EXPLORING PUCKPOOL BATTERY IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT BUILT 1864 DEFEND OFF THE FRENCH #exploring

#urbex #urbanexploration #abandoned #exploring EXPLORING PUCKPOOL BATTERY THE BATTERY IS LOCATED PUCKPOOL POINT CLOSE TO ST HELENS AND RYDE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT AND ONE OF PALMERSTONS FORTS BUILT TO PROTECT AGAINST A FRENCH INVASION. WORK ON THE BATTERY STARTED IN 1863 AND WAS OPEN BY MARCH 1864. IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD BE ARMED WITH 50 HEAVY MORTARS 13 IN SMOOTH BORE MORTAR. THIS WOULD PROVIDE A HIGH ANGLE PLINDGING EFFECT ONTO THE DECKS OF THE FRENCH WARSHIPS ENTERING THE SOLENT. TWO 10.4-INCH 28-TON RML ARMSTRONG PROTECTED BARBETTE WERE PUT FORWARD IN 1888 AND THEY WERE FITTED BY 1892 AND WERE THE ONLY GUNS OF THIS TYPE IN ENGLAND. THE BATTERY WAS MODERNISED IN IN 1901 WITH 2 9.2 INCH BREECH LOADING GUNS AND 2 6 INCH GUNS. IN 1927 THE BATTERY WAS DISARMED AND SOLD TO THE COUNCIL,AND THEN BROUGHT BACK INTO USE AS HMS MEDINA DURIND WW2 WITH THE FLEET AIR ARM. AFTER WW2 IT BECAME A PUBLIC SPACE TO THIS DAY AND IS NOW A SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENT. MUSIC BY Tides with You Tape Machines BATTERY