A Pier Head Battery

A Pier Head Battery lies 200 metres to the north of Breakwater Fort, covering the navigable channel into the anchorage.  Built in 1901 the battery mounted two 12-pdr QF guns on pedestal mounts, supported by one Maxime Machine Gun. A 6-inch BL Mark VII gun was mounted over one of the 12-pdr emplacements in 1910.  This emplacement has now been built over.  A new 12-pdr battery with two guns was built adjacent to the Pier Head at the same time as the 6-inch BL gun emplacement was constructed.

Most of the Victorian structures have been demolished or built over. During World War 6-pdr QF guns were mounted in the old 12-pdr emplacements. A  twin 6-pdr with control tower was built over the adjacent battery with two 12-pdr guns.

BACKGROUND NOTES ON THE BREAKWATERS

The first breakwater to protect the Portland anchorage was built 1849 to 1872.  The two breakwaters on the east side were completed in 1905.  In 1904 plans had already been drawn up for Quick Fire Batteries to cover the navigable channels into the anchorage through the breakwaters.  These three new batteries would replace the temporary platforms used during the earlier construction phase.  The three Pier Head Batteries were completed by 1905, all armed with two 12-pdr QF guns and a Maxim Machine Gun. These were designate A, B and C Pier Head Batteries.

Before these plans had been fully implemented, it was proposed two mount four 6-inch Mark VII BL guns at Breakwater Fort, two on the roof and two in the original casemates.  The two on the roof were mounted in 1909.  It was decided to mount the two guns, proposed for the old casemates, to be mount on the Breakwaters.  A single 6-inch BL gun was therefore mounted at B and C Pier Heads in one of the 12-pdr emplacements.  To compensate for the loss of the 12-pdr gun, two additional 12-pdr QF positions were built adjacent to B and C Pier Heads.  This work was all completed by 1910.

Searchlights were also installed by 1905.  These were located at:

Two fixed Defence Electric Lights in the centre of the North Breakwater

Three fixed Defence Electric Lights at Breakwater Fort

Two fixed Defence Electric Lights on the Outer (southern) Breakwater

The Pier Head Batteries were disarmed in the interwar years.  During World War II the 12-pdr were replaced, and twin 6-pdr QF guns added in 1944, one on A Pier Head sand one on B Pier Head.  Additional Electric Light emplacements were also added.