World War One Audit of Surviving Remains
Date 16 August 2013
Event ID 963324
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type World War One Audit of Surviving Remains
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/963324
The island of Inchmickery was fortified in 1915 as part of the Middle line of defence of the Forth, and specifically to cover the anti-submarine boom that ran from Burntisland Sands to Cramond Island. The guns of Inchcolm and Inchmickery were first manned on 16 March 1915, when a detachment of 72 NCOs and men landed on the two islands from Leith Royal Garrison Artillery. Inchmickery was originally intended to have four 12-pdr guns and two searchlights. A plan of 1916 exists (The National Archives WO 78/5163) for four searchlights, but it is not known if these were built.
When the defences of the Forth were restructured in 1916 the 12-pdrs on Inchmickery were replaced by four 4-inch Mk III guns transferred from the island of Inchgarvie, below the Forth Rail Bridge. (The National Archives WO 192/108 [Inchcolm Fort Record Book]). They were ready for action between November 1916 and January 1917.
The emplacements for the four guns were not re-used in the Second World War. Two emplacements for twin 6-pdr guns were planned from at least 1938 (The National Archives WO 78/5163).
Information from HS/RCAHMS World War One Audit Project (GJB) 16 August 2013.
