Frobisher Battery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frobisher Battery |
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| Plymouth Devon England |
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 Frobisher Battery
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| Coordinates | 50°20′20″N 4°07′18″W / 50.3388°N 4.1217°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Infilled |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1888–1892 |
Frobisher Battery was a special kind of fort built near Plymouth, Devon, in England. It was designed to protect the important Plymouth Sound from enemy ships. Think of it like a giant guard post with powerful cannons! Today, it's no longer used, but its history is still protected.
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What Was Frobisher Battery?
Frobisher Battery was a "gun battery." This means it was a place where large cannons, called guns, were set up to defend an area. It was located on a high spot called Staddon Heights. This gave it a great view of the sea. Its main job was to stop any enemy ships from sailing into Plymouth Sound, a big natural harbor.
Building the Battery
Before Frobisher Battery, there was an older fort on the same spot. It was called Twelve Acre Brake Battery. This first fort was finished in 1867. It had space for three guns.
Later, between 1888 and 1892, a brand new battery was built on the same site. In 1890, it was given a new name: Frobisher Battery.
What Guns Did It Have?
Frobisher Battery was armed with a very powerful gun. It was called an RML 12.5-inch 38-ton gun. This was a huge cannon! It weighed 38 tons. Its barrel was 12.5 inches wide.
This giant gun was meant to "bombard" enemy ships. To bombard means to fire many shells at something. The goal was to stop any ships trying to get into Plymouth Sound.
What Happened to Frobisher Battery?
The battery was no longer needed after 1903. So, its big gun was removed. This is called being "disarmed."
Later, in the late 1900s, the battery was "infilled" with earth. This means it was filled up with soil. Today, the site is covered with plants and trees.
However, much of the battery still exists underground. It is now a "scheduled monument." This means it's a special historical site. It is protected by law. This helps make sure its history is preserved for the future.
