East Weare Batteries
East Weare Batteries are a series of five former gun batteries of mid-19th century origin at East Weare, below the east and north-east sides of the Verne Citadel. The five sections, known as A, B, C, D and E Batteries, were built to protect Portland Harbour. In 1973, E Battery became a scheduled monument and continues to be protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. In 1993, the same section also became a Grade II listed monument, while in 2018, A and C Batteries became Grade II listed as well.
A and B Batteries are often referred to as Forbidden City by local residents and urban explorers. After they were decommissioned as a coastal defence in 1954, these two sections were used as a Disaster Relief Exercise site (DISTEX) as part of the Royal Navy's Flag Officer Sea Training, which was based at Portland from 1958 to 1995. Above A and B Batteries is the now-Grade II listed East Weare Camp, which was built in c. 1866-69 as a military provost prison. Both East Weare Batteries and the camp are the property of Portland Port Ltd and have not been opened to the public.
History
Construction of batteries and 19th century use
In the mid-19th century, the government approved plans for the transformation of Portland Roads into a harbour of refuge with the building of two breakwater arms. The commissioning of the harbour was prompted by concerns over the security of the English Channel, fears of a French invasion and the development of Cherbourg Harbour. In order to protect the new harbour, which began to be increasingly used by the Royal Navy, a number of defences and fortifications were constructed, including the Verne Citadel and its associated series of batteries at East Weare.
Owing to the latest tensions with France and the perceived urgency for some form of defence for the new harbour of refuge at Portland, earthen batteries of a temporary nature were established at East Weare in 1859. The 1860 report of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom recorded that "several batteries on the eastern side of the Verne Hill are already constructed". There were four positions to the west of the Admiralty Incline Railway and two to the east. In 1861, a number of Armstrong guns arrived at the batteries but were never mounted. The Weymouth, Portland, and Dorchester Telegram reported in September 1861 that the batteries "have their guns in, though not mounted, and their shot and shell in store", adding that, "They only want powder to be ready for instant action, and this necessary could be given to them from the guardship Colossus in a single hour, if wanted."
These temporary batteries were soon demolished to make way for the permanent works. Convicts carried out preliminary work to prepare the ground at East Weare over the course of 1860-61, which included excavating, levelling and trenching work, as well as blowing up discarded boulders from past quarrying, creating earthworks and laying some roadways. Messrs Jay and Co of London were contracted to construct a "new barrack, magazine, and stores at East Weare" and the foundation stone was laid by Lieutenant Wynne of the Royal Engineers on 6 January 1862. However, during the early stages of the work, difficulties were frequently met as a result of the unstable site, which was prone to landslips, and the general area was also found to require draining.
Although this additional preliminary work was largely successful, instability remained an issue in certain areas and the decision was later made to reduce the number of batteries from eight to six, with the two batteries on the east side of the Admiralty Incline being abandoned after further land slippage. In addition to the use of civilian contractors, convict labour continued to be used extensively at the site. The convicts created much of the required earthworks and constructed magazines for B and C Batteries. Messrs Jay & Co of London constructed the main magazine at A Battery for £2,553.
Four sections (A, B, C and D Batteries), which were built over the earlier temporary positions, were reported as nearing completion in 1868. By this time, the intended armament across all six batteries was twenty-seven 9-inch RML guns. Construction of E and F Batteries had not been started on account of land stability concerns; a slip had occurred in that region in late 1864, resulting in their construction being postponed. Work commenced on E Battery in late 1868 and it was completed around 1870. Meanwhile, the land stability issue for the site of F Battery remained and the decision was made not to construct it. The battery was probably intended to hold seven emplacements, similar to that of A Battery.
A Commissioner report published in 1869 described the works at East Weare as "open earthen batteries with embrasures", and praised them as "well designed and well executed both as regards permanency and stability, and their power offensive and defensive against an enemy." However, owing to the constant advancements in coastal defence, weapons technology and the storage of shells, modifications would be made to the batteries during the 1870s. In 1871, a proposal was approved to install seven 10-inch RMLs across the five batteries, rather than have them armed solely with 9-inch RMLs.
By 1874, all thirteen 9-inch RMLs guns had been installed at East Weare. As the batteries were considered part of the Verne Citadel's outworks, most gunners and personnel were accommodated at the Verne, although quarters were erected on the hillside west of B Battery for the resident gunners. In order to provide direct access between the Verne and batteries, convicts excavated a deep cutting on the south-east side of the citadel in 1872-73, which formed a communication tunnel leading to a sally port. From there, a zigzag path led down to the batteries.
