The Needles Forgotten & Abandoned Sea Level Battery Isle of Wight

A battery was proposed for this site in 1855, to mount six 68prs to cover Alum Bay to the north. The Needles battery, later referred to as Old Needles Battery to distinguish it from the new battery built nearby, was constructed as part of the Royal Commission defences of the Needles Passage. It is a barbette battery built on the projecting point of the chalk ridge above the Needles Rocks, at an elevation of 254 feet above sea level. It commanded the narrow channel between the Needles Rocks and the Shingles, the edge of that shoal being a little more than 2,000 yards distant so that passing ships would be subjected to plunging fire upon their decks. The height of the battery protected it from potential counter-fire. It was designed for six guns, first being armed with 7-inch R.B.L. guns which were replaced with 9-inch R.M.L. guns, surplus from Hurst Castle, by 1898. The gorge of the fort is closed with a ditch cut through the chalk of the narrow ridge on which it stands. Access to the fort was over a rolling bridge.The other sides are protected by the precipitous chalk cliffs which surround it. It had accommodation for 1 officer, 2 NCOs and 21 men as well as the usual magazines, laboratory and stores. Water was supplied from rain-water tanks. The battery was only to be garrisoned in time of need, the men living in a barrack on the parade, now demolished. In peacetime a Master Gunner lived there to maintain it, whilst the garrison gunners lived in Golden Hill Fort.
In 1869-73 the gun emplacements were remodelled for two 9-inch and four 7-inch RMLs but in 1893 six 9-inch RMLs were installed. These were in place until 1903 when they were removed by throwing them over the cliff. All have now been recovered, two still in the fort on replica carriages. The other are scattered on the mainland. The battery was considered obsolete and a new one was built 1893-95 on the crest of the headland to replace it with three modern BL guns. In 1885 a tunnel was dug from the parade towards the Needles and a Submarine Mining Cell added.
By 1887 a lift shaft was dug from the ditch to sea level and five emplacements built into the north cliff face for QF guns to counter torpedo boats. Experiments were carried out with searchlights 1890-92. In 1908 a Fire Command Post for all of the Needles defences was added. In 1913 Britain's first AA gun, a 1pr. Pom Pom, was tested on the parade. The battery was reactivated in WWII with a sentry beam fitted into the cliff emplacement and a Radar installed in 1944. Armament then consisted of a 3-inch AA and a 40mm Bofors. The battery was mothballed in 1945 and was bought by the National Trust in 1975 who opened it to the public in 1982.
Info from;
www.victorianforts.co.uk

[@ajwalou-nack2343]

Since 1982 when I first sailed near the Needles I said to my wife that there was a mass of tunnels under that cliff . She never believed me . Thanks for sharing this .

[@wightmole4792]

Many thanks for the comment. Yes, there are quite a few in the cliff, but it is very dangerous to access.

[@nicholasbell9017]

This place must be hard to access. So much stuff down there still intact, and no rubbish or recent spraycan graffiti. Amazing! Thanks

[@wightmole4792]

Thanks for the comment. This is one reason why it's still in great condition, is the access, it's not easy, and dangerous.

[@brucebisbey9554]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

[@PamOrl]

“You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike.”

[@quitegonejim1125]

That was like cave diving in Skyrim!

[@UKWMO]

Interesting video, glad you found your way out ok.

[@wightmole4792]

Thanks for the comment. It's a bit of a maze, but easy when you go every year.

[@mansabad.sniper]

Last time I did this I stayed too long and nearly died on the miles long trip back along the cliff edge. If you do this go a hour before a 0.5m tide

[@wightmole4792]

Thanks for the comment. I wouldn't recommend anyone visiting this. However, I leave at least an hour, if not 2hrs before low. I have also stayed over a tide, inside. It was cool, but unnerving.

[@MrCrabbing]

That must be the power supply for the lighthouse

[@hollow34]

I think it's a lift shaft for when it's cut off by the tide.

[@wightmole4792]

Thanks for the comment. Well spotted . One of the cables is the power for the Lighthouse.

[@davidbarnett4483]

Lucky you did not get lost