Gob ny Rona Gun Battery
Gob ny Rona (Port Lewaigue) is the ruined site of a late 18th or early 19th century casemated battery, built on the possible site of a Civil War Battery (possibly PRN 0585.00). It was a casemated battery comprising 'a sod rampart 12 feet thick, and a wooden platform of 18 yards wide by 6.5 yards deep' as mentioned in 1804. It had four embrasures and was different from the barbette-type battery ordered to be built here in 1793.
The fort is situated on a fairly high peninsular jutting northwards into the sea. The remains are rectangular and measure internally from foot of bank to foot of bank 14.5 x 7.5 metres. It is orientated west-northwest to east-southeast. The walls have an internal height of 1.6 metres and an external height of 1.1 metres, their average width at the base is 5.5 metres. They have been much mutilated by minor breaks and the whole is covered by fern and gorse. No trace of stonework was found. Considerable quantities of material have been removed from the adjoining southern exterior apparently in fairly recent times. No trace was found of any external defences.
An earlier Civil War battery appears to have stood on the site, as 'near Port League... there is an isthmus thereon was another fort... well supplied with cannon in 1643'. Further references were made to the site during the 17th and early 18th centuries; but 'only vestiges of the ramparts and a few old unservicable cannons' were seen in the mid - 18th century, although brought into use again in 1782. The headland is now National Trust property.
Connections
Book Chapters
- Parish: Maughold
- Sheading: Garff
- Grid Ref: SC4712093180
Sources
- Isle of Man Heritage Environment Record