"Extensive alterations and additions" were carried out between 1875-78 to modernise the batteries. New emplacements were built for the approved 10-inch RMLs and they were installed during the same period. The original emplacements, which had the guns firing through embrasures, were updated to the latest barbette form. In 1875-81, a lengthy sea wall was built from Balaclava Bay towards King's Pier in the attempt to prevent future landslips which would potentially damage the batteries. During the same period, a surface water drainage system was put in place around the batteries, and a large hollow below D and E batteries was infilled as additional measures.
In c. 1887-88, the two centre emplacements at C Battery were altered to change their shape (to circular) and depth, and the latest RML pivots were installed in both. In 1891-92, alteration work was carried out at A and B Batteries, which saw their armament replaced with four and two 10-inch RML guns respectively. The guns, three of which were transferred from the Nothe Fort, were landed near Portland Castle in 1892 and taken to the batteries using a traction engine belonging to the stone merchant and quarry owner Mr. F. J. Barnes.
Modernisation and decommissioning of C, D and E Batteries (1897-1903)
The rapid advancements in warfare and weapon technology led to the decision to update A and B Batteries in the late 1890s to accommodate the superior breech-loading (BL) gun. As the modernisation scheme meant that far fewer guns would be required, C, D and E Batteries were to be decommissioned. The local firm Messrs Jesty and Baker carried out the reconstruction and modernisation of the two batteries. Work commenced on A Battery in 1899 and on B Battery the following year. Both batteries were completed in 1901, allowing A to hold two 9.2-inch BL Mark X guns and B three 6-inch BL Mark VII guns. The work on A Battery cost £8,721 and B Battery £7,196.
The three 6-inch BL guns were installed during 1901, with one of the guns being delivered to the battery by one of Mr. Barne's traction engines on 21 June 1901. After arriving to Castletown by boat, the two 9.2-inch BL guns were delivered to A Battery in May 1902, with the first gun arriving on 13 May and the second around 15 May. Each gun was hauled by two traction engines belonging to Messrs Bagg and Son. The bridge over the Merchant's Incline was shored up by Messrs Jesty and Baker to support their weight. The delivery of the second gun met some difficulty on its journey after it gave way to an oncoming traction engine and the wheels of its carriage sank into the ground up to its axle. A jack was required to free the carriage which delayed the journey by a number of hours.
E Battery was the first to be decommissioned at East Weare in c. 1897 and the two 9-inch RMLs at C Battery were removed around the same time. The two 10-inch RMLs at C Battery and the two 9-inch and one 10-inch RMLs at D Battery were all removed in 1903. In 1903-05, a practice battery was constructed above A and B Batteries for use by the Volunteers.
Early 20th century, World War I and inter-war use
In c. 1905, A, B and C Batteries were enclosed with an unclimbable steel fence. Seven block houses were also built at various points around the perimeter and these were manned by infantry to protect the site against land attack. In c. 1907, two defence electric light emplacements were built near Balaclava Bay to house fighting lights to assist A Battery's guns at night. The associated engine room and oil store was built next to the magazine of C Battery. In 1909, a new shelter for 38 men, and including an ablution room, was built near B Battery.
A battery command post and electric light defence station building was constructed close to East Weare Camp for £321 in 1912-13 to serve A-B batteries. The new building replaced an earlier BC Post and telephone room situated nearby. The War Office handed over D Battery to the Royal Navy in 1915, who used the magazine for storing explosives. The 6-inch BL guns of B Battery and one of their carriages were temporarily withdrawn in 1916 but ultimately never returned. Meanwhile, the two defence electric lights were removed in c. 1927.
World War II
East Weare returned to full time occupation from 6 July 1940 and was manned by personnel of 102 Battery of the 522nd (Dorsetshire) Coast Regiment RA over the course of World War II. After the fall of France in 1940, Portland Harbour became a vulnerable target for Luftwaffe attacks and naval use of the harbour had to be reduced during the early years of the war. In turn, the area's fortifications had the primary role of preventing enemy shipping from landing troops and equipment, either in the harbour or on nearby beaches. The defence of the harbour itself became secondary.
