A naval officer was stationed at Port Royal, Jamaica, from at least 1675, from which time ships were careened there. In the reign of Queen Anne a hulk was established there to facilitate operations and between 1735 and 1744 two careening wharves, capstan houses, storehouses and accommodation for officers and workmen were built. Thereafter the yard's wharf age and storage capacity were increased; coaling sheds and wharves were added in the mid-nineteenth century and a torpedo-boat slip installed in 1900. The yard was closed in 1905.