haybaggerman Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Hi I'm on holiday on the IOW at the moment (going to the tank museum tomorrow hopefully), and stumbled across the mortar emplacements at Puckpool Park in Ryde. There is alot there and as always, these things raise more questions than they answer. Has anyone got any info on them or photos perhaps? Thanks Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Signals Posted May 26, 2010 Share Posted May 26, 2010 Hi Has anyone got any info on them .... perhaps? Thanks Paul Construction work begun in 1863, completed in 1865 at a cost of (£67,000?). Primarily large calibre mortars as these were just becoming seen as being effective anti shipping weapons. Lots of changes proposed and made, altered etc in its early years. Initially equipped with twenty-one 13inch mortars with prepared platforms for eleven light guns. Changed in 1867 to thirty eight mortars and just five guns. 1868 thirty mortars, four 12inch 25ton guns and one 7inch Armstrong gun. In the 1880's the right hand emplacement was modified to accept an Armstrong barbette mounting and traces of the arrangment survive. In 1898- 1900 the gun emplacements were reworked to take one 10inch breech loader, two 9inch BL's and two 6 inch BL's. I've not been to the site myself but from looking at Google Earth I suspect these are what survive. The mortars would be on the flat area behind them, now partly covered with buildings. Re-occupied for use in 1939 initially as HMS Medina (Fleet Air Arm) then later as HQ of 99th Field Reg RA. Continued in use until 1950. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haybaggerman Posted May 27, 2010 Author Share Posted May 27, 2010 Thanks for the reply, it goes back further than I thought in history. Been to the IOW museum this afternoon, they are the friendliest and most easy going lot I have visited I think, and lots of nice toys too, including some really good restoration work going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 Im here as well Paul with the family! We are staying about 1/2 mile up the road from that. Was going to have a look at that some point this week. (Wasnt the weather s**t today?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haybaggerman Posted May 30, 2010 Author Share Posted May 30, 2010 Hi Rick I travelled back to Devon yesterday, the weather got worse the further west I went. If you are on the doorstep its definitely worth a look, its on a nice bit of beach too Cheers Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.