Orillon Batteries

The Orillon Batteries were artillery batteries in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. The batteries were three-storey gun positions within a natural fault in the Rock of Gibraltar.[1]

Orillon Battery
Part of Fortifications of Gibraltar
Gibraltar
The 3rd Orillon Battery was above the Orillon Gallery
Orillon Battery
Coordinates36.146011°N 5.348941°W / 36.146011; -5.348941
TypeArtillery Battery
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Gibraltar
Site history
Built1788

Description

The Orillon Batteries are part of what is known as the Northern Defences which include these batteries together with Bomb Proof Battery, Hanover Gallery, Kings and Queens Galleries, Star Chamber Cave, Commons Hall and St. Patrick's Chamber. These lie behind the blocks of government flats called Laguna Estate in Gibraltar's north district and are currently closed to the public. These batteries are part of the Lower Galleries.[2] There were thought to have been four Orillon batteries but it is unclear where the 2nd and 4th batteries were.

Plaque at Pages Raise

The batteries had a three-storey gun position within a natural fault in the Rock.[1] The 1st Orillon Gallery can be found by descending stairs called Pages Raise (Named after 2nd Lieutenant Page of the 178 Tunnelling Coy R.E.) step off Queens Gallery which is an arterial tunnel on the eastern side of the Northern Defences. This battery had three guns.[2]

The 3rd Orillon Gallery is at the centre of the Northern Defences and links into St. Patrick's Chamber. The gallery dates from 1788 but the battery disappeared some time later. This space was used as a kitchen and a period oven is still in situ. Evidence of the substantial wooden floor that was created for the 3rd battery can still be seen. The battery was created by large planks that would have rested on the perimeter ledges that can still be seen. They would have created a platform for the battery nearly two metres above the existing floor.[2]

References
  1. Fa & Finlayson (2006). The Fortifications of Gibraltar 1068-1945. Osprey Publishing. p. 31. ISBN 978-1-84603-016-1. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  2. Crone, Jim. "The Northern Defences of Gibraltar". DiscoverGibraltar.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
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