Eastney Battery East

Eastney Battery East, hidden near the Royal Marines Museum, was built in 1861 to reinforce Portsmouth’s defenses. Alongside Eastney Battery West, it protected Langstone Harbour and nearby waters.

Though smaller than Portsdown Hill’s forts, it had deep gorges, a thick loopholed wall, and a covered passage—partly removed in World War II. Its early armaments included 7-inch breech-loading guns, later upgraded to 6-inch hydro-pneumatic guns.

Artillery Volunteers initially manned the fort, replaced by the 1st City of London Artillery Volunteers in 1889. It saw no combat and was transferred to the Royal Navy in 1936.

Restoration efforts since 2009 have revived gun embrasures, with plans to install historical weaponry, including a Disappearing Gun from Hong Kong. The fort may eventually host local events.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Tim Sheerman-Chase