See-saw searchlight emplacement at Fort Victoria

Experimental see-saw searchlight emplacement of 1888, constructed by the Royal Engineers as part of the submarine mining depot at Fort Victoria. The searchlight apparatus has been removed, but the concrete emplacement remains largely intact.

MATERIALS: the emplacement comprises a concrete superstructure with a concrete base built into the foreshore embankment overlooking the sea. Steel beams are used to support the underside of the roof of the emplacement.

DESCRIPTION: the searchlight emplacement is largely semi-circular in plan with a centrally positioned truncated concrete cone upon which the traversing searchlight apparatus was positioned. Around this is a lower concrete platform within which the searchlight could be easily manoeuvred. This is partially covered by a reinforced concrete roof to provide protection. The emplacement is approximately 10m in width, 5m in depth, and partially sunken into the ground by around 2.5m.