Two new searchlights were installed in the existing emplacements near Balaclava Bay and a new engine room was erected in their vicinity. Anti-aircraft defence was provided by a twin-mounted light machine gun in the region of A Battery. A reserve AA position was located on the hillside behind B Battery and there were two reserve machine guns on site. As part of anti-invasion measures in 1940, the existing block houses around the battery perimeter continued to provide protection as pillboxes, while three trenches were excavated to the south of A Battery and a nearby machine gun post was added. In early 1941, one of the battery's 9.2-inch BL guns was removed and replaced with a new piece.
In 1940, twelve Nissen huts were erected around the region of A Battery to provide accommodation and other facilities. Eight of these huts formed as sleeping quarters for 12 men each. In 1941, three additional huts were erected, two of which provided further sleeping quarters, with all ten sleeping quarter huts now to hold 14 men each. Meanwhile, the pre-existing buildings on site were given a variety of new functions from stores and offices to messes and further accommodation. The former B Battery held various stores at ground level as well as sergeants' quarters and the warrant officer's quarters. Its emplacements were also roofed over at some stage. The former resident gunners' quarters on the hillside above B Battery formed the officers' quarters. Six of the Nissen huts were demolished in mid-1941 and a permanent barrack block of brick was built behind B Battery in 1941-42.
Post war use, 1954 decommissioning and subsequent use
On 25 July 1947, the War Office formally handed over most of their land and buildings at East Weare to the Admiralty. The same year saw the two 9.2-inch BL guns removed except for their mountings and the ammunition in the magazine moved to the Nothe Fort. However, as East Weare continued to be considered a coastal defence, albeit under care and maintenance, a group of essential buildings and structures were retained by the War Office, including the FC post, gun stores (formerly the defence officers' room), battery observation post, CASL directing station and the two 9.2-inch BL gun emplacements. In June 1950, a CA No. 2 Mk. 1/1 radar was installed at the site and remained there until May 1954. It was used by the new seaward defence headquarters (SDHQ), established at HMS Osprey in 1950-51.
In 1954, the mountings and remaining equipment for the 9.2-inch BL guns were sold to a contractor for salvage. Messrs. Cox & Danks of Cardiff were given the contract and they sub-contracted the work to Messrs. Thompson Bros of Cardiff. The work was carried out from 23 February to 27 May 1954. Meanwhile, any equipment and other assets deemed to have value were taken to the Nothe Fort. With confirmation from HQ 102 Coast Brigade RA (TA) that East Weare was no longer required as a coastal artillery site, the War Office formally handed back the final parts of the site to the Admiralty on 22 September 1954.
Following the handover, the former A and B Batteries were primarily used for storage by the Royal Navy. From the 1970s, they were given a new role as a Disaster Relief Exercise (DISTEX) site, which formed part of the Flag Officer Sea Training programme. This programme, established at Portland in 1958, was responsible for ensuring all Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels were fit to join the operational fleet by testing the crew's readiness through a series of drills and exercises, including war-fighting scenarios and emergencies. The DISTEX site was regularly used for disaster relief training and included handling fires and providing aid to 'wounded' civilians. Aside from Royal Navy vessels, the navies of other NATO countries would also take part in the programme.
Portland Port Ltd became the new owners of the batteries in 1996, following the closure of HM Naval Base Portland. That year, The Independent reported the port's plans for the possible renovation of historic coastal fortifications in the area, but no such work has come to fruition. During the 2000s, A and B Batteries were used for a short period as a site for Airsoft combat.
Condition
Having been used for fire training as part of the DISTEX site, A and B Batteries' emplacements have suffered fire damage. C Battery has suffered from some erosion but remains intact. In 1996, D Battery was cleared of undergrowth and earth filling, but has since become completely obscured again. A to D Batteries remain enclosed in the port's fencing, though the site has often been subject to trespassing. E Battery is regularly accessed but has been a victim of vandalism as a result. In recent years, it has been listed on Historic England's "Heritage at Risk" register, with the condition being described as "unsatisfactory with major localised problems". The main vulnerability aspect of the site is scrub/tree overgrowth and it has been noted that the overall condition has been declining.
Some features of the battery have been demolished over the years. The fire commander's post, which controlled and had communication with all of Portland's coastal defences, was demolished in c. 1990. Three of the seven block houses surrounding the batteries are known to have been demolished since 1996. Both of the battery's defence electric light emplacements have been demolished; one shortly after World War II and the other in c. 2007.
