Monument MPM1984 - New 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 to the torpedo testing range were adapted to house staff and equipment. Several years later due to advances in technology a new station was constructed about half way along the island on the north side of the torpedo range. [1, 2] This record covers the site of the new wireless station in use from c.1912/post-1918, and the rough area within which the various masts were located. Sources give the date of construction for the new station building as either c.1912 [2] or post-First World War [1]. The station was situated on the north side of the torpedo testing range about halfway along the Island [1, p50]. It replaced an earlier Wireless Telegraphy Station building that came into service in 1909, located approximately 600m to the northwest in a former mess room block to the torpedo testing range (see MPM1983). Three new 446ft high wooden Elwell masts (referred to as 150ft tall Elwood masts in the Maritime Archaeology Trust report [1, p.50]) were erected in 1913-14 and a fourth in 1921. These replaced Marconi masts in use when the station began operating at the western end of the island in 1909. The Elwell 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. [2] The station operated until c.1960. The site is still in use as part of the Royal Navy’s Defence Diving School. [1, p.47]