The Coastguard Battery and Defence Electric Lights

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Aerial view of the Coastguard Battery (highlighted)

The Coastguard Battery was built as a complement to the Carlingnose Battery. They were built at the same time (construction of the Coastguard battery began on 21 June 1900.)

The Linlithgowshire Gazette and Lothians Chronicle November 12, 1898

While the Carlingnose Battery had two six inch guns firing 100lb shells up to 12,000 yards (11,000 m) to tackle capitals ships at long-range, the Coastguard Battery was armed with two 12-pdr Quick Firing guns to tackle fast-moving torpedo boats at close quarters.

The site also housed initially two, and eventually five, Defence Electric Lights (searchlights).

After the reworking of the Forth defences in 1916-17, Coastguard Battery was the only remaining armed battery in the Inner defences of the Forth. The original 12-pdrs were replaced by newer guns from Inchgarvie. It remained in service until 1939.

Despite its relatively long life, very few documents or plans have survived.

Index

Coastguard Battery – Location
Coastguard Battery – Layout
Coastguard Battery – The Guns
Coastguard Battery – Ammunition
Coastguard Battery – Defence Lights
Coastguard Battery – The End