Lavernock Battery: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | '''Lavernock Battery''' was built at [[Lavernock Point]], [[Wales]] on the recommendations of the [[Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom|1860 Royal Commission]] during the late 1860s to protect the ports of the [[Severn Estuary]]. It was replaced by a new anti-aircraft battery during [[World War II]] that was equipped with four heavy [[anti-aircraft gun]]s. |
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==History== |
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It was the most northerly of a chain of defences across the [[Palmerston Forts, Bristol Channel|Bristol Channel]], protecting the access to [[Bristol]] and [[Cardiff]]. Completed in 1870, with three 7" [[Rifled muzzle loader|muzzle-loading]] cannons to protect the channel approaches to Cardiff and Bristol shipyards. |
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The [[Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston|Palmerston]] government initiated a large [[Palmerston forts|system of coastal fortifications]] and Lavernock Battery was the most northerly of a chain of defences across the [[Palmerston Forts, Bristol Channel|Bristol Channel]], protecting the access to [[Bristol]] and [[Cardiff]]. Completed in 1870, the [[battery (artillery)|battery]] was initially armed with three [[Rifled muzzle loader|rifled muzzle-loading (RML)]] [[RML 7 inch gun|{{convert|7|in|adj=on|spell=in}} Mk III guns]] on [[Disappearing gun|disappearing carriages]]. An 1895 inventory reported a fourth seven-inch gun. By 1903 all four guns had been replaced by two [[breech-loading weapon|breech-loading]] [[BL 6-inch Mk VII naval gun|six-inch (152 mm) Mk VII guns]].<ref name="vic">{{cite web|url=http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/pdf/datasheets/lavernock.pdf|website=Victorian Forts|publisher=Victorian Forts and Artillery|accessdate=29 April 2016|format=pdf|title=Lavernock Point Battery}}</ref> |
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The World War II gun emplacements formed part of the ''Fixed Defences, Severn Scheme'' and protected the Atlantic shipping [[Battle of the Atlantic|convoy]] de-grouping zone between Cardiff, Barry and [[Flat Holm]].<ref>[http://www.coflein.gov.uk/pls/portal/coflein.w_details?inumlink=6081138 Atlantic convoy regrouping area]</ref> |
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On 13 May 1897, [[Guglielmo Marconi]] sent the world's first ever wireless communication over open sea. The experiment transmitted a message over the [[Bristol Channel]] from [[Flat Holm]] Island to Lavernock Point in Penarth, a distance of {{convert|6|km|mi}}. The message read "Are you ready". The transmitting equipment was almost immediately relocated to [[Brean Down Fort]] on the [[Somerset]] coast, stretching the range to {{convert|16|km|mi}}.<ref>BBC Wales, {{Wayback|date=20070120163444 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/historyhunters/locations/pages/3_1_flatholm.shtml |title=Marconi's Waves}}</ref> |
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Today the site is largely gone, with what remains being included in a holiday caravan and chalet park. The remaining main section of the gun battery has been listed as an [[Ancient monument|Ancient Monument]], which includes the gun emplacements, director-rangefinder observation position, crew and officers quarters. The structure is still commemorated through Lavernock Point's main access road being named 'Fort Road'. |
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==Description== |
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The battery was triangular shaped with four gun emplacements, a protective ditch, barracks, a laboratory, and a [[magazine (artillery)|magazine]]. Most of the battery has been demolished and the ditch filled in; a swimming pool has been built over one of the magazines. What remains is included in a holiday caravan and chalet park.<ref name=vic/> |
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The World War II-era battery covers an area about {{convert|80|by|55|m|yd}} and also had four gun emplacements, each of which had some storage for ready-use ammunition. A larger magazine was positioned between two of the gun pits. All of the guns were controlled by a central director-rangefinder observation position. This battery is in good shape and has been listed as an [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Coflein|url=http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/300443/details/LAVERNOCK+POINT+FORTIFIED+BATTERY/|website=www.coflein.gov.uk|publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales|accessdate=29 April 2016}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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== Further reading == |
== Further reading == |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.theworldatwar.info/lavernockbattery.html Lavernock Battery, Penarth] |
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*[http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk Palmerston Forts Society] |
*[http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk Palmerston Forts Society] |
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*[http://www.victorianforts.co.uk/pdf/datasheets/lavernock.pdf Victorian Forts data sheet] |
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[[Category:Palmerston Forts]] |
[[Category:Palmerston Forts]] |
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[[Category:Batteries]] |
[[Category:Batteries]] |
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{{fort-stub}} |
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{{Wales-struct-stub}} |
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Revision as of 18:24, 29 April 2016
Lavernock Battery was built at Lavernock Point, Wales on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission during the late 1860s to protect the ports of the Severn Estuary. It was replaced by a new anti-aircraft battery during World War II that was equipped with four heavy anti-aircraft guns.
History
The Palmerston government initiated a large system of coastal fortifications and Lavernock Battery was the most northerly of a chain of defences across the Bristol Channel, protecting the access to Bristol and Cardiff. Completed in 1870, the battery was initially armed with three rifled muzzle-loading (RML) seven-inch (180 mm) Mk III guns on disappearing carriages. An 1895 inventory reported a fourth seven-inch gun. By 1903 all four guns had been replaced by two breech-loading six-inch (152 mm) Mk VII guns.[1]
The World War II gun emplacements formed part of the Fixed Defences, Severn Scheme and protected the Atlantic shipping convoy de-grouping zone between Cardiff, Barry and Flat Holm.[2]
On 13 May 1897, Guglielmo Marconi sent the world's first ever wireless communication over open sea. The experiment transmitted a message over the Bristol Channel from Flat Holm Island to Lavernock Point in Penarth, a distance of 6 kilometres (3.7 mi). The message read "Are you ready". The transmitting equipment was almost immediately relocated to Brean Down Fort on the Somerset coast, stretching the range to 16 kilometres (9.9 mi).[3]
Description
The battery was triangular shaped with four gun emplacements, a protective ditch, barracks, a laboratory, and a magazine. Most of the battery has been demolished and the ditch filled in; a swimming pool has been built over one of the magazines. What remains is included in a holiday caravan and chalet park.[1]
The World War II-era battery covers an area about 80 by 55 metres (87 by 60 yd) and also had four gun emplacements, each of which had some storage for ready-use ammunition. A larger magazine was positioned between two of the gun pits. All of the guns were controlled by a central director-rangefinder observation position. This battery is in good shape and has been listed as an Scheduled Ancient Monument.[4]
References
- ^ a b "Lavernock Point Battery" (pdf). Victorian Forts. Victorian Forts and Artillery. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- ^ Atlantic convoy regrouping area
- ^ BBC Wales, Template:Wayback
- ^ "Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
Further reading
- Saunders, A.; Spurgeon, C.J.; Thomas, H.J.; Roberts, D.J. (2001). Guns Across The Severn: The Victorian Fortifications of Glamorgan. Aberystwyth: Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. pp. 35–38. ISBN 1-871184-25-8.