The Admiralty
The distinguished Admiralty sits squarely across from Castle Whiteport, its long piers stretching out into the channel. The rectangular building itself stands five stories tall, the lower two floors and support pillars and austere columns, comprised of the same solid white stone quarried along the bay, while the upper floors are constructed of red brick, rising into a few stout towers crowned with oxidized brass domes, which may have shone once but after years of sea spray have turned green. Flying proudly from a number of pennants above these towers are the ensigns of the Kingdom of Kethenicaea, Duchy of Whiteport, Whiteport Navy, and finally a number of naval pennants and signal flags.
The entrance to the building is kept under guard by a small squadron of armored guards clad in light mail and conical helmets with ornamental nautically-themed faceplates, who seem to patrol the grounds in a highly rigid course with very formalized routines. Bureaucrats in tight fitting petticoats and petty officers bustle about the cobblestone square in front of the building and puff up and down the steps the building's entry, while the occasional carriage stops and high class (and somewhat stuffy looking) officers and agents come and go, while carts laden with supplies frequently come and go after being carefully inspected and cataloged by agents of the admiralty. Some lower ranking seamen continuously pass through on the way to and from their billets, but most are engaged with official business or else work to find their way to those sections of the city offering more accommodation.
Most notably, rising behind the already imposing architecture of the admiralty lies Whiteport's formidable fleet itself. The tall-masted warships are Whiteport's crowning achievement, as many sit at anchor at the admiralty, manned loosely by crews which keep them battle ready. Large deck-mounted ballista sit wrapped in weatherproofing, and while most of the sails are furled, the pennants still flutter proudly high above the ships, while the ornate nautical carvings on the ships hull, especially the colorfully painted figureheads and sturdy forecastles, announce their fierce intent. Similarly moored are the smaller ships of Whiteport's navy not currently on patrol including small support ships and skiffs, as well as larger sloops and corvettes.
Purpose / Function
The admiralty serves as the nerve center of Whiteport's navy. The lower floors of the admiralty are occupied by a number of offices and storerooms, and are constantly in use even late into the night as lower-ranking bureaucrats handle the extensive paperwork and logistics needed to supply the navy. The lower floors also host recruitment offices as well as a large reception hall, mostly empty, alongside a smaller hall for petitioners. Couriers constantly bustle about the building, and the hallways are constantly patrolled by both on and off duty officers and sailors who business brings them to the building, while upperfloors host the offices (and often living quarters) for higher ranking officers and naval administrators, visitors rising through the ranking officers as they rise through the building. Finally, from the top of the building, the admiralty also serves as a signal post,
While the admiralty building itself hosts the nexus of Whiteport's naval leadership, the Admiralty itself is actually a refers to the larger campus beyond the main Admiralty building which includes all the affiliated buildings which are essential for the admiralty's day-to-day operations. These include barracks for the local Marine detachment, extensive supply warehouses, the admiralty's private port, shipyard, and drydock, mustering grounds, and quarters for crews in port of duty.
Alterations
The Admiralty has grown significantly since its original construction, and four buildings have sat on the Admiralty's current grounds. While whiteport has long been a formidable naval power, it lacked a formal navy for much of its history. Following a number of pirate raids in the late 11th century AC, Whiteport founded its first formal navy, and as the navy grew into its present day dominant state, the admiralty grounded similarly expanded. The building itself is new, having been constructed after the destruction of the last during the Terror, while the outlying Marine barrack was previously the newest structure.
Architecture
The admiralty building, much like the organization it houses, is a stiff, formal, but impressive building. The lines of the building are crisp and clean, the white stone which accents the building and forms the baroque looking building. Its rooftop features a number of copper-enameled domes, but these have oxidized with the sea air and greened, an despite its age, the building maintains a distinguished aura. This is complemented by the immaculately kept grounds, which are kept well-groomed and clear of refuse or debris.
The building itself, while solid, doesn't feel confining and generally (during the day) is actually fairly light and airy compared to similarly sized stone buildings. Many of the windows on upper floors are kept open to allow the sea breeze through the building, and on the fourth and fifth floor many offices have balconies and some hallways are actually open to the air and offer views of the admiralty's port facilities.
History
Whiteport's admiralty was constructed a little less than half a millennia ago, and has become an integral part of Whiteport's economic, cultural, and maritime influence. Many of Whiteport's senior nobility have family ties to high ranking members of the admiralty, and the admiralty is certainly seen as the "senior service" in the city.
Founding Date
1096
Type
Seaport
Parent Location
Owner
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
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