.; tues. 7.30 p.m.

St. John’s Church, Railway street, Rev. Charles James Digues La Touche M.A. rector; Rev. Edwin Tucker & Rev. Edwin George Lincoln Wansbrough A.K.C.L, curates; 7.15, 8 & 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; daily, 7.15 & 7.45 a.m. & 6 p.m.; wed. 7.30 p.m.

St. Paul’s Church, New road, Rev. Christopher Joseph Ord M.A. vicar; Rev. Charles Albert Barnes & Rev. George Rees, curates; 10.45 & 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7.30 p.m.

St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Chapel, Rev. John Bailey B.A., LL.B, chaplain.

Garrison Church of England, Rev. Owen Alfred Wedekind O’Neill M.A. & Rev. Maurice Jones B.A. chaplains; matins & sermon, 10.15 & a.m. (parade services); children’s service, last sun. in month 3 p.m.; evensong & sermon, 6.30 p.m.; holy days, holy communion 8 a.m. wed. & fri. evensong 6.30 p.m.

Church of England, Royal Dockyard Chapel; Royal Marines (parade service), 11 a.m.; evensong 6.30 p.m.

Church of Scotland, for Presbyterian troops, sun. 8.45 a.m. in Garrison Chapel; for the Royal Marines & Naval Reserve belonging to Presbyterian Church at 10.30 a.m.& 6.30 p.m. in St. Andrew’s church, Chatham; National Scottish Church, Paget street, New Brompton; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, troops & Naval Reserve & Royal Marines, belonging to Wesleyan Church at 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. in the Garrison Chapel, Prospect road, Old Brompton; Rev. Francis R. Wilson, chaplain; a Sunday school is also held at 10 a.m. & 2.30 p.m.

St. Michael’s (Catholic), Ordnance place, Very Rev. Henry T. Canon Cafferata, rector, & Rev. Edgar Bourdelot; mass 8 a.m.; military mass 9.30 a.m.; high mass 11 a.m.; baptisms & churchings, 3.30 p.m.; vespers, 6.30 p.m.; mass on holy days, 7 & 9.30 a.m.; evening service, 7.30 p.m.; daily masses, 7 & 8 a.m.; evening service, mon. 8 p.m. & fri. 7.30 p.m.

St. Paulinus Catholic Church in Manor st. Brompton; sundays, mass at 9 & 10 a.m. (seamen R.N.); evening service 6.30 p.m.; week days, mass 8 a.m.; tues benediction 8 p.m.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian. Church of England, New rd. Rev. Samuel Dowden Scammell F.R.G.S.; 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; thurs. 7.30 p.m.

Baptist (Zion), Clover street, Rev. Frederick Edward Blackaby; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; mon. & wed. 8 p.m.

Baptists (Enon), Nelson road; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7 p.m.

Bible Christians, Union street, Rev. James Morris; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7.15 p.m.

Bible Christians, Luton road, Rev. Wm. Robert Arscott Budd; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7.30 p.m.

Catholic Apostolic, New road; 10 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Congregational (Ebenezer), Clover street, Rev. Joseph Roberts Webster; 10.45 & 6.30 p.m.; tues. 7.15 p.m.

Congregational (Ebenezer Mission), Brook; 6.30 p.m.

Congregational (Ebenezer Mission), Chatham hill; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Mills terrace, Rev. Wm. Wardle; 10.45 am & 6.30 p.m.; tues. 7.30 p.m.

Salvation Army Hall, Church street; 7 & 11 a.m. 3 & 6.30 p.m.; daily except thurs. 8 p.m.

Unitarian, Hamond hill; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.

United Free Methodist, John street; 10.45 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; wed. 7.30 p.m.

SCHOOLS

Borough of Chatham Technical Institute & Schools of Science & Art, High street; Harry Tingley, art master; Walter Cuckney, sec.

Rochester, Chatham & Gillingham Centre for Pupil Teachers, Technical Institute, High st.; David Foster, principal.

St. Mary’s National (girls & infants), Military road, for 540 children; average attendance, 200 girls & 270 infants.

St. Mary’s National (boys), Cross street, built in 1883, for 265 children; average attendance, 200.

St. John’s National, New road, erected in 1809, for 300 boys, 280 girls & 281 infants; average attendance, 278 boys, 250 girls & 270 infants West, infants’ mistress. The infants’ school is situated in Ordnance street & was erected in 1863.

St. Paul’s National (infants), New road, built in 1861, for 194 children; average attendance, 195.

St. Paul’s National (boys & girls), Claremont place, erected in 1884, for 202 boys & 202 girls; average attendance, 202 boys & 202 girls.

St. Paul’s National (junior mixed & infants), Magpie Hall road, built in 1894, for 247 mixed & 290 infants; average attendance, 247 mixed & 260 infants.

Garrison (boys & girls), Brompton Barracks, built for 130 boys & 100 girls; average attendance, 120 boys & 85 girls.

Garrison (infants), Chatham Barracks, Mrs. E. Fowler, mistress.

Royal Engineers (infants), St. Mary’s Barracks, built for 180 children; average attendance, 120.

Royal Marines, erected in 1879, in Military road, for 160 boys, 130 girls & 160 infants; the present average is 140 boys, 100 girls & 75 infants.

British, New road, built in 1890, for 240 boys & 160 girls & 130 infants; average attendance, 249 boys, 160 girls & 129 infants.

Catholic School (boys), Ordnance place, opened 1893 & enlarged in 1894, for 225 children; average attendance, 180.