During a family trip back in April we visited The Needles Old Battery, which is a National Trust Property open to the public most days. Whilst there you see things like this...
In the exhibition room I discovered this cut-away model.
Which informed me of sea-level tunnels that are not open to the public. A plan was immediately hatched!
Looking around I discovered that a lift shaft led to those sea-level tunnels
It was easy to find the top of the lift shaft but capped and not accessible
But really I needed to come back in the summer and on the lowest possible spring tide and walk to those sea-level tunnels. Research told me that this was possible and a report dated May 2016 is on this very website by member @b3n
HISTORY
A battery was proposed for this site in 1855, to mount six guns to cover Alum bay to the north. The Needles Battery, later referred to as the Old Needles Battery, to distinguish it from a newer battery built nearby, was constructed as part of the Royal Commission defences of the Needles Passage. It is built on the projecting point of the chalk ridge above the Needles Rocks at an elevation of 254feet above sea level. The height of the battery protected it from potential counter-fire. It was designed for six guns, initially with 7-inch R.B.L. guns which were replaced with 9-inch R.M.L. guns by 1898.
The gorge of the fort is closed with a ditch cut through the chalk of the narrow ridge. Access to the fort was over a rolling bridge. The other sides are protected by chalk cliffs. It had accomodation for 1 officer, 2 NCOs and 21 men. The battery was only to be garrisoned in times of need.
In 1885 a tunnel was cut from the parade ground towards the Needles and is accessible today to the public within the National Trust property. By 1887 a lift shaft was dug to the sea level and five emplacements were built into the north cliff face for guns to counter torpedo boats.
The battery was soon considered obsolete and a new battery was built nearby 1893-5. The six 9-inch guns were in place until 1903 when they were removed by throwing them off the cliff. All have since been recovered.
The battery was reactivated during World War Two with a sentry beam fitted into the cliff emplacement at the end of the tunnel dug from the parade ground. Radar was installed in 1944. Armament consisted of a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun and a 40mm Bofors.
The battery was mothballed in 1945 and bought by the National Trust in 1975.
REPORT
Catching the spring low-tide meant I had to begin my walk to the tunnels at 3.30 in the morning. Access involves walking for about a kilometre over slippery tidal rocks and made more complicated by the fact that I didnt want to use a torch in the dark as this could had initiated a coastguard call-out (it has happened here). Retreat to higher ground, if needed, would be difficult. The sun was just rising as I reached the tunnels.
Firstly I wanted to catch up on sleep and soon found a sleeping space in a WW2 searchlight emplacement. The plan was to spend 12 hours in the tunnels and return on the late-afternoon low tide.
After my sleep, time to explore. Starting at the entrance...
And a closer look at the WW2 searchlight position
Historical graffiti, I think that says 1916
The tunnels were infested with silverfish bugs (Lepisma saccharina)
More historical graffiti
The tunnel leading to the lift shaft
In the exhibition room I discovered this cut-away model.
Which informed me of sea-level tunnels that are not open to the public. A plan was immediately hatched!
Looking around I discovered that a lift shaft led to those sea-level tunnels
It was easy to find the top of the lift shaft but capped and not accessible
But really I needed to come back in the summer and on the lowest possible spring tide and walk to those sea-level tunnels. Research told me that this was possible and a report dated May 2016 is on this very website by member @b3n
HISTORY
A battery was proposed for this site in 1855, to mount six guns to cover Alum bay to the north. The Needles Battery, later referred to as the Old Needles Battery, to distinguish it from a newer battery built nearby, was constructed as part of the Royal Commission defences of the Needles Passage. It is built on the projecting point of the chalk ridge above the Needles Rocks at an elevation of 254feet above sea level. The height of the battery protected it from potential counter-fire. It was designed for six guns, initially with 7-inch R.B.L. guns which were replaced with 9-inch R.M.L. guns by 1898.
The gorge of the fort is closed with a ditch cut through the chalk of the narrow ridge. Access to the fort was over a rolling bridge. The other sides are protected by chalk cliffs. It had accomodation for 1 officer, 2 NCOs and 21 men. The battery was only to be garrisoned in times of need.
In 1885 a tunnel was cut from the parade ground towards the Needles and is accessible today to the public within the National Trust property. By 1887 a lift shaft was dug to the sea level and five emplacements were built into the north cliff face for guns to counter torpedo boats.
The battery was soon considered obsolete and a new battery was built nearby 1893-5. The six 9-inch guns were in place until 1903 when they were removed by throwing them off the cliff. All have since been recovered.
The battery was reactivated during World War Two with a sentry beam fitted into the cliff emplacement at the end of the tunnel dug from the parade ground. Radar was installed in 1944. Armament consisted of a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun and a 40mm Bofors.
The battery was mothballed in 1945 and bought by the National Trust in 1975.
REPORT
Catching the spring low-tide meant I had to begin my walk to the tunnels at 3.30 in the morning. Access involves walking for about a kilometre over slippery tidal rocks and made more complicated by the fact that I didnt want to use a torch in the dark as this could had initiated a coastguard call-out (it has happened here). Retreat to higher ground, if needed, would be difficult. The sun was just rising as I reached the tunnels.
Firstly I wanted to catch up on sleep and soon found a sleeping space in a WW2 searchlight emplacement. The plan was to spend 12 hours in the tunnels and return on the late-afternoon low tide.
After my sleep, time to explore. Starting at the entrance...
And a closer look at the WW2 searchlight position
Historical graffiti, I think that says 1916
The tunnels were infested with silverfish bugs (Lepisma saccharina)
More historical graffiti
The tunnel leading to the lift shaft