E Battery has been a scheduled monument since 1973 and was also awarded Grade II listed status in May 1993. Both A and C Batteries became Grade II listed in February 2018. Some of the reasons for their designation included the "architectural detailing and use of good quality Portland stone", their "important role in British naval history" and their group value as "part of a naval base of considerable importance".
Access
All five batteries and East Weare Camp are owned by Portland Port Ltd, but remain closed to the public, with the site becoming overgrown and increasingly dilapidated.
When Portland Port Ltd took over the site, it was believed by some that the batteries would be opened to the public. In a 1994 report by Drivers Jonas for the Portland Harbour Consortium on the potential future use of the harbour after the closure of HMNB Portland, it was identified that paths and nature trails could be created around the batteries. It was noted that "interpretation facilities" could highlight the area's geology, wildlife and military history, thereby creating a "positive asset for tourism on the Isle", although "some of the disused and derelict structures in this area would need to be made safe to allow the public unlimited access".
Geoff Kirby, on his Exploring Portland website, noted that East Weare Batteries would be "a sure-fire tourist attraction if opened but the cost of making the old buildings safe would be very high." He also commented that the site, including the camp, was "being neglected and allowed to rot away, and buildings of undoubted historical interest are falling apart". In his 1998 book Discover Dorset: Portland, local historian Stuart Morris noted that the batteries "await discovery by the next generation of tourists".
Appendix B of the 2013-14 Draft Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland stated: "Several of the extant gun batteries and Victorian defensive buildings above Portland Port in East Weares are omitted from the scheduled ancient monuments and statutory listings. This should be remedied before further damage or destruction occurs, and every effort should be made to restore them and open them up for public access."
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) British Film Institute - The Thursday War [10/03/89] (1989) - website page
2) Discover Dorset: Portland - Stuart Morris - Dovecote Press - 1998 - ISBN: 978-1874336495 - page 63 - book
3) Exploring Portland - "No Man's Land" - Geoff Kirby - website page
4) Exploring Portland - Portland Port, Naval Cemetery and a Gun Battery - Geoff Kirby - website page
5) Historic England - Heritage at Risk Register - Battery 200 yards (180 metres) east of the Naval cemetery, Portland - website page
6) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - Battery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemetery - website page
7) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - Battery approximately 160m NE of East Weare Camp - website page
8) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - Battery approximately 80m SE of East Weare Camp - website page
9) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - East Weare Batteries at SY 694 741 - website page
10) Pastscape - East Weare Battery - website page
11) Pastscape - East Weare Battery #2 - website page
12) Portland Harbour and its Defences Report - anonymous author - undated - pages 39-41
13) Portland Harbour Consortium - Portland Harbour Study - Drivers Jonas - January 1994 - final report
14) Report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the construction, condition, and cost of the fortifications, erected, or in course of erection, under 30th & 31st vict., and previous statutes - 1869 - report
15) Report of the Directors of Convict Prisons - Portland Prison - Extracts from the Governor's report for the years 1872 and 1873
16) Report of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom - 1860 - report
17) The British Newspaper Archive - various contemporary newspaper articles - website page
18) The Coastal Defences of Portland and Weymouth - E. A. Andrews and M. L. Pinsent - 1981 - supplement to the journal Fort (Fortress Study Group) - report
19) The Independent - Portland's naval history ends as last warship sails - Will Bennet - July 1995 - website page
20) The National Archives - Portland: East Weare Battery - WO 192/304 - fort record book - 1940-54 - website page
21) The National Archives - Weymouth and Portland Area: East Weare: "A" Battery - WO 78/5089 - declassified plans/drawings - 1903-14 - website page
22) The National Archives - Weymouth Portland Defences Battery. East Weir - WO 78/4170 - declassified plans/drawings - 1886 - website page
23) The Portland Naval Base, Dorset K/428 - Keystone (Historic Buildings Consultants) - Volumes 1 and 2 - 1993 - report
24) Weymouth and Portland Borough Council - Draft Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland - Appendix B - PDF document
25) Wikipedia - Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom - website page
26) YouTube - The Thursday War - 1989 Trident Production and BBC Documentary - website video
A and B Batteries are often referred to as Forbidden City by local residents and urban explorers. After they were decommissioned as a coastal defence in 1954, these two sections were used as a Disaster Relief Exercise site (DISTEX) as part of the Royal Navy's Flag Officer Sea Training, which was based at Portland from 1958 to 1995. Above A and B Batteries is the now-Grade II listed East Weare Camp, which was built in c. 1866-69 as a military provost prison. Both East Weare Batteries and the camp are the property of Portland Port Ltd and have not been opened to the public.
