Hawkins Battery is a former coastal artillery battery, built to defend the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport.
| Hawkins Battery | |
|---|---|
 Two 9.2-inch Breech Loading High Angle fire guns were mounted in the battery after 1910. | |
  Hawkins Battery | |
| Coordinates | 50°20′36″N 4°11′43″W / 50.3433°N 4.1954°W, |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Privately owned |
| Open to the public | No |
| Condition | Complete |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1888-1892 |
| Materials | Masonry Concrete |
The battery was originally built between 1888 and 1892 to mount four 9-inch Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) guns on high angle mountings, which were all mounted.[1] These guns could provide high angle, plunging fire onto more lightly armoured decks of enemy warships attempting to enter Plymouth Sound.
The battery is enclosed by concrete walls, with three small caponiers, built like pill boxes to provide enfilading fire along the ditches. The gun positions were served by underground magazines. The battery was built with caretaker's accommodation and crew shelters for the gun detachments who would man the battery in time of war.[2]
The battery was upgraded with newer armament after 1910 when the battery was re-modelled for two 9.2-inch Breech Loading (BL) high angle fire guns. These remained in place until 1922 when they were dismounted. The battery was used for further military purposes during the Second World War, but was sold by the War Office in 1959.[3]
The battery remains complete and is now run as a camping and holiday park.
References edit
- ^ The National Archives WO196/31, Ports and harbours Western District: Revision of Coast defence armaments prior to June 1894
- ^ The National Archives WO78/5068, Plymouth and Falmouth area. Hawkins Battery: plans, sections, etc. 1905-1913
- ^ The National Archives WO192/120, Fort Record Books, Southern Command. Hawkins Battery, 1903-1928
Bibliography edit
- Hogg, Ian V (1974). Coast Defences of England and Wales 1856–1956. David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153 6353-0.
- Woodward, Freddy (1996). The Historic Defences of Plymouth. Cornwall County Council. ISBN 978-1898166467.