Heugh Battery facts for kids
The Heugh (say "yuff") Gun Battery is a historic fort located on the Headland in Hartlepool, England. This special place is now a museum. It's famous for being the only battlefield in Great Britain from World War I.
Contents
History of Heugh Battery
Protecting Hartlepool's Port
The Heugh Battery was first built in 1860. It was one of three forts designed to protect the growing port of Hartlepool. The other two were Lighthouse Battery and Fairy Cove. These batteries had large guns called 68pr smoothbore guns.
Upgrades and New Guns
Over the years, the battery was updated. In the 1880s, its guns were changed to 64pr Rifled Muzzle Loading guns. Later, in 1893, even newer guns were introduced. The Lighthouse Battery received a powerful 6-inch Mk VI gun.
World War I: The Bombardment of Hartlepool
In 1900, Heugh Battery was completely rebuilt. It got two modern 6-inch Mk VII guns. By 1907, the Lighthouse Battery also had one of these guns. These three guns were very important during the Bombardment of Hartlepool.
On December 16, 1914, German ships attacked Hartlepool. This was during World War I. At 8:10 AM, a German shell landed very close to the battery. Sadly, this caused the first death of a soldier on British soil during World War I. You can find a plaque near the battery that remembers this event.
Changes for World War II
In 1936, one of Heugh Battery's guns was moved. The Lighthouse Battery then became part of Heugh Battery. This meant the Lighthouse gun became Heugh's No 1 gun. New equipment was also added to help find targets.
When World War II began in 1939, soldiers from the local army unit manned the battery. During the early war years, more new equipment was added. By 1942, the battery was ready to defend against both ships and aircraft. The guns were updated again to 6-inch Mk 24 guns.
Closing and Becoming a Museum
Heugh Battery was temporarily closed in 1944. It reopened in 1947 with new anti-aircraft guns. However, the battery finally closed for good in 1956. This was because coastal defenses were no longer needed in the same way.
Today, the Heugh Gun Battery is looked after by a special trust. It is now a museum where you can learn about its history. You can also see a collection of old artillery.
Recent Restoration Efforts
In the 2020s, experts noticed that the battery needed some repairs. Historic England, a group that protects historical sites, gave £40,000. This money helped pay for a detailed check of the battery's structure. This will help make sure the battery stays safe for future visitors.
See also
- 54°41′50″N 1°10′36″W / 54.697121°N 1.176655°W map coordinates
