Monument record MHG56988 - WWI Floating Docks - Invergordon Harbour

WWI Floating Docks in Invergordon Harbour.

Invergordon was a major naval repair yard in World War I. A number of town centre buildings were tken over or built by the Navy as workshops. Two floating docks were installed at the end of the West Pier. The first, capable of accommodating the largest British warship, arrived in September 1914. A second, for light cruisers, was later added. Ships coming into Invergordon for repair were given a 10 days to be fixed. <1>

The site was investigated in 2015 as part of the ARCH project 'Invergordon in World War I'. The largest dock, with a capacity for 31,500 tons was the Portsmouth Dock, built originally by Cammel Laird in 1912. The second dock was built by Swan Hunter, and leased by the Admiralty, and was then in use at Invergordon from September 1916 until April 1920 (information from Invergordon Archive). The Invergordon Archive also has a number of photos. A WWI Naval plan in private possession shows a floating dock at the end of the West pier, beyond the three ships anchored which provided accommodation for dockyard workers. <2>

At least three versions of a WWI Naval plan survive, two in private collection which probably date to wartime, and one in the National Archives (MPI 1/641/4) which dates to 1921. On all three the buildings taken over or built by the Navy are shaded, but there are a few discrepancies between the plans. One of the plans in private collection has enlarged details, but only shows the Admiralty buildings and not others in the town. Valuation Rolls also indicate some buildings not shaded on our plans were taken over by the military. It is clear from contemporary photographs that the army built additional buildings, particularly north of Cromlet Drive. <3>