Sunderland, Barracks

Barracks shown on the 1st edition OS mapping shows a ball alley, hospital and magazine within the site {1}. In response to the Napoleonic threat in the late 18th century, volunteer regiments were set up and barracks were constructed. In Sunderland men were housed in rented accomodation, but purpose-built barracks were constructed in 1794, close to the harbour. A hospital for 80 patients was also built a short distance to the south {2}. Timber barracks built in 1785, a hospital was added in 1803. The barracks were rebuilt in the early C19. A plan of 1848 shows the officer's quarters, two opposed ranges of men's barracks with a polygonal kitchen blcok at one end and an L-shaped hospital. A lithograph circa 1850 also shows the barracks. The barrack ranges were two-storeys with hipped roofs, divided into 19 large rooms, each housing 36 men in double berths. The 20 sergeants rooms housed 4 men in bunks. The officer's house contained two mess establishments for 6 field officers, 16 captains and 13 subalterns plus five servants. The rest of the complex included cook houses, washrooms, privies, a magazine, guard house, coal yard, fire-engine house, officer's stable and canteen all along the perimeter wall.