The Depot for Prisoners of War at Norman Cross, Huntingdonshire. 1796 to 1816Walker, Thomas (Thomas James)
History
The Depot for Prisoners of War at Norman Cross, Huntingdonshire. 1796 to 1816
Walker, Thomas (Thomas James)
France -- History -- 1789-1815; Norman Cross depot; Prisoners of war
_Court between the Buildings_.—Are paved next the Barracks only, and in
wet weather, the part not paved, from the nature of the soil, is in a
miserable condition, and would be very much improved by paving the whole,
leaving a gutter-way in the middle of the court; every shower of rain
would cleanse it, and add very much to the comfort of the prisoners.
_Cook Room_.—Stone floor broken; requires to be relayed and raised.
Weather-boarding, quartering and area gutters require repair. The
dressers are of deal and worn out; recommend they should be made of elm
plank.
_Butchery_.—The floor in bad condition, the sashes decayed, the
weather-boarding and area gutters require repair. The paving of the
cellar under the butchery should be relayed. The effluvia from a
cesspool under the pavement are very offensive in the Stewards’
apartments immediately above it, the floor of which should be plugged to
prevent the smell passing through the open joists of the floor.
_Black Hole_.—The roof breaking through. The fence of the covered walk
is in part decayed and should be new.
_Outside Fence at the End of the Barracks_.—The post rails and paling are
generally decayed, and require considerable repair, and in many parts
must be new.
_Tanks for the purpose of Washing_, _etc._—They are made of wood, and the
greater part decayed.
_Gates and Fence to the Quadrangles_.—Are very much decayed and were
never sufficiently strong and secure for the purpose intended, the gate;
require to be all new, the fence needs considerable repair, and in that
part next the gates, should be entirely new and raised much higher.
_Watch Box_.—Required for the Turnkey at the west gate.
_Pavement within the Quadrangles_.—In indifferent condition, and requires
relaying in many places. A path is paved all round the quadrangles; in
the middle where it is not paved, it is impassable in bad weather, except
through mud. Captain Hanwell is desirous that a path should be paved
across the middle.
_Wells_.—Are in tolerable condition, with the exception of one, the
brick-lining of which within about forty feet of the bottom has fallen
in, and rendered the well useless; the remainder of the brick-work is in
such a dangerous state, that no person will venture down to repair it.
_French Officers’ Apartments in No._ 8.—The floor and staircase in very
bad condition, and the circulation of air too much confined. Might be
remedied by having a lattice instead of a close partition.
_Offices_.—Captain Harwell’s and the other offices in tolerable
condition, require painting and whitewashing; the first clerk’s office
has been papered long since, and it is falling from the wall.
_Storeroom_.—Under the same roof as above, the weather-boarding and
floors require repair, the hammocks and bales of clothing are liable to
injury from being in contact with the inside of the decayed
weather-board. Recommend it should be lined with ¾-inch planed deal, 6
feet above the floor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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