Brean Down Fort
Encyclopedia
Brean Down Fort was built 60 feet (18 m) above sea level on the headland at Brean Down
, 9 miles (14 km) south of Weston-super-Mare
, Somerset
, England.
The site has a long history, because of its prominent position. The earliest recorded settlement is from the Early to Middle Bronze Age
.
The current buildings were construicted in the 1860s as one of the Palmerston Forts
to provide protection to the ports of the Bristol Channel
, and was decommissioned in 1901. During World War II
it was rearmed and used for experimental weapons testing.
The site has been owned by the National Trust
since 2002, following a £431,000 renovation project, as part of its Brean Down property and is open to the public.
The fort was used as a location for filming of the second episode, "Warriors", of the BBC
television drama Bonekickers
.
. It is now on an exposed cliff as the land has been eroded by the sea. Bronze Age artefacts from the site include pottery and jewellery. Most of the finds are now in the Museum of Somerset in Taunton
. The presence of a probable roundhouse has also been detected.
The site has also produced Roman gold and silver coins of the emperors Augustus
, Nero
, Drusus
and Vespasian
and a cornelian ring.
, known as Palmerston Forts
, built across the channel to protect the approaches to Bristol
and Cardiff
. It was fortified following a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
to France
, where they had been concerned at the strength of the French Navy. The Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
, under direction of Lord Palmerston, recommended fortification of the coast. Brean Down Fort formed part of a strategic coastal defence system covering the channel between the mainland and the islands of Steep Holm
and Flat Holm
.
Four acres of land at the end of Brean Down were requisitioned in 1862, with construction beginning in 1864 and completed in 1871.
The fort was originally armed with seven 7 inches (18 cm) rifled muzzle-loading guns, which were among the last of this type to be made at the Woolwich Gun Foundry
. These sited at three main gun positions, including W battery containing two guns on 'C' pivots (rotating around a reused Georgian cannon set upright in the ground). Each gun weighed 7 tons and had a 30 pounds (14 kg) charge of gunpowder able to fire a 112 pounds (51 kg) Palliser shot at 1560 feet (475 m) per second. This could pierce 8 inches (20 cm) of armour at 1000 yards (914.4 m). It was proposed to replace the 7 inches (18 cm) guns with larger 9 inches (23 cm) versions in 1888 but this was never put into action. It had a large, underground, main gunpowder magazine, 15 feet (4.5 m) by 18 feet (5.5 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m) high. The fort was staffed by 50 officers and men of the Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery
, but no shots were ever fired in action.
The end of the fort's active service came at 5 am on July 6, 1900 when Gunner Haines fired a ball cartridge down a ventilator shaft into the No. 3 magazine which held 3 tons (3 tonnes) of gunpowder, causing the magazine to explode. The wall separating the fort from the moat on the south west corner was demolished and wreckage thrown up to 200 yards (183 m). No one knew why the gunner had blown up the fort, but it has been speculated that it was an act of suicide. The cannons were hauled away by traction engine
s.
It was then used as a café, owned by the Hillman family from at least 1907 until sold in 1936 to the 'bird sanctuary people'.
the fort was rearmed with two 6 inches (15 cm)
ex-naval guns and two searchlight batteries. The site was also used as a test launch site for rockets and experimental weapons.
Two gun positions were built to mount the ex-naval guns in their turrets. These were later protected with a "plastic" anti-aircraft roof. One position was built over the ruins of the old west battery and the other partly obscures the north west battery. The barrack blocks were converted and the windows partly blocked to reduce the effects of blast. Several other associated structures, including searchlight
batteries for illuminating seaborne targets, a command post and the barracks for the garrison were built outside the original Palmeston fort.
The site was manned by 365 and 366 Coast Batteries RA of 571 Coast Regiment in 1942.
Several experimental weapons were trialled at Brean, by the Admiralty
's Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development
, based at HMS Birnbeck. The only evidence being a short length of launching rail.
Some of the better known weapons trialled were the seaborne Bouncing bomb
designed specifically to bounce to a target such as across water to avoid torpedo nets, Anti-submarine missile
AMUCK and the expendable acoustic emitter (designed to confuse noise seeking torpedoes).
