CHATHAM, chat'uni (AS. l'ofrbnin, village of huts. from rot, hilt --f- ham. inelosure). A Parliamentary borough, river-port, fortified town, and naval arsenal. in the comity of Eng land, on the estuary of the Sledway. 30 miles east-southeast of London I \lap: England.) 51. It lies a little to the east of Rochester, with which it. is practically united. •hp streets are generally irregular and narrow. but much has been done to improve this since the incorporation of the town in 1800. It sends ono member to Parliament. Its gas and water supply is fur nished by private companies, but the municipal ity has built a pier. established a public park and recreation grounds, constructed a tine IICW hall and municipal ()Hives, and expends a considerable sum on technical education. Chat ham owes its importance to its naval and mili ta•y establishments. situated at Brompton village ton a height half a mile north of called lines or fortifications which inclose these works are the frequent scPllei of field operations, sham tights, and reviews. From a military point of view, the lines of de Inched forts connected W which have superseded for defensive purposes the old const it ute a fortification of great strength. and, together with the strong forts
rected on the Medway. form an excellent pro tection to London (ruin invasion (ruin the south east coast. Chatham is an important military post large infantry. artillery, and engineer barracks. a school of mint:n•y and a large military hospital. _\s a naval base, it is one of the most important in the kingdom. The royal dockyard. which was first established by Queen Elizabeth, embraces an area of about 500 acres and contains building slips and floating in which the largest ships of the navy may be built or repaired. One basin. famous for its size, has a frontage of &MO feet and a Width of 800 feet. .\t times 5000 workmen are employed. In connection with the yard is a metal-mill which supplies it with (.opper plates and bolts. Mel ville llospital is a large establishment for sailors and marines. 'There are also extensive barracks for marines. Population. in 18191. 31,700: in 1001. 10,800. Consult "Chatham," in .1fu»icipa/ Journa/ (London, 1900).