Forth Defences, Inner, Downing Point Battery
Searchlight Battery(S) (First World War) (1914)
Site Name Forth Defences, Inner, Downing Point Battery
Classification Searchlight Battery(S) (First World War) (1914)
Alternative Name(s) Forth Defences, Downing Point, Battery And Camp
Canmore ID 377377
Site Number NT18SE 24.06
NGR NT 15943 82457
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/377377
- Council Fife
- Parish Dalgety
- Former Region Fife
- Former District Dunfermline
- Former County Fife
Field Visit (5 December 2023)
Nothing is now visible of two First World War searchlights that were situated close to the E end of Downing Point (NT15943 82457; NT15965 82460). The more westerly was roughly trapezoidal on plan and measured about 7m from ENE to WSW by 3m transversely, while the more easterly was rectangular on plan and measured about 4.5m from N to S by 3.5m transversely.
Both searchlights are shown on Barclay and Morris’ plan of the battery (Barclay and Morris 2019, 103 fig. 9.32; 105) based upon maps dating from 1915-16, held by the National Archives at Kew (WO 78/5165). The 1916 map (WO 78/4396) also shows the varying trajectories of their beams of light.
Visited by HES Archaeological Survey (A T Welfare), 5 December 2023