History
Construction of batteries and 19th century use
In the mid-19th century, the government approved plans for the transformation of Portland Roads into a harbour of refuge with the building of two breakwater arms. The commissioning of the harbour was prompted by concerns over the security of the English Channel, fears of a French invasion and the development of Cherbourg Harbour. In order to protect the new harbour, which began to be increasingly used by the Royal Navy, a number of defences and fortifications were constructed, including the Verne Citadel and its associated series of batteries at East Weare.
Owing to the latest tensions with France and the perceived urgency for some form of defence for the new harbour of refuge at Portland, earthen batteries of a temporary nature were established at East Weare in 1859. The 1860 report of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom recorded that "several batteries on the eastern side of the Verne Hill are already constructed". There were four positions to the west of the Admiralty Incline Railway and two to the east. In 1861, a number of Armstrong guns arrived at the batteries but were never mounted. The Weymouth, Portland, and Dorchester Telegram reported in September 1861 that the batteries "have their guns in, though not mounted, and their shot and shell in store", adding that, "They only want powder to be ready for instant action, and this necessary could be given to them from the guardship Colossus in a single hour, if wanted."
These temporary batteries were soon demolished to make way for the permanent works. Convicts carried out preliminary work to prepare the ground at East Weare over the course of 1860-61, which included excavating, levelling and trenching work, as well as blowing up discarded boulders from past quarrying, creating earthworks and laying some roadways. Messrs Jay and Co of London were contracted to construct a "new barrack, magazine, and stores at East Weare" and the foundation stone was laid by Lieutenant Wynne of the Royal Engineers on 6 January 1862. However, during the early stages of the work, difficulties were frequently met as a result of the unstable site, which was prone to landslips, and the general area was also found to require draining.
Although this additional preliminary work was largely successful, instability remained an issue in certain areas and the decision was later made to reduce the number of batteries from eight to six, with the two batteries on the east side of the Admiralty Incline being abandoned after further land slippage. In addition to the use of civilian contractors, convict labour continued to be used extensively at the site. The convicts created much of the required earthworks and constructed magazines for B and C Batteries. Messrs Jay & Co of London constructed the main magazine at A Battery for £2,553.
Four sections (A, B, C and D Batteries), which were built over the earlier temporary positions, were reported as nearing completion in 1868. By this time, the intended armament across all six batteries was twenty-seven 9-inch RML guns. Construction of E and F Batteries had not been started on account of land stability concerns; a slip had occurred in that region in late 1864, resulting in their construction being postponed. Work commenced on E Battery in late 1868 and it was completed around 1870. Meanwhile, the land stability issue for the site of F Battery remained and the decision was made not to construct it. The battery was probably intended to hold seven emplacements, similar to that of A Battery.
A Commissioner report published in 1869 described the works at East Weare as "open earthen batteries with embrasures", and praised them as "well designed and well executed both as regards permanency and stability, and their power offensive and defensive against an enemy." However, owing to the constant advancements in coastal defence, weapons technology and the storage of shells, modifications would be made to the batteries during the 1870s. In 1871, a proposal was approved to install seven 10-inch RMLs across the five batteries, rather than have them armed solely with 9-inch RMLs.
By 1874, all thirteen 9-inch RMLs guns had been installed at East Weare. As the batteries were considered part of the Verne Citadel's outworks, most gunners and personnel were accommodated at the Verne, although quarters were erected on the hillside west of B Battery for the resident gunners. In order to provide direct access between the Verne and batteries, convicts excavated a deep cutting on the south-east side of the citadel in 1872-73, which formed a communication tunnel leading to a sally port. From there, a zigzag path led down to the batteries.
"Extensive alterations and additions" were carried out between 1875-78 to modernise the batteries. New emplacements were built for the approved 10-inch RMLs and they were installed during the same period. The original emplacements, which had the guns firing through embrasures, were updated to the latest barbette form. In 1875-81, a lengthy sea wall was built from Balaclava Bay towards King's Pier in the attempt to prevent future landslips which would potentially damage the batteries. During the same period, a surface water drainage system was put in place around the batteries, and a large hollow below D and E batteries was infilled as additional measures.
