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Flotta, Stanger Head, 4.7-inch Battery
Coastal Battery (Second World War), Magazine(S) (Second World War), Observation Post (Second World War)
Site Name Flotta, Stanger Head, 4.7-inch Battery
Classification Coastal Battery (Second World War), Magazine(S) (Second World War), Observation Post (Second World War)
Canmore ID 270131
Site Number ND39SE 11.04
NGR ND 3773 9254
NGR Description c.ND 3773 9254
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/270131
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Walls And Flotta
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
ND39SE 11.04 c.3773 9254
Nothing of this emplacement could be found amongst quarry debris on the date of visit in 1999.
The holdfast for the gun-emplacement of a World War II 4.7-inch coast battery was noted by J Guy (1993) at the edge of the quarry. The battery dates from the pre-war period (WO 192/262).
Part of the observation tower remains some 100m N of the 6-inch battery remains (ND39SE 11.07). Built of shuttered concrete, only the lower portion remains.
Visited by RCAHMS (DE, GS), August 1999
Field Visit (1997)
Elements located
Stanger Battery came into being at the outbreak of WWI to guard Hoxa Sound. Initially, the battery was armed with four temporarily emplaced twelve-pounder guns. Later, these were replaced with four 4” quick fire guns in permanent concrete emplacements. In 1915 two 6” quick fire guns were added.
In 1938, in preparation for the war, the Stanger Battery was reopened with the installation of two 6” guns on temporary emplacements. By 1940, a permanent emplacement had been built and was now backed up by an additional 4.7” gun, set on a temporary emplacement nearby. This battery served to guard Hoxa and Switha Sounds.
Little survives of the batteries, due in part to extensive post-war quarrying and land disturbance. Other military remains cover an extensive area, mostly located 100m or more inland. Within the coastal zone there are frequent fragments of earthworks. These possibly represent military training areas and firing ranges. The ruinous footings of concrete and brick buildings which do survive in this area are now very obscured by vegetation.
Orkney Coastal Zone Assessment 1997.
