Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Inner Pier Head Fort
Hob Uid: 1425459
Location : Dorset Portland
Grid Ref : SY7018074460
Summary : A coastal battery situated on the Inner Breakwater at Portland. It was constructed between 1859-1862 and comprised a gun floor and basement along with a magazine. In 1892 the battery mounted eight 64-pounder guns. By 1902 it was armed with two 12-pounder quick-firing (QF) guns for anti-torpedo craft defence. These guns were in use during the First World War, but were removed by 1919. A field visit in 1983 found the structure to be extant.
More information : Coast artillery battery. Victorian built fort, comprising gun floor and basement. Basement has magazine for storage of M.G rounds and 12pdr Q.F. gun shells. In use in both WW1 and WW2. Pier Head is 100ft in diameter. Listed Grade 2. Coastal battery. Breakwater still in reasonable condition. [information from 1963 aerial photographs]. Inner Breakwater Pier Head Battery, Portland.Coastal battery. (1) Inner Pier Head Fort located at SY 703 745. The fort was designed by the Admiralty in 1859, completed in 1862 and taken over by the War Office. Eight 64-pounder guns were mounted in 1892. By 1902 it was armed with two 12-pounder quick-firing (QF) guns for anti-torpedo craft defence. These guns were in use at the start of the First World War, but were removed by 1919. (2-3)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : The two databases developed by the Project can be searched on-line through the Archaeology Data Service at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/dob/index.cfm
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 176-181
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 6.1

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 271
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 6.2

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Constructed 1859-62
Monument End Date : 1862
Monument Start Date : 1859
Monument Type : Breakwater, Jetty, Coastal Battery, Magazine, Storehouse
Evidence : Structure, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : First World War
Display Date : First World War
Monument End Date : 1918
Monument Start Date : 1914
Monument Type : Coastal Battery
Evidence : Structure

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : S0011272
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 382003
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SY 77 SW 11
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-04-01
End Date : 2002-03-01

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 2008-01-01
End Date : 2009-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Inner Pier Head Fort