Heugh Battery
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- History
Heugh Battery was one of three erected in 1860 to protect the fast-growing port of Hartlepool. Heugh and Lighthouse Battery were placed close by the lighthouse and armed with four and two 68pr smoothbore guns respectively. The third battery, Fairy Cove mounted three of the same weapons and was slightly further to the north at the end of the town moor.
The original battery was modified for three 64pr Rifled Muzzle Loading guns in the 1880s and then fell out of use with the introduction of breech loaders on hydropneumatic mounts in 1893. The lighthouse battery was reconstructed for one of these guns, a 6-inch Mk VI and a further two were placed in Cemetery Battery north of the town.
Plaque commemorating the events of 16 December 1914. © Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
In 1900 Heugh was completely reworked for two 6-inch Mk VII guns using the standard configuration of two emplacements with underground magazine between. The defences were further modified in 1907 when the Lighthouse gun was replaced with a 6inch Mk VII and the Cemetery Battery closed. Manned by the Territorial Force gunners of the Durham Royal Garrison Artillery, these were the three guns that were to see action in the Bombardment of Hartlepool on 16 December 1914. During the bombardment (at 08:10), the leading German battle cruiser fired a shell which struck aground less than 100 metres from the battery. This marked the first death in action of a soldier on British soil in World War I. A plaque commemorating the event is found on the coastal walkway just outside the battery.
In 1936 the No 1 gun was removed and the Lighthouse Battery integrated into Heugh Battery so that the Lighthouse gun became Heugh No 1. A Barr and Stroud rangefinder was also introduced.
In 1939 the Territorial Army was mobilised and the battery was manned by men of the Durham Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. During the early part of the Second World War new rangefinding and fire control equipment was introduced, paving the way to conversion to the Coast Defence / Anti Aircraft role in 1942. The Lighthouse and remaining Heugh emplacement were reworked for turret mounted 6inch Mk 24 guns and an emplacement for a third (No 3) was built a hundred yards to the north though it seems unlikely that a gun was ever mounted here.
Present-day view inside the battery compound
Heugh Battery was mothballed in 1944 to be reopened in 1947 and shortly after QF 3.7 inch AA guns were introduced. The battery closed in 1956 with the closing of coast defence. The battery is now in the care of the Heugh Gun Battery Trust and is home to a museum and artillery collection.
In the 2020s the battery was found to be need in of restoration with Historic England donating £40,000 to play for a comprehensive survey of the structure
Scott Buckley Discovery www.scottbuckley.com.au/library
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Fantastic place ✌️
It really is Robo, thanks again for watching 👍🙏
Wonderful presentation of this cool fortress. Awesome smooth drone shots and great narration. Love Scott's music in the background. Very nice video, Steve. 🤘👌
Morning HDI4EVA, I apologise for being late in replying to your comments, once again I can't thank you enough for taking the time to watch and comment it's always appreciated 👍👍.
Oh, how cool is that love ❤The guns are still there, and on show marvellous video, Steve, have a great week, buddy' 👏👏🎥👍
Cheers Jim always appreciated, thanks for watching 👍.
Very, very interesting 😮
Thank you Micovamaria it's really nice of you to comment 👍👍👍🙏
Awesome history there mate 👍
Hi Mavic, ive been wanting to do this one for a while, so grabbed it while the weather was on our side.👍👍.
Fantastic to see musea like this. It keeps history alive.
Hi Dronebiker it's fascinating to see the place from inside.👍👍🙏
Sorry Steve I missed this one, great narration and information mate! Your drone footage and flight is immaculate as always ! Brilliant mate, big like as usual! Keep them coming , well done mate 👏👍👌
No worries Jason it's always appreciated, on board now so nothing for awhile take care have a great week 👍👍
A well put together video Steve, with a comprehensive narration to accompany. I filmed up there the same day I filmed Trincomalee and Wingfield Castle. The editing is part complete, as I couldn’t decide whether or not to narrate it. It’s lovely up the headland and you’ve covered its history well with superb aerial views. 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Morning Andy we are like ships in the night 😁, I did the Heugh some years ago with Air 2 and wanted to give it another go, as for you doing your next video with Narration why not as you said to me it keeps your attention on the video, you must have been up early to watch this one, thanks again Andy 👍👍😎