2016

NJ9605 : Torry Battery

taken 8 years ago, near to Torry, Aberdeen, Scotland

This is 1 of 7 images, with title Torry Battery in this square
Torry Battery
Torry Battery
General view from the south-east.

'In 1858 agreement was reached to build coastal batteries on the beach and on Torry Point, in part against the background of the perceived threat of Napoleon III of France. Construction of the Torry Point Battery began in 1859 and was completed in March 1861. It was to be manned by a unit of the new volunteer defence forces, the 1st Aberdeenshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) being formed for the purpose on 24 October 1860. The battery was initially armed with nine heavy guns (six 68-pounders and three 10-inch shell guns) but in September 1861 two 200-pound Armstrong guns (the heaviest of the day) were added. Drill formally began the same month.

In 1895 the battery was partially dismantled, the guns and mountings being returned to store in Leith. The battery remained in use for volunteer training until 1904 when it was reconstructed, two new 6-inch mark VII guns on CP mark II mountings being installed. This work took two years, at a cost of £5640. The battery was permanently occupied during both world wars, and retained its guns throughout the interwar period, when it was also used as temporary accommodation during periods of housing shortage.

During the Second World War, the battery was manned by army and Home Guard personnel of various units. The guns were given concrete overhead protection against air attack, while anti-aircraft gins and searchlights were also installed, while a combined military and naval plotting room was constructed in 1943. The heavy guns were used just once, against two vessels later found to be friendly, on the night of 3 June 1941, while the machine guns of the battery engaged an enemy aircraft later in the same year.

Between 1945 and 1953, the battery was again used as temporary accommodation. The guns were removed in 1956 and the battery fell into disrepair. Demolition was proposed, as was conversion into a hotel, but neither scheme was implemented. Comprehensive renovation works were carried out in the early 1970's, a car park being laid out and the retaining walls reinstated. The battery and surrounding area are of considerable ornithological interest.'

(Information from Aberdeen City Council)

Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Bill Harrison and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Coastal Historic sites and artefacts Derelict, Disused Defence, Military Building Material: Granite other tags: Coastal Battery Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Torry Battery [31] · Torry Point Battery [10] · Beach [9] · Car Park [5] Title Clusters: · Torry Battery [7] ·
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Grid Square
NJ9605, 176 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Bill Harrison   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Saturday, 16 April, 2016   (more nearby)
Submitted
Saturday, 22 October, 2016
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NJ 9651 0562 [10m precision]
WGS84: 57:8.4878N 2:3.5582W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! NJ 9656 0561
View Direction
West-northwest (about 292 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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