Fairy Cove Gun Battery Hartlepool

Cannons were first placed at this site around 1740 to protect the northern entrance to Hartlepool. In 1860, three new batteries were built in the immediate area: Lighthouse, Heugh and Fairy Cove. At the same time, barracks in the style of a small castle came up on the other side of Sea View Terrace. These have since been demolished and replaced by houses. Much of the original site has disappeared due to erosion of the cliffs and the construction of the boardwalk.

The site remained in military use in the 20th century and housed a small rangefinder for the new 6-inch batteries. The 4.5-inch naval gun that stands here today was used in dual coastal and anti-aircraft roles during World War II. It was one of 16 guns that stood in batteries around Hartlepool. It could fire 54lb high-explosive shells at a rate of 8 shells per minute.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Tom Norman
• https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1608584