In c. 1887-88, the two centre emplacements at C Battery were altered to change their shape (to circular) and depth, and the latest RML pivots were installed in both. In 1891-92, alteration work was carried out at A and B Batteries, which saw their armament replaced with four and two 10-inch RML guns respectively. The guns, three of which were transferred from the Nothe Fort, were landed near Portland Castle in 1892 and taken to the batteries using a traction engine belonging to the stone merchant and quarry owner Mr. F. J. Barnes.
Modernisation and decommissioning of C, D and E Batteries (1897-1903)
The rapid advancements in warfare and weapon technology led to the decision to update A and B Batteries in the late 1890s to accommodate the superior breech-loading (BL) gun. As the modernisation scheme meant that far fewer guns would be required, C, D and E Batteries were to be decommissioned. The local firm Messrs Jesty and Baker carried out the reconstruction and modernisation of the two batteries. Work commenced on A Battery in 1899 and on B Battery the following year. Both batteries were completed in 1901, allowing A to hold two 9.2-inch BL Mark X guns and B three 6-inch BL Mark VII guns. The work on A Battery cost £8,721 and B Battery £7,196.
The three 6-inch BL guns were installed during 1901, with one of the guns being delivered to the battery by one of Mr. Barne's traction engines on 21 June 1901. After arriving to Castletown by boat, the two 9.2-inch BL guns were delivered to A Battery in May 1902, with the first gun arriving on 13 May and the second around 15 May. Each gun was hauled by two traction engines belonging to Messrs Bagg and Son. The bridge over the Merchant's Incline was shored up by Messrs Jesty and Baker to support their weight. The delivery of the second gun met some difficulty on its journey after it gave way to an oncoming traction engine and the wheels of its carriage sank into the ground up to its axle. A jack was required to free the carriage which delayed the journey by a number of hours.
E Battery was the first to be decommissioned at East Weare in c. 1897 and the two 9-inch RMLs at C Battery were removed around the same time. The two 10-inch RMLs at C Battery and the two 9-inch and one 10-inch RMLs at D Battery were all removed in 1903. In 1903-05, a practice battery was constructed above A and B Batteries for use by the Volunteers.
Early 20th century, World War I and inter-war use
In c. 1905, A, B and C Batteries were enclosed with an unclimbable steel fence. Seven block houses were also built at various points around the perimeter and these were manned by infantry to protect the site against land attack. In c. 1907, two defence electric light emplacements were built near Balaclava Bay to house fighting lights to assist A Battery's guns at night. The associated engine room and oil store was built next to the magazine of C Battery. In 1909, a new shelter for 38 men, and including an ablution room, was built near B Battery.
A battery command post and electric light defence station building was constructed close to East Weare Camp for £321 in 1912-13 to serve A-B batteries. The new building replaced an earlier BC Post and telephone room situated nearby. The War Office handed over D Battery to the Royal Navy in 1915, who used the magazine for storing explosives. The 6-inch BL guns of B Battery and one of their carriages were temporarily withdrawn in 1916 but ultimately never returned. Meanwhile, the two defence electric lights were removed in c. 1927.
World War II
East Weare returned to full time occupation from 6 July 1940 and was manned by personnel of 102 Battery of the 522nd (Dorsetshire) Coast Regiment RA over the course of World War II. After the fall of France in 1940, Portland Harbour became a vulnerable target for Luftwaffe attacks and naval use of the harbour had to be reduced during the early years of the war. In turn, the area's fortifications had the primary role of preventing enemy shipping from landing troops and equipment, either in the harbour or on nearby beaches. The defence of the harbour itself became secondary.
Two new searchlights were installed in the existing emplacements near Balaclava Bay and a new engine room was erected in their vicinity. Anti-aircraft defence was provided by a twin-mounted light machine gun in the region of A Battery. A reserve AA position was located on the hillside behind B Battery and there were two reserve machine guns on site. As part of anti-invasion measures in 1940, the existing block houses around the battery perimeter continued to provide protection as pillboxes, while three trenches were excavated to the south of A Battery and a nearby machine gun post was added. In early 1941, one of the battery's 9.2-inch BL guns was removed and replaced with a new piece.
