Monument record MDO7989 - Admiralty signal station, Round Down, Swanage
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Summary
Remains of an Admiralty signal station constructed around 1794-5.
Map
Type and Period (1)
Full Description
(SZ 02507717) Signal (NAT) <1>
(SZ 02507717) Telegraph (remains of) (NAT) <3>
SZ 025771. Remains of a signal station lying on the crest of a ridge consist of an irregular walled enclosure, about 180 feet x 75 feet and containing stone foundations of five small buildings; a sixth abutting to the outside of the wall at the north west corner. The central site comprises a shallow rectangular depression about 21ft x 18ft with indications of an entrance at the north west corner. The site is marked 'Signal' on OS 1" 1811 and visibility is good out to sea but limited inland. <4>
The site may be an Admiralty Coast Signal post, a series of which were first established along the south and east coasts of England between Land's End and Yarmouth (Norfolk) in 1794-5. They were intended to communicate with men-of-war in the offing by means of a system of balls and flags. <5>
It is marked as a telegraph on a chart of 1909. <2>
Sources/Archives (8)
- <1> SWX3294 Map: Ordnance Survey. 1807. Ordnance Survey 2 Drawing 1805-7 No 66E.
- <2> SWX8809 Chart: Evans, E. 1909. Swanage Bay.
- <3> SWX1540 Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Map 6in. 6 inch to 1 mile. 1929.
- <4> SDO149 Monograph: Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). 1970. An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume II (South East) Part 2. 297, No 80, Plan.
- <5> SWX8165 Monograph: Wilson, G. 1976. The Old Telegraphs. 64-67.
- <6> SDO147 Index: Papworth, M D J, Trust for Wessex Archaeology. 1983. Isle of Purbeck Survey. Form AM107. IOP 296.
- <7> SDO17434 Unpublished document: Royal Commission on Historic Monuments. Externally held archive: RCH01/093 RCHME Inventory: Dorset II (South-East).
- <8> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 457476.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Location
| Grid reference | SZ 02508 77071 (point) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | SZ07NW |
| Civil Parish | Swanage; Dorset |
| Unitary Authority | Dorset |
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Other Statuses/References
- Legacy UID: Dorset Sites and Monuments Record: 6 020 080
- Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: SZ 07 NW 22
- Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 457476
Record last edited
Mar 15 2023 2:25PM