Thorne Island commands the entrance to the anchorage of Milford Haven and access to the former Royal Dockyard at Pembroke Dock. A proposal was made to fortify the island in 1817, but it was not implemented. In the 1850s, there was growing concern about the increasing strength of the French Navy and the expansionist policy of the Emperor Napoleon III.[1] Work started on the existing fort at some time after 1852 and '1854' is carved above the entrance. The fort is an irregular polygon in plan and was designed with a seaward facing battery for five RBL 7-inch Armstrong guns and four 68-pounder guns, all mounted en barbette (i.e. in an open mounting, firing over a parapet). The landward side of the fort consists of a defensible barracks, with a loopholed parapet overlooking the entrance.[2]
In 1860, the report of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom commented that "Although these batteries [ie: Thorne Island Fort, Dale Fort and West Blockhouse Fort] would prevent an enemy from making use of the anchorage at the mouth of Milford Haven, they would not prevent the passage of steamers of war, and therefore would not suffice to protect the dockyard or the haven itself." This was due to the limited number and size of guns that the existing fort could bring to bear on any fast moving target.[3] The report recommended to Lord Palmerston that further forts should be strengthened or constructed to counter the potential threat of the French Navy. Eventually twelve forts were constructed around the entrance to Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven including Fort Hubberstone, Popton Fort and Stack Rock Fort.
20th century
The fort was converted into a hotel in 1947 and was sold in 1999 for £275,000.[4] In 2001 it was owned by the Von Essen hotel group who intended spending four million pounds to reopen the hotel with a five star rating and a cable car to allow access from the mainland. In 2001 a competition was successfully held to find a family who would serve as caretakers for a year.[5] The island was sold in November 2011 for 'significantly less' than the guide price of £750,000 to the owner of Chislehurst Caves[6] who put it back on the market in 2016 for £550,000.[7]
The fort became a Grade II* Listed building in 1996, because it was "a well-preserved fort of Palmerston's Haven defences".[8]
Wrecks
The Loch Shiel
Thorne Island and the rocks around it were a hazard to shipping. Divers recognise over twelve wrecks that are worth diving in the area of the island, but of special interest is the 1878 built sailing ship Loch Shiel that sank in 1894.[9] 33 passengers and crew were rescued from the ship which had run into rocks off the island. Two Angle lifeboat crew members and the honorary secretary received RNLI silver medals.[10]
The rescue is particularly noteworthy as it is described as Wales' "Whisky Galore". The Loch Shiel was carrying goods from Scotland to Adelaide and included gunpowder, beer[11] and 60[11] (some say 7,000[12]) cases of Glasgow whisky. The cargo was partially recovered by Customs, but some of the bottles are still amongst the wreck and are described as "undrinkable".[12] Two local men from the same family drowned whilst attempting to bring a keg ashore, and another one died from alcohol poisoning.[10] Divers still investigate the wrecks off the island[9] and have auctioned full beer bottles that came from the Loch Shiel.[13] The beer is reported to be untainted by salt water, flat, but drinkable. Bottles have sold for £1,000 at auction.[14]
References
^Hogg, Ian V (1974), Coast Defences of England and Wales, 1856–1956, David & Charles, ISBN978-0-7153635-3-9 (p. 20)
^"Thorn(e) Island Fort"(PDF). www.victorianforts.co.uk. Victorian Forts and Artillery. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
