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| Home
/ History
/ Portland
and Weymouth / Dorset's Coastal Defences |
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| The Verne |
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| Source: Various (please see
Site Credits) |
Click any picture to enlarge
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At the same time as plans were being drawn
up to create a harbour at Portland it was realised that extensive
defence works would also be needed and it was decided to carve
a great fortress from the rock at the Verne on the heights
of the Island. This citadel was to house a garrison of over
1000 soldiers and mount guns to support the batteries defending
the harbour.
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| The Verne, clearly showing the vast
ditch |
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| Protection was provided
to the south and west by a spectacular gorge blasted from the
stone of the heights and this stone was to be used in the construction
of the Breakwaters. The other two sides rested on sheer cliff.
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| Digging the Ditch |
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Work on the ditch
started in 1848 and convict labour from the new and nearby prison
was employed in hewing the stone. The citadel itself, which
was designed by Captain William Crossman Royal Engineers, was
completed in 1869. It occupied an area of over 50 acres and
contained, not only accommodation for the soldiers in bomb proof
casemates (vaulted rooms) but also a hospital, a gym, sports
fields and houses for married officers. |
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| One of the Caponiers in the Verne
Ditch |
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| This section of an old oblique map
shows how the Citadel dominates the new harbour |
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| Building the Casemates |
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| Eight guns were installed including
two big 12.5 inch, one 10 inch, one 8 inch and four 7 inch cannons
and ten mobile guns. |
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In the early days
a battalion of infantry was normally stationed at the Verne.
During World Wars l and 2 it became the Headquarters of the
Coast Artillery. Today it is a prison. |
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