Report - Verne High Angle Battery, Portland, Febuary 2017

[Kirkymole]

Visited with @Bertie Bollockbrains, and the chilling wind.

The Verne High Angle Battery was built in 1892 to house 6 guns, their purpose being to fire heavy shells at a very high angle with the intention of them hitting the vulnerable (in comparison to the side) decks of ships. The guns could turn 360 degrees and were supplied by a miniature railway, fed by the two underground bomb stores, which loaded the muzzle loading guns directly. The earth mound in the centre of the battery conceals a laboratory and ammunition stores. Behind this are two stores buildings. The battery was in a state of abandonment by 1907.

The grassy mounds around the battery host a colourful array of flowers and wildlife if that's your sort of thing.

It's such a shame to see this place being neglected when it's such a key part of the islands defenses and the history surrounding the Isle.

 

[Bertie Bollockbrains]

The grassy mounds around the battery host a colourful array of flowers and wildlife if that's your sort of thing.

I've seen the silver-studded blue here which is a rare butterfly restricted to just a few sites in the south, similar to the common blue but lacking the green spots seen on the underside of that species blah blah blah waffle waffle. I may have told you that at the time. Am I turning boring now?

 

[xexxa]

It's such a shame to see this place being neglected when it's such a key part of the islands defenses and the history surrounding the Isle.

Shame it was ever built I say. Portland has to be the most depressing place I've ever had the displeasure of visiting

 

[Kirkymole]

I've seen the silver-studded blue here which is a rare butterfly restricted to just a few sites in the south, similar to the common blue but lacking the green spots seen on the underside of that species blah blah blah waffle waffle. I may have told you that at the time. Am I turning boring now?

I'm not totally against a bit of wildlife watching at all, quite enjoy seeing it all!

Can't be any worse than trainspotting, like we agreed

 

[Kirkymole]

It's such a shame to see this place being neglected when it's such a key part of the islands defenses and the history surrounding the Isle.

Shame it was ever built I say. Portland has to be the most depressing place I've ever had the displeasure of visiting

It certainly could do with some money spent on it, looks very run down and depressed. Which is weird when you consider the tourism and government presence on it which brings work in.