Construction
1889
Construction started in
the late 19th Century, the original planned armament being
two 13.5" and two 6" guns.
1892
6" Guns mounted
1894
13.5" Guns mounted
1896 Unclimable fence
built around battery to protect it against assault
|
The 13.5 inch guns
were the largest weapons defending Plymouth each weighing 67 Tons. Beneath
the battery on Penlee point's western shore a set of landing steps had
to be constructed to to land the guns. To serve the guns position finding
stations where built at to the West and East at Middle Barton and Folly
Tower. |
Expansion
1903
Extra 6" gun emplaced and
two 9.2" guns mounted
1910
9.2" Gun replaced original
13.2" gun
1911
Additional supplementary
buildings added.
|
The guns needed a
whole range of buildings to support them. Magazines, married quarters,
stores, barracks and workshops All have now disappeared. |
Modernisation
1932
Searchlights, observation
posts and a commanded post built to serve the battery.
1936
9.2" guns refitted with
modern mountings |
With the modern mountings
the three 9.2" guns had a range of 32000 yards which is about Sixteen miles.
The Royal Artillery manned the guns during the second world war when they
formed a major part of Plymouths defences. |
Destruction
1956 Guns removed
1970s Buildings demolished
and emplacements filled in. |
The use of the battery
as a nature reserve with public access is welcome . But leaving more of
the remains visible may have added to the interest of this site. |
TeamManley