Monument record MWX1454 - World War Two gun emplacement, Peverel Point, Swanage

A World War Two gun emplacement with observation post situated on the west side of the coastguard station, Peveril Point, Swanage. The emplacement is rectangular in plan with a large opening for a heavy gun at the front and a store at the rear. The observation post is on top of the gun emplacement. The structure was built in 1940-41 and is constructed of reinforced concrete. A field visit in 1997 found the structure to be in a very good condition, it had been converted into a seaside shelter.

Observation Post / Gun Emplacement. S side: Width 12ft. Height 5ft 7ins over concrete seats 1ft 5ins wide, over three rows of stone slabs 1ft 2ins deep. Two embrasures/lookout positions 3ft 2ins x 1ft 1in, a sloping outwards sill 1ft 2ins. W side: Width 10ft 2ins, also with seating and including possible emergency exit/entrance blocked with concrete and inset 9ins x 1ft 11ins at S end. NE or sea side: Width 11ft 3ins, full height 7ft. Height to lookout position 2ft 4ins. Lookout position (1) 6ft 6.5ins across, 1ft 2.5ins concrete division. Lookout position (2) 3ft 4ins across. Sills to both 1ft 6ins. E side - entrance side: 1ft 8ins across to entrance gap x 2ft 4ins height, 2ft 5ins across entrance gap, 4ft 6ins to corner of E wall from embrasure/lookout position. Height to embrasure adjoining entrance 4ft 7ins. Width 1ft 10ins x 12.5ins, 1ft 6ins across surface sill. Width to corner from end of embrasure 2ft 8ins. On concrete floor are the marks of the base of a possible gun mounting 3ft x 2ft 4ins. The ceiling is eleven concrete slabs. Extending out from the E entrance is a concrete pathway with two steps up to large concrete platform on NE side, covering lower observation post/gun emplacement. There are seven concrete steps from pathway down to ground level, a height of 4ft 6ins. [AEW36]. In use today as a shelter for the public to view the bay. Very large rectangular coastal gun emplacement with observation post on top. Large opening for heavy gun at front only. Store at rear. Very good condition and converted to seaside shelter. <1-3>

Record last edited

Apr 14 2023 2:56PM