Monument MPM1983 - Wireless Telegraphy Station, Horsea Island

An Admiralty wireless telegraphy station operated on Horsea Island from 1909 until c.1960. The station was originally located at the western end of the island where existing buildings were adapted to house staff and equipment. Several years later a new station building and masts were constructed about half way along the island on the north side of the torpedo range. [1, 2] This record covers the site of the building in use as the wireless station when it opened in 1909, and the rough area within which the Marconi masts were located. The Admiralty's first high-powered wireless telegraphy station began operating on Horsea Island in March 1909, initially manned by coastguard ratings with Royal Navy officers in charge. Royal Navy ratings took over from 1914. [1, p.11] Horsea Island was one of three new Admiralty wireless stations alongside stations at Cleethorpes and Gibralter. [2, p.67] The wireless station was originally located towards the western end of the island on the north side of the torpedo testing range and is marked on a 1910 plan [2, p.51]. Existing buildings within the site were adapted for use, the station building having been the mess room block to the torpedo range which was altered and extended to house both wireless equipment and staff. The station was used to conduct experimentation and training, together with routine wireless work. [1, p.11] [2, p.46] The station originally had four 150ft tall wooden aerial 'Marconi' masts in 8ft tabernacles held by wire stays and surrounded by eight 60ft spreader masts [1, p.11] [2, p.46]. The masts occupied an area 300ft square [1, p.11]. The officer in charge of the wireless station lived in a red-brick house constructed in the northwest corner of the island at the end of 1909, located outside a 10ft iron security fence which enclosed the entire western end of the island, including the station. [1, p.11] Due to advances in wireless technology, several years later a new station was constructed on the north side of the torpedo range about half way along the island. [1,p.11] [2, p.67] (see MPM1984) Ripley gives the date of the new station as c.1912, whereas the Maritime Archaeology Trust report suggests this was post-First World War. The original station building appears to still be marked on the 1952 Ordnance Survey map and was demolished at some point after this date [3].