Pillbox at SY 69464 74694 (Coaling Pier #1)
As part of the World War II defences for HM Naval Base Portland at Portland Harbour, a number of structures were constructed both within the dockyard area and on the four breakwater arms of the harbour, while other 19th and 20th century structures were also put into use. On the northern edge of the harbour's Coaling Pier, which itself had been built in the 1900s, there are two World War II pillboxes of identical naval design. They would have been constructed during 1940 as a part of British anti-invasion preparations, at a time when the German's invasion plan, Operation Sea Lion, was considered a major threat.
The pillboxes are rectangular in shape, and built of red brick, with concrete roofs. The structures have all-round visibility through four embrasures, while the entrance of each is situated on the eastern side. Both pillboxes are nestled among stone boulders piled along the edge of the pier. During the late 20th century, a Deep Water Berth was added to the Coaling Pier, which obstructed the original open, seaward view of the two pillboxes.
At the time of inspection, in March 2015, the eastern-most pillbox remains in better condition than its contemporary further west, though both show signs of exterior damage. There is some notable damage to the eastern-most corner embrasure, with the loss of some brickwork directly above the opening. The corner of the roof above this embrasure has some cracks forming too, while the entrance to the pillbox is largely blocked by a stone boulder.
The pillboxes are rectangular in shape, and built of red brick, with concrete roofs. The structures have all-round visibility through four embrasures, while the entrance of each is situated on the eastern side. Both pillboxes are nestled among stone boulders piled along the edge of the pier. During the late 20th century, a Deep Water Berth was added to the Coaling Pier, which obstructed the original open, seaward view of the two pillboxes.
At the time of inspection, in March 2015, the eastern-most pillbox remains in better condition than its contemporary further west, though both show signs of exterior damage. There is some notable damage to the eastern-most corner embrasure, with the loss of some brickwork directly above the opening. The corner of the roof above this embrasure has some cracks forming too, while the entrance to the pillbox is largely blocked by a stone boulder.
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