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External Reference
Date 2003
Event ID 935306
Category Documentary Reference
Type External Reference
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/935306
Torry Point Battery was built to defend the city (NJ90NW 201) and harbour (NJ90NE 7.00) of Aberdeen, replacing a number of older structures. These included a blockhouse (NJ90NE 19) of the 1490's, which was rebuilt on several occasions, and a new battery (NJ90NE 211) which was built on the beach in the 1780's. This latter structure soon fell into disrepair, and was the subject of prolonged negotiations between the City Council and the Board of Ordnance between 1806 and 1860.
In 1858 agreement was reached to build coastal batteries on the beach (NJ90NE 90) and on Torry Point, in part against the background of the perceived threat of Napoleon III of France. Construction of the Torry Point Battery began in 1859 and was completed in March 1861. It was to be manned by a unit of the new volunteer defence forces, the 1st Aberdeenshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) being formed for the purpose on 24 October 1860. The battery was initially armed with nine heavy guns (six 68-pounders and three 10-inch shell guns) but in September 1861 two 200-pound Armstrong guns (the heaviest of the day) were added. Drill formally began the same month.
In 1895 the battery was partially dismantled, the guns and mountings being returned to store in Leith. The battery remained in use for volunteer training until 1904 when it was reconstructed, two new 6-inch mark VII guns on CP mark II mountings being installed. This work took two years, at a cost of £5640. The battery was permanently occupied during both world wars, and retained its guns throughout the interwar period, when it was also used as temporary accommodation during periods of housing shortage.
During the Second World War, the battery was manned by army and Home Guard personnel of various units. The guns were given concrete overhead protection against air attack, while anti-aircraft gins and searchlights were also installed, while a combined military and naval plotting room was constructed in 1943. The heavy guns were used just once, against two vessels later found to be friendly, on the night of 3 June 1941, while the machine guns of the battery engaged an enemy aircraft later in the same year.
Between 1945 and 1953, the battery was again used as temporary accommodation. The guns were removed in 1956 and the battery fell into disrepair. Demolition was proposed, as was conversion into a hotel, but neither scheme was implemented. Comprehensive renovation works were carried out in the early 1970's, a car park being laid out and the retaining walls reinstated. The battery and surrounding area are of considerable ornithological interest.
(Numerous illustrations, including site plan and location plan, showing location of predecessor fortifications).
[Aberdeen City Council 2003].
