Monument MPM1675 - Searchlight Emplacement, Point Battery

Electric searchlight emplacement built 1898-99 by Bramble Bros of Portsea. One of a series of late-19th century searchlight emplacements installed along the Portsmouth and Southsea coast. In use until the 1950s. Now part of The Canteen café at the hotwalls (opened in 2016).

South facing. Set at angle to Flanking Battery. 2.95m across face x 5.81m front to back (north corner) x 4.70m at widest point. Single large opening at front originally fitted with internal iron shutter behind iron bars. Latter replaced with modern PPC aluminium frame double-glazed window and fire exit inserted into rear of structure during works for the Hotwalls studio conversion (2013-2016).

The searchlight platform is earlier and probably contemporary with the Flanking Battery built c.1815. Mix of materials and phases. Reinforced concrete core, partially exposed. Facing stones appear to be mix of late-19th century work and 20th century repairs. Set of stone steps constructed between 1998 and 2008, possibly during sea defence work 2003-2005.

[1]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Concrete searchlight emplacement adjoining the seaward wall of Point Battery, south of the Round Tower. Possibly built in the 1890s to illuminate the harbour entrance. [2]

<1> Flood, Grace, 2025, The Round Tower, Broad Street, Portsmouth: Historic Building Recording (Unpublished document). SPM685.

<2> ERMC Architecture, 2015, Photographic Survey, Point Battery (Digital archive). SPM324.