Tyne Turrets facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tyne Turrets |
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| Northumberland, England, UK | |
Water tower at Robert's Battery, one of the two 'Tyne Turrets'
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 Tyne Turrets
Location in England
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| Coordinates | 55°00′50″N 1°25′34″W / 55.014°N 1.426°W |
The Tyne Turrets were two huge 12-inch guns. These powerful guns came from a battleship called HMS Illustrious. They were set up in two special places called 'batteries'. One battery, named Roberts Battery, was in Hartley, north of the River Tyne. The other, Kitchener Battery, was in Marsden, south of the river.
These big guns were first planned during World War I. However, they were not ready until 1921. Just a few years later, in 1926, the guns were taken apart and removed. At the time, only the Dover harbour Admiralty Pier Turret had guns as large and powerful as these.
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What Were the Tyne Turrets?
The Tyne Turrets were a pair of very large guns. They were designed to protect the coast. Each gun was 12 inches wide at the barrel. They were originally on a battleship. A battleship is a very large warship with many big guns. These guns were moved from the ship to land. They were then placed in strong concrete buildings. These buildings are called gun batteries.
Why Were These Guns So Big?
These guns were huge because they needed to shoot very far. They could hit enemy ships far out at sea. This was important for protecting the coast. The guns were part of Britain's defense plan. They helped keep the country safe from attacks by sea.
Where Were the Tyne Turrets Located?
The two Tyne Turrets were placed on opposite sides of the River Tyne. This river flows into the North Sea. Their locations were chosen carefully. This allowed them to cover a wide area of the coastline.
Roberts Battery: North of the Tyne
Roberts Battery was located in Hartley. This area is near a place called Seaton Sluice. It is on the northern side of the River Tyne. This spot offered a good view of the sea. It was perfect for spotting approaching ships.
Kitchener Battery: South of the Tyne
Kitchener Battery was in Marsden. This is close to Lizard Point. It is on the southern side of the River Tyne. Having guns on both sides of the river meant better protection. They could create a crossfire if needed.
A Short History of the Tyne Turrets
The idea for the Tyne Turrets came about during World War I. This was a time when many countries were fighting. Britain needed strong defenses. The plan was to use these powerful guns to guard the coast.
Planning During World War I
The decision to build these batteries was made during the war. However, building such large structures takes a lot of time. Moving and installing huge guns is also a big job. Because of this, they were not finished quickly.
Commissioned and Scrapped Quickly
The guns were finally ready in 1921. This was after World War I had ended. To "commission" something means to officially put it into service. So, the guns were ready to be used. But just five years later, in 1926, they were "scrapped." To scrap something means to take it apart and get rid of it. This happened because the need for such heavy coastal guns changed. New military strategies and technologies emerged.
Why Were They Removed So Soon?
The decision to remove the Tyne Turrets so quickly might seem strange. However, military needs change over time. After World War I, the threats to Britain's coast were different. Also, new types of weapons and defense methods were being developed.
Changing Defense Needs
After the war, the main threats shifted. There was less need for fixed, heavy coastal guns. Other defense strategies became more important. These might have included air power or more mobile naval forces.
Cost and Maintenance
Keeping such large guns and their batteries running was very expensive. They needed a lot of people to operate them. They also required regular maintenance. It was likely decided that the cost was too high for their limited use.
Images for kids
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Water tower at Robert's Battery, one of the two 'Tyne Turrets'
