Puckpool Battery

The Defence Committee in 1862 authorised the initialisation and construction of a 27 gun battery accompanied by 30 mortars and suitable barrack accommodation at Puckpool point east of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.  The works actually commenced in 1863, but a new proposal was soon adopted to change the armament to that of 50 heavy mortars, it was envisaged that as they were of vertical fire accommodating said would not prove to be a question in the given area. 

Because no other Isle of Wight battery was built with mortars in mind, Puckpool Battery was not only the biggest but also the most important ground defender of the Eastern Solent and Spithead. From its construction in 1865 until the completion of Steynewood Battery in 1894, it served as Spithead’s sole island-based battery.

Latterly in the 1890’s a further change was made to that  of two 6” guns and a 10” gun , the barracks and emplacement were used throughout the 1st and 2nd World wars for various duties (HMS Medina)  and today the emplacements and earthworks can be walked around and enjoyed as the whole area has been turned over to a recreational park for the community and visitors.

• Puckpool Battery Palmerston Fort Society – PDF

• https://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/plain/A83150750