Monument record MWX1365 - 19th century to modern East Weare Batteries, east of Naval cemetery, Portland

East Weare Batteries was constructed around 1870. It was used during the Second World War, when it formed part of the Dorset Coast and Isle of Portland defences. It is visible as a structure on aerial photographs of 1946 and 2008.

SY 694740. Battery 200yds W of Naval Cemetery. <2>

A small 3 gun battery with magazine to the rear, built of fine ashlar under substantial 'bomb proof' earthworks. It formed part of the harbour defences and was subordinate to the Verne Citadel (SY 67 SE 44) to which it is contemporary or perhaps slightly earlier. (Verne Citadel built circa 1847-81). <3>

East Weare Batteries was constructed circa 1870. It was used during the Second World War, when it formed part of the Dorset Coast and Isle of Portland defences. The coast artillery battery is visible as a structure on aerial photographs of 1946 and 2008. The site consists of three gun emplacements, a central magazine, ancillary buildings and surrounding earthern banks. The site is visible over an area measuring 90 m by 50 m. <7-8> This site was digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 scale, 1973 (Map). SWX1197.

(SY 69447405) East Weare Batteries (disused) (NAT)

<2> Department of the Environment, 1978, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monuments of England (Vol 2), 82 (Monograph). SWX1687.

<3> Department of the Environment, 1972, Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monument Record Form: East Weare Battery (Unpublished document). SWX2141.

<4> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0013736 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<5> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0013736 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<6> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0013736 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<7> Royal Air Force, 04-NOV-1946, RAF/CPE/UK/1824 3229-30 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13055.

<8> Channel Coastal Observatory, 20-JUL-2008, CCO Aerial Photographic Coverage 2008 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12674.

<9> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451839 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Oct 31 2023 10:27AM