Brean Down
Brean Down is a promontory off the coast of Somerset standing high and extending into the Bristol Channel at the eastern end of Bridgwater Bay between Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea....
, 9 miles (14 km) south of Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England.
The site has a long history, because of its prominent position. The earliest recorded settlement is from the Early to Middle Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
.
The current buildings were construicted in the 1860s as one of the Palmerston Forts
Palmerston Forts
The Palmerston Forts are a group of forts and associated structures, around the coast of Britain.The forts were built during the Victorian period on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, following concerns about the strength of the French Navy, and...
to provide protection to the ports of the Bristol Channel
Bristol Channel
The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean...
, and was decommissioned in 1901. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
it was rearmed and used for experimental weapons testing.
The site has been owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
since 2002, following a £431,000 renovation project, as part of its Brean Down property and is open to the public.
The fort was used as a location for filming of the second episode, "Warriors", of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television drama Bonekickers
Bonekickers
Bonekickers was a BBC drama about a team of archaeologists, set at the fictional Wessex University. It debuted on 8 July 2008 and ran for one series....
.
Bronze Age to Roman
The earliest record settlement is from the Early to Middle Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. It is now on an exposed cliff as the land has been eroded by the sea. Bronze Age artefacts from the site include pottery and jewellery. Most of the finds are now in the Museum of Somerset in Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
. The presence of a probable roundhouse has also been detected.
The site has also produced Roman gold and silver coins of the emperors Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
, Nero
Nero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
, Drusus
Nero Claudius Drusus
Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus , born Decimus Claudius Drusus also called Drusus, Drusus I, Nero Drusus, or Drusus the Elder was a Roman politician and military commander. He was a fully patrician Claudian on his father's side but his maternal grandmother was from a plebeian family...
and Vespasian
Vespasian
Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
and a cornelian ring.
Palmerston Fort
Brean Down Fort forms part of a line of defencesPalmerston Forts, Bristol Channel
The Palmerston Forts along the Bristol Channel include:*Brean Down Fort, Weston-super-Mare*Flat Holm Battery, Flat Holm*Lavernock Battery, Penarth*Nell's Point Battery, Barry Island*Steep Holm Battery, Steep Holm...
, known as Palmerston Forts
Palmerston Forts
The Palmerston Forts are a group of forts and associated structures, around the coast of Britain.The forts were built during the Victorian period on the recommendations of the 1860 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, following concerns about the strength of the French Navy, and...
, built across the channel to protect the approaches to Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
. It was fortified following a visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Prince Albert
Prince Albert was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria.Prince Albert may also refer to:-Royalty:*Prince Albert Edward or Edward VII of the United Kingdom , son of Albert and Victoria...
to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where they had been concerned at the strength of the French Navy. The Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom
In 1859 Lord Palmerston instigated the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom because of serious concerns that France might attempt to invade the UK...
, under direction of Lord Palmerston, recommended fortification of the coast. Brean Down Fort formed part of a strategic coastal defence system covering the channel between the mainland and the islands of Steep Holm
Steep Holm
Steep Holm is an English island lying in the Bristol Channel. The island covers at high tide, expanding to at mean low water. At its highest point it is above mean sea level. It lies within the historic boundaries of Somerset and administratively, it forms part of North Somerset...
and Flat Holm
Flat Holm
Flat Holm is a limestone island lying in the Bristol Channel approximately from Lavernock Point in the Vale of Glamorgan, but in the City and County of Cardiff. It includes the most southerly point of Wales....
.
Four acres of land at the end of Brean Down were requisitioned in 1862, with construction beginning in 1864 and completed in 1871.
The fort was originally armed with seven 7 inches (18 cm) rifled muzzle-loading guns, which were among the last of this type to be made at the Woolwich Gun Foundry
Royal Arsenal
The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, originally known as the Woolwich Warren, carried out armaments manufacture, ammunition proofing and explosives research for the British armed forces. It was sited on the south bank of the River Thames in Woolwich in south-east London, England.-Early history:The Warren...
