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Summary

Battery originally built in 1779 and manned until 1783. It was reactivated in 1794 and decommissioned in 1817. The site was used by Artillery Volunteers in the mid-late 19th century. The area was extensively remodelled in the 1940s but the most likely site of the battery in a semi circular platform in front of one of the 1940s batteries.

Location

Protected Status

• Scheduled Monument 1020411: World War II Emergency Coastal Battery and remains of a Victorian practice battery, at Battery Gardens

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX95NW/93/1
• Tide Project: 16/04/2021

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• COASTAL BATTERY (Built, XVIII - 1779 AD to 1779 AD)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Gun shed marked.

Ordnance Survey, 1933, 122SW (Cartographic). SDV316035.

Battery Ground marked.

Evans, D., 1986, The History of the Berry Head Fortifications, 12,13 (Un-published). SDV362495.

Pye, A.R., 1989, Berry Head Fort, Brixham. An Archaeological Assessment, 1, 5, 11, 35 + figs (Report - Assessment). SDV362497.

Five gun battery built in 1779-80. One of three batteries built to defend the Torbay anchorage. Depicted on the Ordnance Surveyors sketch of 1803-4. Dismantled in 1817.

Pye, A.R., 1989, Berry Head Fort, Brixham. An Archaeological Assessment, 3, 26 + figs (Report - Assessment). SDV362497.

Fishcombe Point Battery. Located in the present Battery Gardens. Built 1779-80 and 1794-5. There are no obvious remnants remain since the area was extensively remodelled in the 1940s when heavy batteries (Brixham Fort) were built into the hillside. The most likely site is a semi circular platform at the front of one of these 1940s batteries which has the remnants of a low bank around its north side. No evidence of gun platforms or limestone parapet has been found. In 1780-83 its armament was five 20 or 24-pounder cannon, and in 1795-1817 5 24 or 32-pounders. Although there were emplacements for 5 guns, in 1811 only 4 were in place.

Phil Newman, 2001, Battery Gardens, Brixham, Devon: An Archaeological Survey, 2-3, Pl. 2 (Report - Survey). SDV362290.

The batteries at the Berry Head Forts were dismantled in 1817; it is unclear whether Fishcombe was similarly dismantled or what use it was put to over the next 30-35 years. An Admiralty chart surveyed in 1852 and published in 1857 marks a 'Practice Battery' at Fishcombe Cove; gun drill is reported there in 1860. Local artillery volunteers were drilling with a 32 lb SB and a 64 lb gun in 1892. Remnants of the racers of the mid-19th century practice guns are still visible, the rear one partially obscured by a modern concrete bench.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV316035	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1933. 122SW. 6 inch Provisional Edition. Map (Paper).
SDV336179	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1880-1899. First Edition Ordnance 25 inch map. First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #129772 ]
SDV362290	Report - Survey: Phil Newman. 2001. Battery Gardens, Brixham, Devon: An Archaeological Survey. 2-3, Pl. 2.
SDV362495	Un-published: Evans, D.. 1986. The History of the Berry Head Fortifications. . Manuscript. 12,13.
SDV362497	Report - Assessment: Pye, A.R.. 1989. Berry Head Fort, Brixham. An Archaeological Assessment. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit. EMAFU 89.04. Hardcopy + Digital. 1, 5, 11, 35 + figs.
	Linked documents:1

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7848 - Archaeological Survey by Phil Newman - May 2001

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