Ness Battery, No. 2 Battery
Coastal Battery (First World War)
Site Name Ness Battery, No. 2 Battery
Classification Coastal Battery (First World War)
Alternative Name(s) Stromness; World War I
Canmore ID 268457
Site Number HY20NW 27.03
NGR HY 24866 07926
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/268457
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Stromness
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
The final decision to make Scapa Flow the main base for the Grand Fleet in the event of war (over the Invergordon dockyard in the Firth of Cromarty) was made only on the eve of war. As a consequence, in August 1914, the anchorage was undefended. It was only in mid-1915 that the anchorage was secured by guns, anti-submarine booms and blockships. In the end there were 13 batteries around the approaches to Scapa Flow.
The three Ness batteries, near Stromness, protected the NW entrance to Scapa Flow, Hoy Sound. The strong currents in Hoy Sound prevented the deployment of anti-submarine nets.
Ness Battery No.2 was equipped with two 6-inch breech-loading guns in open emplacements. The guns were manned by Royal Marine gunners. 6-inch guns were intended to engage medium-sized enemy ships, such as cruisers, but not battleships. Ness Battery No. 2 was also the site of Western Fire Command, which co-ordinated the fire of the batteries on the NW approaches to Scapa Flow.
In the Second World War this was the only one of the Ness batteries to be rebuilt on the same site. A large, modern battery, for two 6-inch guns, with overhead cover, was built. The emplacements of the First World War battery are still visible, in front of and below the later emplacements.
Information from HS/RCAHMS World War One Audit Project (GJB) 23 September 2013.
HY20NW 27.03 24866 07926
Two First World War 6-inch gun emplacements are situated 20m SW No.2 and about 20m SE of No.1 of the World War II gun emplacements. All that can be seen appearing out of the grass next to the track are two circular concrete parapets.
The battery was armed with at least two 6-inch (Guy mentions four 6-inch) guns.
The gun-emplacements are visible on vertical air photographs (OS 64.54, 033-034, flown 5 June 1964),
Visited by RCAHMS (DE, GS, August 2000), J Guy 1994; NMRS MS 810/2, 89, 91
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
Project (March 2013 - September 2013)
A project to characterise the quantity and quality of the Scottish resource of known surviving remains of the First World War. Carried out in partnership between Historic Scotland and RCAHMS.