. These sited at three main gun positions, including W battery containing two guns on 'C' pivots (rotating around a reused Georgian cannon set upright in the ground). Each gun weighed 7 tons and had a 30 pounds (14 kg) charge of gunpowder able to fire a 112 pounds (51 kg) Palliser shot at 1560 feet (475 m) per second. This could pierce 8 inches (20 cm) of armour at 1000 yards (914.4 m). It was proposed to replace the 7 inches (18 cm) guns with larger 9 inches (23 cm) versions in 1888 but this was never put into action. It had a large, underground, main gunpowder magazine, 15 feet (4.5 m) by 18 feet (5.5 m) by 20 feet (6.1 m) high. The fort was staffed by 50 officers and men of the Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, but no shots were ever fired in action.
The end of the fort's active service came at 5 am on July 6, 1900 when Gunner Haines fired a ball cartridge down a ventilator shaft into the No. 3 magazine which held 3 tons (3 tonnes) of gunpowder, causing the magazine to explode. The wall separating the fort from the moat on the south west corner was demolished and wreckage thrown up to 200 yards (183 m). No one knew why the gunner had blown up the fort, but it has been speculated that it was an act of suicide. The cannons were hauled away by traction engine
Traction engine
A traction engine is a self-propelled steam engine used to move heavy loads on roads, plough ground or to provide power at a chosen location. The name derives from the Latin tractus, meaning 'drawn', since the prime function of any traction engine is to draw a load behind it...
s.
It was then used as a café, owned by the Hillman family from at least 1907 until sold in 1936 to the 'bird sanctuary people'.
World War II
On the outbreak of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the fort was rearmed with two 6 inches (15 cm)
BL 6 inch Mk VII naval gun
The BL 6 inch Gun Mark VII was a British naval gun dating from 1899, which was mounted on a heavy traveling carriage in 1915 for British Army service to become one of the main heavy field guns in the First World War, and also served as one of the main coast defence guns throughout the British...
ex-naval guns and two searchlight batteries. The site was also used as a test launch site for rockets and experimental weapons.
Two gun positions were built to mount the ex-naval guns in their turrets. These were later protected with a "plastic" anti-aircraft roof. One position was built over the ruins of the old west battery and the other partly obscures the north west battery. The barrack blocks were converted and the windows partly blocked to reduce the effects of blast. Several other associated structures, including searchlight
Searchlight
A searchlight is an apparatus that combines a bright light source with some form of curved reflector or other optics to project a powerful beam of light of approximately parallel rays in a particular direction, usually constructed so that it can be swiveled about.-Military use:The Royal Navy used...
batteries for illuminating seaborne targets, a command post and the barracks for the garrison were built outside the original Palmeston fort.
The site was manned by 365 and 366 Coast Batteries RA of 571 Coast Regiment in 1942.
Several experimental weapons were trialled at Brean, by the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
's Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development
Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development
The Directorate of Miscellaneous Weapons Development , known colloquially as the Wheezers and Dodgers, was a department of the Admiralty responsible for the development of various unconventional weapons during World War II...
, based at HMS Birnbeck. The only evidence being a short length of launching rail.
Some of the better known weapons trialled were the seaborne Bouncing bomb
Bouncing bomb
A bouncing bomb is a bomb designed specifically to bounce to a target across water in a calculated manner, in order to avoid obstacles such as torpedo nets, and to allow both the bomb's speed on arrival at the target and the timing of its detonation to be pre-determined...
designed specifically to bounce to a target such as across water to avoid torpedo nets, Anti-submarine missile
Anti-submarine missile
An anti-submarine missile is a standoff weapon including a rocket designed to rapidly deliver an explosive warhead or homing torpedo from the launch platform to the vicinity of a submarine.-History:...
AMUCK and the expendable acoustic emitter (designed to confuse noise seeking torpedoes).
Further reading
- Brown, Donald (1999). Somerset V Hitler: Secret Operations in the Mendips 1939–1945. Newbury: Countryside Books. ISBN 1-85306-590-0.