Group of 4 Second World War Coastal Artillery Search Lights

This is a group of four Second World War coastal artillery searchlight emplacements, dating from 1941, historically linked to the twin 6-pounder emplacements at Fort Bovisand.

The structures are built of shuttered concrete, with steel grilles and doors to some openings, and sit on worked cliff-face rock and concrete bases.

CASL No. 3 is rectangular with a blast entry to the north. It is built into an early 19th-century seawall and the bank behind. The south-east (seaward) wall is canted and has two vertical rectangular openings. Steps lead up to the fort at the rear, and the blast entry contains an intact steel door with three strap hinges. A circular hole in the roof provided ducting for searchlight heat. The interior is divided into two cells, and contains electrical fittings dated 1942. Later 20th-century structures within the emplacement and on the roof are excluded from the listing as they do not possess special architectural or historic interest.

CASL No. 4 is similarly rectangular with an attached blast entry to the east, with steps leading up to a platform and then to the fort. A modern lighthouse structure stands on the platform. The south-east (seaward) wall is canted with two vertical rectangular openings with grilles. The interior is a single cell with modern, inserted tanks constructed of breeze block. A circular hole in the roof indicates former heat ducting for a searchlight. Later 20th-century structures on the roof are excluded from the listing.

CASL No. 5 is also rectangular with a blast entry to the north-east. The south-east (seaward) wall is canted and contains three vertical rectangular openings with grilles. The blast entry doorway has double steel doors, one of which is collapsed but remains in position. A circular hole in the roof accommodated searchlight heat extraction.

CASL No. 6 is rectangular with a blast entry to the north. Steps leading up to the fort road at the rear are obscured by vegetation. The south-east (seaward) wall is canted and has three vertical rectangular openings with grilles. The doorway within the blast entry originally had double steel doors, but one has been removed. An inserted cupboard is located in the north-east corner. Later 20th-century structures within this emplacement are excluded from the listing. Paths and steps around the emplacements have also been altered and are not of special interest, therefore they are excluded from the listing.