World War One Audit of Surviving Remains

Date 31 May 2013

Event ID 961162

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type World War One Audit of Surviving Remains

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/961162

World War One Audit of Surviving Remains

Luce Bay military airship station was established in 1915 as part of a network of airship stations to patrol the North Channel and the Irish Sea for enemy submarines – an increasing threat as the war went on. In the 1918 RAF survey of air stations Luce Bay was described as ‘Non-rigid Airship Patrol Station (NW Area, No. 25 Operation Group”, and the “parent” station of sub-stations at Ramsay (Isle of Man), Machrahanish, Larne (Co Antrim) and Ballyliffon (Doagh Island, Northern Ireland).

The aerodrome occupied an area of about 180 hectares, measuring a maximum of 2075m by 1400m. The station’s buildings were concentrated along the western boundary of the aerodrome, apart from the enormous airship shed and its ancillary plant (such as the gas plant and a 283 cubic metre storage tank). The establishment of the station (250 personnel, of whom 37 were women) was accommodated on site.

The airship shed, measuring 92m by 21m by 15m high, was almost completed by June 1915, at a cost of £8900 (£865,000 at 2013 prices); the wind-breaks at both ends cost a further £4200 (£408,000).

A maximum of four airships was based at Luce Bay. In 1918 fixed-wing aircraft were added to the patrol strength at Luce Bay. Three Bessonneau canvas hangars were erected to the north of the accommodation site, but also on the western boundary of the station.

The station closed soon after the war and the airship shed was sold off and dismantled. The area of the airship station was incorporated into the Second World War West Freugh aerodrome.

Information HS/RCAHMS World War One Audit Project (GJB) 31 May 2013