In 1940, twelve Nissen huts were erected around the region of A Battery to provide accommodation and other facilities. Eight of these huts formed as sleeping quarters for 12 men each. In 1941, three additional huts were erected, two of which provided further sleeping quarters, with all ten sleeping quarter huts now to hold 14 men each. Meanwhile, the pre-existing buildings on site were given a variety of new functions from stores and offices to messes and further accommodation. The former B Battery held various stores at ground level as well as sergeants' quarters and the warrant officer's quarters. Its emplacements were also roofed over at some stage. The former resident gunners' quarters on the hillside above B Battery formed the officers' quarters. Six of the Nissen huts were demolished in mid-1941 and a permanent barrack block of brick was built behind B Battery in 1941-42.
Post war use, 1954 decommissioning and subsequent use
On 25 July 1947, the War Office formally handed over most of their land and buildings at East Weare to the Admiralty. The same year saw the two 9.2-inch BL guns removed except for their mountings and the ammunition in the magazine moved to the Nothe Fort. However, as East Weare continued to be considered a coastal defence, albeit under care and maintenance, a group of essential buildings and structures were retained by the War Office, including the FC post, gun stores (formerly the defence officers' room), battery observation post, CASL directing station and the two 9.2-inch BL gun emplacements. In June 1950, a CA No. 2 Mk. 1/1 radar was installed at the site and remained there until May 1954. It was used by the new seaward defence headquarters (SDHQ), established at HMS Osprey in 1950-51.
In 1954, the mountings and remaining equipment for the 9.2-inch BL guns were sold to a contractor for salvage. Messrs. Cox & Danks of Cardiff were given the contract and they sub-contracted the work to Messrs. Thompson Bros of Cardiff. The work was carried out from 23 February to 27 May 1954. Meanwhile, any equipment and other assets deemed to have value were taken to the Nothe Fort. With confirmation from HQ 102 Coast Brigade RA (TA) that East Weare was no longer required as a coastal artillery site, the War Office formally handed back the final parts of the site to the Admiralty on 22 September 1954.
Following the handover, the former A and B Batteries were primarily used for storage by the Royal Navy. From the 1970s, they were given a new role as a Disaster Relief Exercise (DISTEX) site, which formed part of the Flag Officer Sea Training programme. This programme, established at Portland in 1958, was responsible for ensuring all Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels were fit to join the operational fleet by testing the crew's readiness through a series of drills and exercises, including war-fighting scenarios and emergencies. The DISTEX site was regularly used for disaster relief training and included handling fires and providing aid to 'wounded' civilians. Aside from Royal Navy vessels, the navies of other NATO countries would also take part in the programme.
Portland Port Ltd became the new owners of the batteries in 1996, following the closure of HM Naval Base Portland. That year, The Independent reported the port's plans for the possible renovation of historic coastal fortifications in the area, but no such work has come to fruition. During the 2000s, A and B Batteries were used for a short period as a site for Airsoft combat.
Condition
Having been used for fire training as part of the DISTEX site, A and B Batteries' emplacements have suffered fire damage. C Battery has suffered from some erosion but remains intact. In 1996, D Battery was cleared of undergrowth and earth filling, but has since become completely obscured again. A to D Batteries remain enclosed in the port's fencing, though the site has often been subject to trespassing. E Battery is regularly accessed but has been a victim of vandalism as a result. In recent years, it has been listed on Historic England's "Heritage at Risk" register, with the condition being described as "unsatisfactory with major localised problems". The main vulnerability aspect of the site is scrub/tree overgrowth and it has been noted that the overall condition has been declining.
Some features of the battery have been demolished over the years. The fire commander's post, which controlled and had communication with all of Portland's coastal defences, was demolished in c. 1990. Three of the seven block houses surrounding the batteries are known to have been demolished since 1996. Both of the battery's defence electric light emplacements have been demolished; one shortly after World War II and the other in c. 2007.
E Battery has been a scheduled monument since 1973 and was also awarded Grade II listed status in May 1993. Both A and C Batteries became Grade II listed in February 2018. Some of the reasons for their designation included the "architectural detailing and use of good quality Portland stone", their "important role in British naval history" and their group value as "part of a naval base of considerable importance".
Access
All five batteries and East Weare Camp are owned by Portland Port Ltd, but remain closed to the public, with the site becoming overgrown and increasingly dilapidated.
