Dartmouth, Maritime town in South Hams, England
Dartmouth is a coastal town in South Hams, England, situated where the River Dart meets the English Channel. Narrow streets lined with stone houses climb from the waterfront up the hillsides, while the natural harbor shelters sailing boats and ferries.
In 1190, the fleet of Richard I gathered here before departing for the Crusades to the Holy Land. The town later developed into an important base for training naval officers.
The name comes from the River Dart, which flows into the sea here and has shaped the character of the settlement for centuries. Many houses stand directly on the waterfront or along narrow lanes that slope steeply down to the water.
Passenger ferries run regularly to Kingswear on the opposite bank of the river, linking both sides throughout the day. Water taxis offer additional routes along the river and stop at different landing stages.
Thomas Newcomen was born here in 1663 and later built the first working steam engine, with a model on display at the local museum. The Britannia Royal Naval College stands on a hill above the town and still trains officers for the navy today.
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