The Hood Battery at Ascension Island
"... thanks to a team of engineers at RAF Ascension Island, part of the great Battle Cruiser H.M.S. Hood now stands a much better chance of surviving.
At the start of the Second World War, H.M.S. Hood underwent some modifications that included the removal of her secondary armament, which comprised twelve 5.5 inch guns, to be replaced with 4 inch weapons more suitable for anti-aircraft warfare. Soon afterwards, it was felt there was a need for some coastal defence on Ascension Island.
So two of the 5.5 inch guns were shipped down to the island where they were installed on Cross Hill, overlooking Georgetown. After the war, the guns were left to rot and when the RAF arrived during Corporate (the Falkland Islands War operations of 1982), these historic guns were a sorry sight covered in thick red dust. To get them back to their original pristine condition was the task that an enthusiastic team from the GEF set themselves. It was not a task to be undertaken lightly and the project required weeks of meticulous planning, not to mention sheer hard work in their off duty hours. The job was made even more difficult by the floods earlier this year which washed away the access roads to the site and at one time it was feared that the task would have to be abandoned.
But determination and enthusiasm won through and now the guns have been handed over to the Ascension Island Historical Society. Not only are they a fine reminder of the island's own fascinating past, but also of a great warship.
"Here are some pictures of the guns and some maps of their location on the Island:
Gun 1 with plaque in background
Showing how the guns overlook the coast
Here is a panoramic view from the site of the guns
This plaque, sited close to Hood's guns was erected to celebrate 50 years of peace since World War 2
A map showing detail of the Georgetown area.
For more information on Ascension Island click on the flag:
