Ness Battery And Port War Station
Coastal Battery (Second World War), Observation Post (Second World War)
Site Name Ness Battery And Port War Station
Classification Coastal Battery (Second World War), Observation Post (Second World War)
Alternative Name(s) World War Ii; Stromness Fire Command
Canmore ID 173899
Site Number HY20NW 27.02
NGR HY 24879 07956
NGR Description Centred 24879 07956
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/173899
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Stromness
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
HY20NW 27.02 centred 24879 07956
A two gun-emplacement battery situated at the W end of Stromness Golf course. The battery is set behind a contemporary fence and consists of the gun-emaplacements, Naval Battery observation post (HY 24858 08036), underground magazines and a wodden hutted accommodation camp (HY20NW 27.04). The searchlights are located o the shore line to the W.
Armed with two Mk VII/II 6-inch guns, the battery is recorded in Public Record Office documents (WO/192/273, dated 8 May 1944) and were removed in December 1956.
The battery is visible on RAF vertical air photographs (CPE/Scot/UK185, 2440-2441, 9 October 1946) and on more recent aerial photography (OS 64.54, 033-034, flown 5 June 1964).
Visited by RCAHMS (DE, GS, August 2000)
Standing Building Recording (14 January 2010 - 10 February 2010)
The Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA) was commissioned by the Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership (Heritage Lottery Funded) to undertake archaeological building recording and survey at Ness Battery, Stromness, Orkney (HY 2487 0801; Fig. 1). The site comprises two WWII gun emplacements with wooden accommodation huts and the remains of a WWI gun battery. A programme of desk-based assessment, Level 3 building recording, photographic survey, measured survey and artefact recording has provided a basis for the preparation of a programme of conservation and repair at the site. The main phases of activity were identified, including the original farmhouse, Nessbreck, that formerly occupied part of the site, to the construction of the WWI and WWII coast batteries, the decommissioning of the battery in 1955, continued Ministry of Defence ownership and use of the site by the Territorial Army and the purchase of the site by Orkney Islands Council in 2001.
The majority of the huts were demolished or dismantled after decommissioning, although the central complex was retained. Fortunately, the mess hall that contains painted murals dating to WWII was one of the structures that survived. The continuous use and maintenance of the site into the 1990s ensured that the buildings were kept in good condition, but now there are signs of deterioration and the complex of structures is in need of urgent repair.
The survey has highlighted the need for repair to the guttering and roof valleys as a priority to limit further water damage. Much of the exterior weatherboarding also requires repair or replacement.
Information from Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology (ORCA).
Laser Scanning (8 May 2012 - 11 December 2012)
HY 24866 07926 A laser scan survey of the Ness Battery was carried out 8 May – 11 December 2012. Scans were taken of the interior and exterior of the two 6" gun emplacements, their associated gun crew accommodation and the entrance stairwell, corridor and rooms of their associated magazines.
Archive: RCAHMS
Funder: Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme
Mark Littlewood, ORCA
2012
