Fort Bovisand

Fort Bovisand's granite casemates, originally built for 9-inch Rifled Muzzle Loading guns.

• 1816: A stone jetty and slip were built for boats from sailing warships anchored in Plymouth Sound to collect fresh water from the nearby reservoir.
• 1845: The first fort at the site, named Staddon Height Battery, was started, and still exists in the upper part of the present fort.[1]

Work started on the main part of the fort in 1861. Originally intended to have two stories of casemates like Fort Picklecombe, the design was altered during construction to a single storey of 23 granite casemates with armoured shields. It was designed by Major (later Maj Gen) Whitworth Porter ,[2] and was built by George Baker and Company. The casemates were arranged in an arc and initially housed 22 9-inch Rifled Muzzle Loaders (RMLs) and one 10-inch RML gun, with accommodation for 180 men. Underground there are large deep tunnels to store artillery ammunition safe from enemy gunfire. It was completed in 1869.[3] By 1880 the armament included 14 10-inch and nine 9-inch RML guns. By 1893 it mounted 14 10 inch Rifled Muzzle Loading Guns, eight 9-inch Rifled Muzzle Loading (RML) guns and six 6 Pounder Quick Firing (QF) guns.[4] In 1898 Six 12-pounder quick-firing guns were installed. By the early 1900s the original armament was obsolete and was removed.

In 1942 the remaining four 12-pounders were replaced by two twin 6-pounders, to combat E-boats.[1] A three-storey observation tower to direct the fire of these was built at the same time. The following year a Bofors 40mm anti-aircraft gun was installed.

On the dissolution of coast artillery in 1956 the Ministry of Defence abandoned the fort. In 1970 a lease was granted and the fort was converted into a national commercial diving school and scuba diving centre.

• About the mid-1970s to at least the early 1990s: The fort at the top of the headland (above the coastal path) was used as a schools outdoor activity centre. The upper fort's magazine and various other buildings were converted to be used as basic bunk houses, kitchen and dining area. The cottage was used as a toilet and shower block and a lounge and staff accommodation.
• 2000: By then the main leaseholder — Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre — had liquidated, but other diving services continued trading. Months of argument continued about the status of the leases and viability of existing businesses based there.
• December 2000: Marine Contractors Ltd. (one of the main businesses based there, and one of the parties negotiating to take over the running of Fort Bovisand) went into receivership. As a result, the owners (the Ministry of Defence) decided it was no longer possible to keep the site functioning, and the remaining diving and other firms trading there ceased operations.
• 2003: Discovery Divers was set up.
• Mid-2005: After these businesses failed, the site was bought at auction by PowderCreek Ltd (now known as Fort Bovisand Developments Ltd), and company wholly owned by Greg Dyke, ex-Director General of the BBC, with the aim of saving the site and bringing it back to life.
• Mid 2008: Fort Bovisand was home to Discovery Divers.[5]
• 2011: After examining a number of options, the Fort Bovisand Trust was formed (a registered charitable body) to take forward proposals for a heritage attraction and a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Proposal were for a mixed scheme of the heritage centre, diving business, and some residential units.
• 2013: The Fort Bovisand Trust gained award of a development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to progress plans for a heritage visitor attraction and learning centre.

• Hogg, Ian V (1974). Coast Defences of England and Wales 1856-1956. David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153 6353-0.
• McDonald, Kendall (1997). Fort Bovisand: Divers complete guide. Wreckwalker books. ISBN 0-9528637-1-5.
• Woodward, Freddy (1996). The Historic Defences of Plymouth. Cornwall County Council. ISBN 978-1898166467.

• Victorian Forts data sheet

Images:-

• Big image of Fort Bovisand from the air