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Summary

Carrick Mount Bastion was armed with two 12-pounder quick-firing guns in 1903, which remained in use throughout the two World Wars.

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 10552: PENDENNIS PENINSULA FORTIFICATIONS
• Conservation Area: FALMOUTH

Other References/Statuses

• Defence of Britain (Non Anti-invasion): 500
• Defence of Britain (Paper Reference): AH38
• National Monuments Record: SW 83 SW 266
• National Record of the Historic Environment to Historic Environment Records data transfer
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1411720
• Primary Record No. (1985-2009): 166144

Monument Type(s):

• BATTERY (20th Century - 1901 AD to 2000 AD)

Full description

Carrick Mount Bastion was built between 1901 and 1904 to counter the threat of MTBs and other small enemy vessels entering Falmouth Harbour. Originally armed with two 12pdr quick-fire gun emplacements, renamed 'No. 2', necessitating the destruction of the 56-pdr emplacement, the cavalier and the parapet and embrasures of the east face and south flank. It was resolved to enlarge the 'ready use' ammunition recesses in the new battery and alter the stores of the existing 12-pdr battery in East Bastion to accommodate the ammunition. It had its own magazine.

The work is of mass concrete with an earth covered sand apron in front of the two gun emplacements. A specification note on the proposal drawings for the battery requires 'the aprons of the emplacements to be coloured to assimilate with the natural surroundings'. Traces of reddish brown paint can still be found in expense lockers. A 10ft square artillery store was built serving the battery just to the south of the emplacement.

The Falmouth Defence Scheme, prepared in 1904, records two 12-pdr gunds mounted at Carrick Mount Bastion and in the approved armament providing the anti-motor torpedo defence and supporting the three 6in Mk VI hydropneumatic gunds to the south.

In 1905 the Commottee on the Armaments of Home Ports declared the 12-pdr armament superfluous. The guns remainined in 'care and maintenance' initially under 105 Company Royal Garrison Artillery, but with their departure in 1910 the role was assumed by No. 41 Company Royal Garrison Artillery stationed at Plymouth (1).


Currently 2 guns are mounted here for display purposes, a WW1 3-inch breech loader and a WW2 40mm Bofors gun (2).

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Site history:
1: 1996. A HARVEY
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Council for British Archaeology, 1995-2001, Defence of Britain Archive, 500 (Website). SCO9052.

Council for British Archaeology, 1995-2001, Defence of Britain Paper Archive (National Monument Record Archive). SCO29989.

<1> Linzey, R, 2000, Fortress Falmouth. An conservation plan for the historic defences of Falmouth Haven Vol II (2000), Site 1.4 (Report). SCO1563.

<2> Harvey, A, 1997 - 2001, Defence of Britain project archive, AH38 (Cornwall Archive). SCO9017.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• ECO455 - Fortress Falmouth
• ECO6310 - Defence of Britain Project

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Associated Images

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