Detached Bastion- Part 2

The Detached Bastion was added as a flanking defence to the North Lines in the 1850-60's. It was built in front of the North Centre Bastion between the Drop Redoubt to the east and the Citadel to the west, and linked to it by a caponnier through the ditch separating them. This was one of several improvements to the Western Heights defences at this time when a new threat of invasion was feared by Napoleon III.

 

Access corridor running inside side wall of Bastion.

 

One of the two wells inside the Detached Bastion.

 

Drawbridge at bottom of first stairs leading to top of Bastion.

 

View of first drawbridge and stairs to surface of Bastion.

Drawbridge still works, counterbalance weights jammed in down position by rocks.

 

Tunnel leads into caponnier across moat separating Detached Bastion from North Centre Bastion.

On the left a second drawbridge and ramp leads to the surface on top of the Detached Bastion.

At the end of the tunnel stairs leading up into the North Centre Bastion are securely bricked up.

Note rifle slits in caponnier to give field of fire down moat.

 

View looking back down slope towards drawbridge.

 

At exit of tunnel on top of Detached Bastion.

 

Tunnel exit with magazine above.

 

Main magazine on top of Detached Bastion.

 

Grass covered ramparts of Bastion. One of the four gun positions is on the left.