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Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, "a" Group, 6-inch Gun Emplacements

Coastal Battery (20th Century), Coastal Battery (Second World War), Coastal Battery (First World War)

Site Name Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, "a" Group, 6-inch Gun Emplacements

Classification Coastal Battery (20th Century), Coastal Battery (Second World War), Coastal Battery (First World War)

Alternative Name(s) Fort No.3

Canmore ID 84262

Site Number NT28SE 5.03

NGR NT 29561 82309

NGR Description NT 29577 82268 and NT 29614 82307

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/84262

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Fife
  • Parish Kinghorn
  • Former Region Fife
  • Former District Kirkcaldy
  • Former County Fife

World War One Audit of Surviving Remains (1 November 2013)

The battery known as “A” Group lay at the southern end of the island. It was built on the pre-existing Victorian No. 3 South Battery [The National Archives WO 192/251] (NT28SE 1.03). Two 10-inch RML (Rifled Muzzle-loader) guns (of four on the island) were originally mounted here in 1879, being replaced, according to the Fort Record Book, by two 6-inch BL guns, the 10-inch guns being sent to Aberdeen and Montrose.

The construction of the modern battery, to accommodate two 6-inch guns, is recorded on a series of record drawings dated 1901 on (The National Archives ) WO 78/5159, which note the commencement of construction on 3 June 1898, completion on 14 July 1900, at a cost of £5116 (against an estimate of £4507). A direction finder was provided for the battery in 1901 [The National Archives WO 192/251].

The battery was struck off the approved armament of the island in 1906 and the two guns were replaced in 1907 by different 6-inch guns for practice use; these guns were themselves removed in November 1909, when the School of Gunnery was moved from Leith to Broughty Castle. [The National Archives WO 192/251].

The battery was brought back into use in April 1915 using two guns brought from batteries in England and mounted in the existing emplacements.

The guns of the island were placed on a care and maintenance basis in July 1920 but were brought back into use in 1925; at that date the defence scheme for the island included only four of the 6-inch guns including both the “A” group guns. The two guns were around this time replaced by two brought from Inchcolm [The National Archives WO 192/251]. By 1938 the names of the guns had changed to “South 6” gun No.1” and South 6” gun No. 2”. The Fort Record Book notes that all guns on the island were replaced in May and June 1939. In the Second World War the emplacements were provided with overhead cover of concrete on steel beams.

The battery made use of pre-existing defence structures, most significantly two rock-cut ditches to its north and south. In the middle of both ditches there were ‘caponiers’ - firing positions like pillboxes set in and across the ditch, to fire along the ditch and to the front. Both had 12 firing loopholes and were reached by covered ways from inside the battery. The main approach to the battery, from the north, was defended by a drawbridge over the ditch.

Archaeology Notes

NT28SE 5.03 29577 82268 and 29614 82307

For Victorian period gun battery remains see NT28SE 1.03

A concrete and brick coast battery of World War One and Two date. The battery consisted of 2 x 6-inch Mk II/II guns installed in 1900 with a further two 6-inch guns being added in 1907. These were removed in 1909.

During World War Two, 2 x 6-inch Mk VII/II guns were installed. This gun battery was operational throughout the Second World War.

J Guy 1994; NMRS MS 810/3; PRO WO/192/251.

This two gun emplacement battery is situated at the S end of the Island between the two 19th century rock cut ditches. The battery has been built on top of the Victorian Fort No.3 (NT28SE 1.03) and has utilised the magazines, crew accommodation and offices of that period.

The emplacements are constructed of concrete with the later WW II period canopies built of brick and concrete with steel support beams. The two concrete gun pits with handrails and ready use ammunition lockers are known as South No.1 gun (to the W) facing S, and South No.2 gun (to the E), facing SE. No.1 gun has a conveyer belt ammunition hoist set into the rear of the gun platform and No.2 gun has a shell hoist built into the side of the emplacement. Both emplacements have concrete areas to the front with stones set into them.

The Battery Observation Post and Fire Control points are situated centrally between the two gun emplacements. Built of brick and concrete it forms a triangular shaped in plan structure with the the main viewing platform set back from the two smaller fire control points. Internally much of the wooden wall lining survives.

Attached to the battery are two searchlight platforms, one on the E side the other to the SW.

The battery is annotated as 'A group' on the WO plan of the Island (RCAHMS MS 879/83). An oblique aerial photograph taken in 1941 (RAF WW II sortie No.S309, frame no.6950, flown 2 October 1941), shows that the canopy on No.2 gun emplacement remains incomplete.

Visited by RCAHMS (DE, AL< JM), 25 February, 4 and 5th March 2009

Activities

Excavation (August 2007 - October 2007)

NT 2960 8230 (centred on) An archaeological survey and assessment were undertaken of an area proposed for a temporary anemometer mast and anchor point, at the southern end of Inchkeith Island during August–October 2007. The assessment identified 13 structures and four areas of archaeological interest in an area of approximately 5400m².

The subsequent excavation consisted of six ‘trenches’ for securing the base and anchor points of the mast. The trenches demonstrated the degraded nature of much of the volcanic bedrock in addition to illustrating that certain areas retain deep soil profiles. Finds from the excavations were late 19th and 20th-century in date. Archaeological features included cables and services, relating to the First or Second World War occupation. All archaeological features were left in situ.

Archive and Report: RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: SLP Energy Ltd

Dan Atkinson and George Geddes (Headland Archaeology Ltd), 2008

Archaeological Evaluation (August 2007)

Sea & Land Power and Energy Ltd. commissioned Headland Archaeology Ltd to undertake an archaeological survey and assessment of an area for a proposed temporary anemometer mast and anchor points at the south end of Inchkeith Island in the Firth of Forth. As Inchkeith is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 3838), Scheduled Monument Consent is required for the installation of the anemometer from Historic Scotland, acting

on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The assessment identified thirteen structures and four areas of archaeological interest that lie within the assessment area, which formed an area approximately 90m by 60m or 5400m². The survey succeeded in plotting these structures and features within a general topographic survey in relation to the proposed location of the mast plate and 5 anchor points. These locations were assessed as to the level of potential impacts that their introduction may have on archaeological features. This has resulted in a minor modification of

the proposed location in order to minimize any impacts.

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.

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