Summary
A concrete emplacement, originally built for searchlight apparatus of an experimental see-saw type. The searchlight was constructed at Fort Victoria in 1888 by the Royal Engineers to illuminate the minefield laid in the Solent protecting the approaches to the Royal Naval Dockyard at Portsmouth and the port of Southampton. Although the apparatus has been removed, the emplacement remains largely intact.
Reasons for Designation
The see-saw searchlight emplacement at Fort Victoria, constructed in 1888, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
History
Fort Victoria (Grade II, National Heritage List for Enfland (NHLE) entry 1209376) was constructed on the Isle of Wight between 1852 and 1855 to defend the Solent channel, which provided access to the Royal Dockyard at Portsmouth and the port at Southampton. In the late C19 the fort passed to No 22 Company, Royal Engineers who had responsibility for maintaining coastal minefields and manning the associated searchlights. Fort Victoria became the submarine mining depot covering the Solent channel. The main minefield under its control was laid between Hurst Castle and Cliff End.
Details
Experimental see-saw searchlight emplacement of 1888, constructed by the Royal Engineers as part of the submarine mining depot at Fort Victoria. The searchlight apparatus has been removed, but the concrete emplacement remains largely intact.
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
End of official list entry
