Brownhill Battery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brownhill Battery |
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| Plymouth Devon England |
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 Brownhill Battery
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| Coordinates | 50°20′25″N 4°07′02″W / 50.3402°N 4.1171°W |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1861–c. 1868 |
Brownhill Battery is an old military site near Plymouth, Devon, in England. It was a special place where big guns were set up to defend the coast. This type of defense is called a gun battery.
Brownhill Battery was one of many forts and defenses built around Plymouth. These were suggested by a special group called the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom in 1859. This group advised the government on how to protect the country.
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What is Brownhill Battery?
Brownhill Battery is a former gun battery located at Staddon Heights, near Plymouth. It was built to protect the important naval city of Plymouth from attacks, especially from the sea. Construction started in 1861. This was at the same time as other defenses, like Staddon Fort, were being built in the area. The battery was finished by 1868. However, it was not armed with guns right away.
Why Was It Built?
In the mid-1800s, there was concern about possible attacks on Britain. The Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom was set up to figure out the best ways to protect important places. Plymouth, with its busy port and naval base, was a key target. Brownhill Battery was part of a big plan to create a strong defense system around the city.
How Was It Designed?
The battery was designed with a unique shape. It had a five-sided earthwork rampart, which is like a strong wall made of earth. This rampart held several gun emplacements, which were special spots for the cannons. A deep ditch was built across the front of the battery to make it harder for enemies to get close.
The west side of the battery had a strong wall called a gorge wall. This wall had small openings called loopholes. These loopholes allowed defenders to shoot at attackers safely from inside the battery.
What Guns Did It Have?
In 1875, eight large guns called RML 64-pounder 64 cwt guns were meant for the battery. These guns were stored nearby at Staddon Fort. By 1885, Brownhill Battery was armed with six RML 8-inch howitzers. Howitzers are a type of cannon that can shoot shells in a high arc, useful for hitting targets behind hills or walls.
What Happened to It?
It is thought that Brownhill Battery stopped being used around the time of World War I (1914-1918). Today, the site is mostly covered with plants and is used for farming. However, much of the original battery structure is still there. It is protected as a scheduled monument, which means it's an important historical site that must be preserved.