When Portland Port Ltd took over the site, it was believed by some that the batteries would be opened to the public. In a 1994 report by Drivers Jonas for the Portland Harbour Consortium on the potential future use of the harbour after the closure of HMNB Portland, it was identified that paths and nature trails could be created around the batteries. It was noted that "interpretation facilities" could highlight the area's geology, wildlife and military history, thereby creating a "positive asset for tourism on the Isle", although "some of the disused and derelict structures in this area would need to be made safe to allow the public unlimited access".
Geoff Kirby, on his Exploring Portland website, noted that East Weare Batteries would be "a sure-fire tourist attraction if opened but the cost of making the old buildings safe would be very high." He also commented that the site, including the camp, was "being neglected and allowed to rot away, and buildings of undoubted historical interest are falling apart". In his 1998 book Discover Dorset: Portland, local historian Stuart Morris noted that the batteries "await discovery by the next generation of tourists".
Appendix B of the 2013-14 Draft Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland stated: "Several of the extant gun batteries and Victorian defensive buildings above Portland Port in East Weares are omitted from the scheduled ancient monuments and statutory listings. This should be remedied before further damage or destruction occurs, and every effort should be made to restore them and open them up for public access."
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) British Film Institute - The Thursday War [10/03/89] (1989) - website page
2) Discover Dorset: Portland - Stuart Morris - Dovecote Press - 1998 - ISBN: 978-1874336495 - page 63 - book
3) Exploring Portland - "No Man's Land" - Geoff Kirby - website page
4) Exploring Portland - Portland Port, Naval Cemetery and a Gun Battery - Geoff Kirby - website page
5) Historic England - Heritage at Risk Register - Battery 200 yards (180 metres) east of the Naval cemetery, Portland - website page
6) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - Battery 200yds (180m) E of the Naval cemetery - website page
7) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - Battery approximately 160m NE of East Weare Camp - website page
8) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - Battery approximately 80m SE of East Weare Camp - website page
9) Historic England - The National Heritage List for England - East Weare Batteries at SY 694 741 - website page
10) Pastscape - East Weare Battery - website page
11) Pastscape - East Weare Battery #2 - website page
12) Portland Harbour and its Defences Report - anonymous author - undated - pages 39-41
13) Portland Harbour Consortium - Portland Harbour Study - Drivers Jonas - January 1994 - final report
14) Report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the construction, condition, and cost of the fortifications, erected, or in course of erection, under 30th & 31st vict., and previous statutes - 1869 - report
15) Report of the Directors of Convict Prisons - Portland Prison - Extracts from the Governor's report for the years 1872 and 1873
16) Report of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom - 1860 - report
17) The British Newspaper Archive - various contemporary newspaper articles - website page
18) The Coastal Defences of Portland and Weymouth - E. A. Andrews and M. L. Pinsent - 1981 - supplement to the journal Fort (Fortress Study Group) - report
19) The Independent - Portland's naval history ends as last warship sails - Will Bennet - July 1995 - website page
20) The National Archives - Portland: East Weare Battery - WO 192/304 - fort record book - 1940-54 - website page
21) The National Archives - Weymouth and Portland Area: East Weare: "A" Battery - WO 78/5089 - declassified plans/drawings - 1903-14 - website page
22) The National Archives - Weymouth Portland Defences Battery. East Weir - WO 78/4170 - declassified plans/drawings - 1886 - website page
23) The Portland Naval Base, Dorset K/428 - Keystone (Historic Buildings Consultants) - Volumes 1 and 2 - 1993 - report
24) Weymouth and Portland Borough Council - Draft Appraisal of the Conservation Areas of Portland - Appendix B - PDF document
25) Wikipedia - Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom - website page
26) YouTube - The Thursday War - 1989 Trident Production and BBC Documentary - website video
Gallery
These images can be enlarged by clicking on them. Some images have information attached to them, and to view this you can either enlarge the image or hover the mouse over each thumbnail.
Batteries A to E from the Verne Citadel and East Cliff
Battery E
Plans
A selection of plans covering the five sections of East Weare Batteries, based on War Office drawings, dated 1886 and 1903 (National Archives - Ref: WO 78/4170 and WO 78/5089). The plans can be enlarged by clicking on them.
On the map below, the marker is set at B Battery, with A being to the south, C and D to the north and E to the north-west.