| 1817 |
Proposed two tier gun battery built into coastal slope, to have been armed with 12 guns, protected to the rear by demi-bastions and a defensible barracks, estimated to cost £8,863. |
| 1858 |
“REPORT TO PARLIAMENT ON THE SEA DEFENCES OF MILFORD HAVEN AND PEMBROKE DOCK” produced by War Office Committee, proposing the creation of further defences including a new work at Chapel Bay for “10 guns in an open battery … in a straight line, on rear pivots, defensible barrack in rear for about 150 men”. |
| 1859 |
20th August – Royal Commission appointed to “Consider the defences of the United Kingdom”. Commission endorses a new work at Chapel Bay for 10 guns. |
| 1860 |
Report published – “THE DEFENCES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.” By The Royal Commissioners of the Defences of the United Kingdom. This document recommends the construction of a new work at Chapel Bay (NOT finally approved). |
| 1861 |
19th June – Site for battery purchased from I. Mirehouse Esq. (PRO W078 2620) |
| 1862 |
Approval to build battery of 6 guns. (PRO W0195 30) |
| 1867 |
Colonel Jervois’ report on progress in defence construction is published, the proposed plan to mount 6 guns in an “earthen battery” is still to be started. |
| 1868 |
The 10″ 18 ton R.M.L. gun is introduced into British (Naval) service. |
| 1869 |
Colonel Jervois produces a design to mount 6 R.M.L. guns utilizing the Moncrieff Disappearing Gun Carriages, in a battery with barracks for 3 officers and 60 men in the rear forming a “keep”. The whole work was to be enclosed by a ditch and wall, flanked by caponiers. Approval was not given to mount the guns on Moncrieff Disappearing Carriages (PRO WO196 30). Approval given for a rectangular plan battery with earthen ramparts, enclosed by l6ft deep ditch, armed with six 9″ R.M.Ls. ( PRO WO106 Pt. 2 ) |
| 1886 |
Six 9 pdr. field guns located near to Chapel Bay, representing 40 pdr. guns during the so-called “Milford Haven Experiments” (History of Submarine Mining in the British Army, by Lieut. Colonel W. Baker-Brown R.E.) |
| 1890 |
War Office approval given to commence construction work 1st January. Battery to be armed with three 10″ 18 ton Mk III R.M.L. guns mounted on 7 ft parapet “C” (central) pivot carriages. Completed 3lst October 1891. Contractor W. Hill of Gosport. |
| 1893 |
30th May – Area to east of Battery purchased from R.W.B. Mirehouse Esq. for siting a battery of three 12 pdr. Q.F. guns. |
| 1894 |
2nd April – War Office approval for construction of a 6 pdr Q.F. battery, completed l7th March 1896. Contractor Messrs Heathevly Bros., Coventry. 0rdnance – Q.F. Nordenfelt 6 pdr Mk II. on mounting 6 pdr Q.F. (Fitted with new gripping arrangement) (Pt20 W078 2620) |
| 1898 |
1898 War Office approval to build new three gun 12 pdr Q.F. battery to east of moat. Commenced may 1898, completed March 1890. (PRO WO78 4919) |
| 1900 |
May – War Office approval to reconstruct and re-arm Fort. Work commences June 1900, and completed August 1901. New armament consisted of three 6″ Mk VII. B.L. guns (PRO WO78 4919) |
| 1902 |
Armament – three 6″ B.L. Mk VII B.L. guns, three 12 pdr Q.F. guns and 4 Maxim machine guns. |
| 1914 |
Three gun floor shelters completed to provide accommodation for the duty gun crews. |
| 1914-18 |
Chapel Bay served as the “Examination Battery” for the Haven i.e. guns and lights manned 24 hrs a day (hence shelters above) |
| 1932 |
Army leaves Chapel Bay Fort. |
| 1935 |
Site sold / re-acquired by the Mirehouse family. |
| 1939-45 |
Anti-aircraft emplacement and searchlight battery/control centre, and ammunition storage for local AA guns. |
| 1959 |
Chapel Bay Fort scheduled as an ancient monument by CADW, reference PEMBS 333, file no. 82460. |
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| N.B. 1 |
Chapel BAY IS REFERRED TO AS A BATTERY IN MOST MATERIAL, BUT IN THE “TABLE OF REFERENCE” JULY 1914, IS CORRECTLY REFERRED TO AS A FORT. |
| N.B. 2 |
R.M.L. = Rifled Muzzle-Loader |
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B.L. = Breech-Loading, propelling charge in a bag. |
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Q.F. = B.L., propelling charge in a brass case. |
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Copyright G.D. Geear & R.J.C. Thomas April 1997 |
