ADMIRALTY STATION.
Anderhill Tower is a remarkable spot. On a clear day, it gives you access to stunning panoramic views to the north and south of Bressay, and a vantage point to see the gun positions at Aith Ness and the Bard Head. There is a clear sight across to Lerwick in the west, and then over to the beautiful island of Noss to the east, as well as the open expanse of the North Sea behind it.
From Mainland Shetland, Anderhill Tower can still be viewed from Fort Charlotte in Lerwick, and is one of the key Shetland landmarks on the east side of Shetland. It is no surprise that this was an important viewing spot to be exploited during the First World War.
In February 1910, it was recorded that plans for a new Admiralty Coastguard station were underway. At this stage, however, a site to the north was being considered.
The Shetland News reported in February 1910 about a ‘Proposed Coastguard Station at East side of Bressay’.
“We understand that a proposal has been made to erect a coastguard station on the east side of Bressay. What is thought to be the most likely site is the northern extremity of Loder Head, which lies north of Noss Island. If the station is erected there, the coastguards will be able to see several vessels approaching from both north and south. It is stated that the station proposed to be erected will be similar to the one at the Knab. ”
Although the site was to be altered, the need to position a coastguard station in this area was clear. The Garth Estate in Bressay granted a 21-year lease for 1/4 acre of the ground on top of Anderhill to the Admiralty to “erect thereon the buildings and apparatus necessary for the purposes of a war Signal Station”.
SHETLAND AND NAVAL RACE.
With continued concern about control of the seas, an Admiralty Signal station was completed in 1912 on Anderhill. It was a key Observation point enabling a commanding view of the ocean and Lerwick Harbour.
Construction began in November 1911. A new signal mast was in place by June 1913. The station eventually built was a two-story tower with an observation platform on the roof for the Coastguard Signal Crew who operated it before World War One.
Little is known about the earliest role of the tower or the personnel who controlled it, given the secrecy which surrounded such installations, not least in time of war. Sources indicate that the War Signal Crew were in regular communication with the Coastguard Headquarters at Fort Charlotte prior to the First World War, using semaphore and Morse signalling.
With the ensuing naval race between Britain and Germany, observation of the ocean surrounding Shetland became increasingly important, not least to protect the access to Lerwick. The island of Bressay, as ever, provided that protection.
In August 1912, the visit of British warships to Lerwick was recorded with the arrival of the armoured cruiser Achilles.
“On Sunday afternoon from Kirkwall, having on board the Right Hon. George Lambert, M.P…Civil Lord of the Admiralty. Mr Lambert was on shore during the evening, and inspected t:ie site of the proposed wireless station at Trebister. He was to have driven from Hoversta to the Ander Hill and inspected the new War Signal Station there, but was prevented from doing so owing to the very wet nature of the weather. The role of a war signal station was to intercept German naval and diplomatic communications. ”
With the outbreak of war in 1914, Anderhill was used as a Wireless Telegraph station. An electric generator and wireless equipment were landed from HMS Forward on 3rd August to Anderhill.
By the end of November, the Wireless Telegraphy, Secret Station was in operation on Anderhill, connected by a telegraph system. Sections of the R.N.R. manned lookout stations throughout the Shetland and some guarded the Wireless Telegraph station on Anderhill.
In March 1918, moves were made to install a signal search light on Anderhill, with the intention of fixing with Sumburgh head and sweeping the channel for navigational purposes, and to assist convoys using Lerwick Harbour.
Sources: ADM 137 1448. Orkney and Shetland Auxiliary Patrol. Prt.2; Archaeology Shetland. Site in Focus; Bressay Heritage Centre; Shetland Archives D50/26/1/14 Transcript of Captain Mitchell’s notes about guards, wireless station, HQ Guard, 1914-1915; The Shetland News, Saturday, February 26th, 1910; The Shetland News, Saturday, June 14th, 1913; The Shetland Times – Saturday, November 4th, 1911; The Shetland news, Saturday, August 24th, 1912; The Shetland Times, Saturday, August 8th, 1914; The Shetland Times, Saturday, October 21st, 1911.
SF