Beacon Hill Battery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beacon Hill Battery |
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| Harwich Essex England |
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 Beacon Hill Battery
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| Coordinates | 51°56′17″N 1°17′21″E / 51.9381°N 1.2892°E |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Restored |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1889-92 |
| Materials | Earth Concrete |
Beacon Hill Battery, also called Beacon Hill Fort, is an old military fort in Harwich, Essex. It was built to protect the important port of Harwich. Today, it is a special historic site known as a scheduled ancient monument.
Contents
History of the Fort: Protecting Harwich
This section explores how the land at Beacon Hill has been used for defense over many years. From early blockhouses to modern batteries, it has always been a key spot for protecting Harwich.
Early Defenses: Henry VIII's Blockhouse
The very first fort on this site was a "blockhouse." It was built during the time of Henry VIII after he visited Harwich in 1543. This blockhouse was one of three special forts made to defend the town.
These forts were left unused after about ten years. But in 1588, they were quickly brought back into use. This was because of the big threat from the Spanish Armada, a huge fleet of ships sent by Spain.
By 1625, the site was again in poor condition. Harwich was thought to be unprotected. Over time, the sea slowly washed away the original blockhouse.
Harwich Barracks: Soldiers and Signals
Later, in 1803, a new military camp called Harwich Barracks was built here. The first soldiers to live there were from the West Essex Regiment and the Royal Buckinghamshire Militia.
These barracks housed most of the Harwich army during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. There was also a naval signal station here. In the 1800s, before the breakwater was built, the sea continued to erode parts of the site.
The Harwich Redoubt, another fort, was finished nearby in 1810. It was first called the Harwich Circular Battery. It had ten powerful 24-pound guns. These guns were updated in 1862 to make them even stronger.
Beacon Hill Battery: Modern Fortification
By the 1880s, the older forts were not strong enough. So, in 1889, work began on a completely new fort. This new fort, Beacon Hill Battery, was finished in 1892.
World War Service: Guns and Radar
After World War I, the fort's guns were removed and the site was sold. However, in 1940, it was needed again for World War II. A new gun position with two 6-pounder guns and a director tower were built. This part became known as Cornwallis Battery. Soldiers from the 515th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery manned it.
The site also had two large 6-inch guns for the main Beacon Hill Battery. These were also operated by the 515th Coast Regiment. A special hexagonal brick tower was built in 1941. This tower, along with other stations, helped control defensive mines in the harbor entrance. It did not control the guns directly. New radar for gun control arrived in 1944. Sometimes, anti-aircraft guns and torpedo tubes were also placed at Beacon Hill.
Restoration of Beacon Hill Battery
The fort was finally closed down in 1956. This happened when coast artillery was no longer used in the United Kingdom.
In early 2018, parts of Beacon Hill Battery were bought by Paul Valentine and Barry Sharp. They started a project to restore the fort. You can find more information about their work and visiting times on the Beacon Hill Fort website.
