Monument record MWX435 - 19th century to modern Blacknor Battery, Portland

Coast defence battery, built in the 1870s. 6 BL guns installed in the 1890s. Remained in use until World War Two. The battery is visible as a structure on aerial photographs of 1946.

Battery sited from OS 1:2500 1975) Originally intended as the battery defending the western end of a ditch extending west-east across the island to Durdle Point, Blacknor was intended to cover the West Bay area preventing bombardment of Verne Fort and the Harbour from the sea. Durdle Battery was not built, but Blacknor was, and was provided with 9 RML guns in the 1870s, and was rearmed with 6 BL in the 1890s. It remained in commission until WWII. <1> Aerial photograph of the battery. <2>

Blacknor Battery is visible as a structure on aerial photographs of 1946 and 1948 <10-11>. The site consists of two gun emplacements and an area of buildings, some of which may be associated with the rocket test facility also located in this area (see linked record). The battery covers an area measuring approximately 105 m by 82 m. This site was digitally plotted during the South West Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Dorset).

Coastal Fort. Rebuilt to protect the waters off West Bay in 1901 (incised date). A two gun battery initially of 9.2in RML guns replaced by 6in BL guns. Battery Observation Post (SY 6785 7151). Manned during WWII. Now in private hands. Blacknor Fort was also known as St. George's Fort. No.1 Gun coastal battery. Main battery building (19th century) remains in good condition. Two gun emplacements are visible and in good condition. Base for CASL remains. [information from 1968 aerial photographs]. <3-5>

Blacknor Battery located at SY 679 716. The battery was constructed from 1900 and opened in 1902 armed with two 6-inch breech-loading (BL) Mk. VII guns for close defence. The 6-inch guns were removed between 1908-1909 and replaced by two 9.2-inch BL Mk. X guns. These were in use during the First World War and up until 1944, when they had been performing a long-range night role. During the Second World War it was manned by 103 Battery of 522 Coast Regiment. By 1954 the battery was disarmed and used for storage. No. 1 gun was located at SY 6795 7155 and No. 2 gun at SY 6790 7150. The battery observation post was at SY 6785 7145. <7-8>

The main battery building (originally 19th century) remains in good condition. Two emplacements are also visible and in good condition. Base for the coast artillery searchlights remains. <9>

<1> Hogg, I V, 1974, Coastal Defences of England and Wales, p229-230 (Monograph). SWX2166.

<2> Hudson, K, 1984, Industrial History from the Air, p13, Plate 9 (Monograph). SWX2152.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0011256 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<4> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0011256 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<5> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0011256 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<6> Royal Air Force, 13-APR-1946, RAF 106G/UK/1411 4043-4 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13039.

<7> Dobinson, C S, 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.1. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956, 176-181 (Monograph). SDO17228.

<8> Dobinson, C S, 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast artillery, 1900-1956, 271 (Monograph). SDO17229.

<9> Anderton, M J, 2000, Twentieth century military recording project: World War Two Coastal Batteries, 68 (Unpublished document). SDO17230.

<10> Royal Air Force, 07-MAY-1948, SY 6871/3 RAF 30099/0132 (Aerial Photograph). SDO13040.

<11> National Record of the Historic Environment, 868633 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2024 4:38PM