Peter
I know Longside was one of the Naval Airship bases built during
the first world war to protect shipping from German Submarines (I
believe some remains of the old hanger foundations exist). The UK did
not have the ability to make helium so the airships were filled with
hydrogen. The similar base at East Fortune (RNAS), on the Firth of the
Forth had a CWG gas plant for producing Hydrogen for the balloons (other
CWG plants were located at other airship stations across the country).
So it is possible that these may be the remains of an old CWG gas plant
(Buildings) and Holders (Dumbells). I can't confirm this but it is
likely that the station had a gas plant somewhere for filling the
airships, it would make the structures very old however.
Best Regards
Dr Russell Thomas
BSc(Hons), PhD, CBIOL, MSB, MIENVSc, CEnv, MSCI
Principal Scientist, Communities
Parsons Brinckerhoff
44-(0)7879-602-509
-----Original Message-----
From: Contaminated Land Management Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter
Exon
Sent: 28 October 2009 16:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Unknown Military(?) Structures
Does anyone have an idea of what the dumbell shaped structure in the
attached photos are?
The site is a disused miliatry camp approximately 250m east of what was
Longside Airfield, Peterhead.
The map of the site (E5-1972 Disused Camp) shows a dumbell shaped
structure. On the ground this is a brick/stone "wall" with regular
internal butressing, internal height 1m, outer height varies with the
ground level 0-0.5m (DSCF1067 / DSCF1074). In the centre of the
circular parts of the dumbell are two hollow (depth ?) columns the same
height and materials as the outer wall but have a smooth cap (DSCF1075).
The structures appear to be in very good condition.
To the north of the dumbell structure and at a lower level is a pit/sump
with entry/exit pipe and stopcock (DSCF1077).
At the southern end of the site and at a higher level than the dumbell
structure are three buildings - the western appears to be a later
addition (concrete instead of brick). The two brick buildings
(DSCF1089 / DSCF1090), though separate, appear to have been joined by a
pipe/conduit high up in their respective walls. Nothing remains
internally to these buildings.
There is a structure shown on the map between the track and dumbell
structure which was not observed because of dense vegetation.
The rest of the site showed evidence of dumped demolition waste,
electronics equiment and (asbestos containing?) roofing materials.
Current ideas, are gun platforms or sewerage plant for the surrounding
camps and airfield.
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