Maker Redoubt No 5

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graybags

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Plymouth
Well, this was a surprise visit, had been at Mt Edgcumbe with SWMBO , son and surrogate daughter, I pointed it out on the way and SWMBO said we could stop on the way back home.....

From the Historic Defences of Plymouth :

"This protects the N flank of the line of 4 redoubts (Nos. 1-4) constructed on Maker Heights during the War of American Independence. It was prob begun as a temp redoubt in 1779 by the 2nd Devon Militia; Subsequently it was designed in a more permanent form by Dixon & the Duke of Richmond in 1781-82. Construction began in July 1782 & mostly complete by by Feb 1873, when bad weather stopped work. All five redoubts were originally intended to form detached bastions of a large fort on the high ground to the south of No.5 which was not built. On the defeat of this scheme No.5 was strengthened between July 1787 & summer 1791 by the addition of stone revetments, a loopholed stone barrack/storeroom/guardroom along the gorge & gun platforms. The stone may have been obtained from a small quarry 100m to the S or from other quarries to the rear of No.3 & adjoining Earl's Drive. In 1788 it was labelled as No.5 or 2nd Devon Redoubt, & in 1808 & 1811 is shown as having 9 gun embrasures, 2 on the N flank, 3 on the S & 4 on the W face, with a small building outside the gorge to the rear; it's armament is not known. It was apparently ruinous by 1866 & in WW2 the barrack block was occupied by Plymouth families displaced by the Blitz."


Well, we stopped on the way back and myself and surrogate daughter decided to have a quick trip round the perimeter/moat, only to find somebody had provided a ladder.....

Main entrance

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A quick recce was in order as we didn't want to get stuck in the ferry queue, so up the ladder swiftish, and into the redoubt only to find that a lot of clearance had begun in fact all the tools were still there

Saw's, Hammer, Bolt Cutters ? Adze ?

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Couldn't see anyone about but remains of recent occupation evident, 2 tents and sleeping bags ,unopened can of Relentless etc

Inside Barrack block with hole in floor including ladder

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View of outside including military fence

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View from Moat towards entrance

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Inside showing clearance

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Inside showing recent occupation

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All in all, a good but swift explore, can't wait to get down holes !!

G
 
Last edited:
Fantastic pics G! I see what you mean by clearance, when i last visited it was a jungle inside.
 
it was good of them to leave a ladder for you to get in there.well done
 

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