CHATHAM, a town of Kent, adjoining to Rochester, and seated on the river Medway. It is the principal station of the royal navy; and the yards and magazines are furnished with all sorts of naval stores, as well as materials for building and rigging the largest men of war. The entrance into the river Medway is defended by Sheerness and other forts; and, in the year 1757, by direction of the duke of Cumberland, several additional fortifications were begun at Chatham; so that now the ships are in no danger of an insult, either by land or water. It has a church; a chapel of ease; and a ship used as a church for the sailors: it has likewise about 500 houses, mostly low, and built with brick; the streets are narrow, and paved; and it contains about 3000 inhabitants. The principal employment of the labouring hands is ship-building in the king's yard, and private docks. E. Long. 0. 40. N. Lat. 51. 20.