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The Needles Batteries were constructed between 1861-95
for coastal defence against a threat of invasion by
France. The Batteries are on the most westerly point of
the Isle of Wight and overlook one of Britain's most
famous coastal landmarks, the Needles. The Batteries
played an important role in the defence of southern
Britain during two world wars. Between 1956-71 the New
Battery was used by Saunders Roe for testing the Black
Knight and Black Arrow space rocket engines, prior to
the rockets being shipped to Woomera for launching. The
Batteries, and the surrounding downland, were acquired
by the National Trust in 1975 and after extensive
restoration work the Old Battery was opened to the
public in 1982. The surviving buildings are maintained
to a high standard by the National Trust and its team of
volunteer helpers.
Spectacular views of the Solent, Dorset and Hampshire
are visible from the ramparts, and the old searchlight
emplacement, at the end of a 65 metre tunnel, provides
the closest view of The Needles from land.
The fort was first armed with six 7" R.B.L.(Rifled
Breech Loader) guns, changed in 1872 to two 9"
R.M.L.(Rifled Muzzle Loader) and four 7" R.M.L. The
change to muzzle loading from breech loading was a
technology step backwards but military die-hards
favoured muzzle loading. In 1893 six 9" R.M.L. guns were
installed, these remained until 1903 when they were
disposed of by throwing them over the cliff. Eventually
all were recovered and two are in place at the Battery
on replica gun carriages. Other changes in fire power
took place during the Victorian period before the main
armaments were moved to the New Battery.
The fort was protected from land invasion by a deep
ditch cut through the chalk, access was gained by a
rolling bridge. On other sides the fort was protected by
the precipitous chalk cliffs which surround it. The
Battery had accommodation for one officer, 2 NCOs and
twenty-one men. As well as the barracks there were
buildings that housed a magazine, laboratory and stores;
water was supplied from rain-water tanks. The fort was
only to be garrisoned in times of need, the men living
in a barracks on the parade ground. In peacetime a
Master Gunner lived there to maintain it, whilst the
garrison gunners were billeted at Golden Hill Fort.
In 1885 a tunnel was dug from the parade ground towards
the Needles. By 1887 a lift shaft had been sunk from the
ditch to sea level and five Q.F (Quick Fire) guns were
installed to counter torpedo boats. Between 1890-92
experiments were carried out with searchlights, two
steam engines and a generator, installed in a room in
the ditch, provided the power source. In 1908 a Fire
Command Post was added for all the Needles defences and
in 1913 Britain's first AA (Anti-aircraft) gun, a 1
pounder Pom Pom, was installed in the parade ground and
tested by firing at a kite towed by a boat.
The fort was manned during the 1914-18 World War but
placed in care and maintenance until reactivation at the
commencement of the Second World War. In 1954 the fort
was placed in reserve until it became the property of
the National Trust.
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