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Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, "o" Group [north Gun No. 2], 6-inch Gun Emplacement

Coastal Battery (Second World War), Coastal Battery (First World War)

Site Name Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, "o" Group [north Gun No. 2], 6-inch Gun Emplacement

Classification Coastal Battery (Second World War), Coastal Battery (First World War)

Alternative Name(s) West Stell; North Gun No. 2

Canmore ID 84263

Site Number NT28SE 5.04

NGR NT 29059 82990

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/84263

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

Archaeology Notes

NT28SE 5.04 29059 82990

A concrete and brick construction, built during the First World War and operational until the latter part of the Second World War. Consisting of two 6-inch Mk VII/II guns, the first installed in 1916, the second during 1917 [This may be reffering to the second gun emplacement built in the 'H' group to the south (see NT28SE 5.07)]. One gun had come from the South Hool Battery the other from Chapel Bay. Both guns had been removed by 1948.

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

This gun emplacement is situated on lower ground at the NW point of the Island.

It consists of one single gun emplacement with a Battery Observation Post (BOP) and two searchlight emplacements. The gun emplacement with gun pit is constructed of concrete with the later canopy built of brick and concrete.

The BOP is two storeys high and built of brick with the upper third harled with a canopy. The entrance is from stairs at the S end and at ground floor level. The building was not entered on the date of visit.

One of the two searchlight emplacements is built into the cliff to the NNW.

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

Activities

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.

Note (1 November 2013)

This gun emplacement stands at the NW corner of Inchkeith Island. The gun emplacement was for a 6-inch gun built sometime after August 1916 and was ready for action on the 23/6/1917 as O/1 ('O' group No. 1 gun) (The National Archives WO 192/251) .

This gun emplacement appears to be re-assigned throughout its operational life. It is first referred in October 1916 as "'H' group advanced" when 'H' group battery was at that time (see NT28SE 5.07) located to the S on the old Victorian Fort No.1.

By June 1917 the gun emplacement becomes 'O' group (The National Archive WO 192/251), with the rest of 'H' group now 'L' group.

By 1941 (The National Archives WO 192/251) the gun is now paired with the gun emplacement at the NE of Inchkeith (see NT28SE 5.02), and is called North Gun No. 2.

Information from RCAHMS (AKK) 1 November 2013.

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