Monument MPM2148 - 19th century gun emplacement, East Battery, Southsea Castle

Remains of a 19th century gun emplacement within the East Battery of Southsea Castle recorded during work on the Southsea Coastal Defence Scheme.

Wall interpreted as the remains of a 19th century gun emplacement within the East Battery of Southsea Castle recorded during work on the Southsea Coastal Defence Scheme.

The semi-circular wall [3905] was constructed from handmade, unfrogged bricks laid in English garden bond and bonded with lime mortar. The surviving section of wall measured 9.6m in length by 1.24m wide and 0.90m high (15 courses). The wall corresponded with the site of a gun emplacement within the East Battery as shown on the 1867 Ordnance Survey map. It cut the eastern end of a 17th century structure [see MPM1246] and the surviving remains of Southsea Castle.

The west end of the wall [3905] was covered by a later sub square red brick structure measuring 2.70m x 1.70m x 1.20m high which appeared to have been constructed to cover a tunnel entrance.

The remains of the gun emplacement have been preserved in situ and are protected by the new sea defences.

Williams, Rachel, 2025, Southsea Coastal Defence Scheme Sub-frontage 4, Southsea Castle, Southsea, Hampshire: Archaeological Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SPM671.