Monument MPM1984 - New Wireless Telegraphy Station, Horsea Island

Wireless Telegraphy Station built c1912 to replace the original Wireless Telegraphy Station that came into service on Horsea Island in 1909. Four wooden Elwell aerial masts were constructed between 1913 and 1921. These were replaced by aerial masts between 1931 and 1933. The station was in use until the 1960s and the main buildings appear to have been incorporated into later buildings still in use at the site which is now the headquarters of the Defence Diving School.

A new Wireless Telegraphy Station was constructed on Horsea Island in c1912. The station was situated about half way along the Island on the north side of the torpedo range. It replaced the original Wireless Telegraphy Station that came into service in 1909, which was located approximately 600m to the north-west (see MPM1984). The new station was constucted due to advances in wireless technology. Three new 446ft high wooden Elwell masts were erected in 1913-14 and a fourth in 1921. These replaced the original Marconi masts. The masts were 800ft apart in a roughly diamond plan, two on either side of the torpedo range. Further modernisation took place after 1921 and by 1924 a red-brick transmitting station known as 'Olympia' had been constructed. Between 1931 and 1933 a new type of aerial mast constructed of unsupported steel towers 180ft and 100ft high was erected. These replaced a high-powered world-wide 360 degree transmission system with a medium-powered directional transmission. The Elwell masts were demolished in 1933.

Further modernisation took place after the Second World War when the majority of the steel towers became obsolete. The station remained in use until the 1960s. The main station buildings appear to have been incorporated into later buildings still in use at the site which is now the headquarters of the Defence Diving School.

Ripley, Basil, 1982, Horsea Island and The Royal Naval (Bibliographic reference). SPM410.

Maritime Archaeology Trust, 2018, Forgotten Wrecks of the First World War: First World War Wireless Stations of the South Coast of England (Bibliographic reference). SPM582.