Breakwater fort was still in use by Fort Bovisand Diving School well into the 1980's. At the time there was only 3 places where you could get trained up as a commercial diver. Fort Bovisand was one, Fort William was another, and I forget where the other one was. I recall that Bovisand was run by Commander Alan Bax. The NDT signs referred to Non-Destructive Testing. Which was one of the courses they run there. NDT was used extensively on oil rigs for checking out welds, and other tests to measure metal thickness/corrosion. The multicoloured hoses were umbilicals use to supply breathing air, hot water, communications and a safety rope to the diver. Training would include how to handle these as well. If you had looked in the blue folders marked "Divers Log" you might have found some dates showing when the fort was last used. The Blue and White colour scheme was regarded (unofficially) as "diving colours". Because the divers flag is the "Code A" flag from the international code of signals which is Blue and White, and means; "I have a diver down, steer well clear and at low speed". The other relevant colour scheme shown in your video was the black and white quadrants on the end of cylinders. This indicated that the contents were compressed breathing air. Breathing air is always filtered clean of contaminants downstream of the compressor. The diving suits lying around were hot water suits where excess water would simply leak out at wrist and ankles. Old suits would often just become overalls. Fort Bovisand was the casemate fort on the Devon side of the Breakwater, use by sports divers and sport diver (non-commercial) diver training. Thousands of sport divers used Fort Bovisand during the many years it operated. Many people have dived around the Breakwater fort and the breakwater over the years. Interesting to see the place again.
I attended Fort Bovisand Diving School in 1990, the breakwater fort and the diving equipment you see in this video were used to simulate oil rig diving as there was a mock up of rig legs in about 20 metres of water just under the loading crane. At the end of the course there was an unwritten rule that attendees had to jump from the crane into the water to pass the course, a drop of 18 metres which tested the bottle of all. Really good times, fond memories.
I worked on the BWF when it was dive station for Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre. We had a control room etc with the dive panels and HP back up. A cage transported the divers to the seabed. On the seabed were various structures for the divers to work on. I can’t remember the number but there were quite a few casemates and magazines below. It is a shame the film makers never had a guide or did a bit of research before they visited. Did you know it is the only elliptical free standing fort in the world! Constructed on shovel rock and divers were used. Overseen by the Royal Engineers.
Dear Mr. Whelan--- Maybe you would be interested in what we're trying to do!! See what you think. * WE'RE WORKING ON A BUSINESS CONCEPT TO REHAB HISTORIC BUILDINGS GLOBALLY. * IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HELPING US, YOU COULD BE ONE OF OUR ADVISERS... IF WE'RE BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO BUY THE FORT! * PLUS, AS A BONUS, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO VACATION AT THE FORT FOR FREE WHEN WE'VE FINISHED REHABBING IT! * IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP AND WE'LL EXPLAIN. Thanks!! Mr. & Mrs. McNellen Bowen Founders Real Estate Designers, Developers & Investors USA BowenOrg@gmail.com
Amazing video! Thank you for the trip! Jess your narrating was beautiful, but then you both are a pleasure to listen to! Much love from the States,. Indiana.
I've stayed at the fort on the left as you look back towards Plymouth. Its called Picklecombe and is one of Best places we've stayed. Of course it's fully occupied,the size of the granite blocks are amazing. One of Palmerstons follys apparently, like the one your on. Enjoying your stuff and you really seem to enjoy it, The mine of information that is The secret vault is fast becoming a national treasure for those interested in the hidden places. The burnt out Bristol nightclub explore really showed why you get excited about these things. Keep it up I'm enjoying the tour. 👍
I love history. I've enjoyed your videos. I got to see things I've never seen before I'm 68 years old. I live in Stuttgart Arkansas keep putting them out and I'll keep watching.
I did my commercial diving course mainly on breakwater fort in dec 92 - jan93. There was a full blown hot water suit, full video and comms set up for 2 divers plus stanby diver running from that shack just inside the main door. A diver cage just outside those doors ran from the main gantry down to a platform on the bottom. Good times. There have always been roumers of blocked off tunnels from there all the way into Plymouth.
What an amazing place , without you Sam, Jess and Matt we would never have seen this a truly remarkable piece of history I think it should be returned to its former glory and opened as a museum if it was nearer land it would have been destroyed by now by the copper thief’s and stupid idiots that take fun in ruining these places but it is untouched I am sure they would recoup there money spent by charging an admission fee and boat trip to get there I personally would pay to go and see it as would other people I treated in the history . A great narration by Jess at the beginning. Well done guys very interesting and lucky Matts boat never turned into a submarine or you would have needed the dive suit’s . Stay safe and look forward to your next explore xx
Great vid, live in Plymouth and have explored all the forts around and this one which was in use until recently. If you come down to our part of the world again, give us a shout, there are another about another 30 military installations, gun emplacements and forts you can explore which are pretty cool.
If you look up Fort Picklecombe ,you will notice it is directly opposite the site you were exploring in this video. It’s the building one of you thought might be a Hotel. It is actually Apartments built into the original Napoleonic period structure. I’ve stayed there .Absolutely stunning views.
Chris Bird You correct in what you say, it was also a gunnery battery in W.W.2, my father was a gunnery Sgt based there in W.W.2, and in later years my older brother was a machinery engineer working there when it was converted into apartments, I Think the island that you where on was part of PALMERSTONS FOLLY, in which he had forts built all over Plymouth with connecting tunnels ( for miles to get troops to where any action was unnoticed by the enemy ) under ground connecting with each other, my father always told me there's a tunnel from the Citadel fort out to drakes island, and I worked with a guy who actually walked in some of the tunnels, ( had he been caught he would have been in big trouble ) he also ( when in the army ) walked so far in a tunnel over in tregantle fort out in whitsands bay, just some useless info for you to think about........
Dave Welsh owner of fort bovisand dive school used the fort as part of diver training I saw a documentary on channel 4 filmed in the fort and at bovisand in late 90s brilliant documentary
This place was HUGE. Very interesting, somewhere most of us wouldNEVER see on our own. Thank you for the explorations, always well done and filled with background knowledge. Love you guys, I’ll always watch you.❤Stay safe😁❤️cat xxx
At 26:26 we see what looks like a hydraulic pump and reservoir tank some plumbing is intact I believe this would have powered the ammunition elevators via the pistons and cable pulleys. Most of the connecting pipework is apparently now missing. It is very similar to modern hydraulic elevators except that now we set the electric motor and pump inside the reservoir tank.
This was really interesting. Tanks for sharing. I live in Plymouth and wold love to see this used again. Such good condition and a waste not being used. Bit like Drake island..any good investors out there? lol
This was used for the commercial Diving courses run from Fort Bovisand BAD LADS I did my NDT exam there back in 90’s Like some have said already there are mock up oil rig nodes below the crane on the sea bed that were used to test the wields and cathodic protection systems and metal thickness and to use cameras to document and inspect the wields.
A LITTLE TIP THAT WE USE ALL THE TIME... GO TO "SETTINGS" AND THEN "PLAYBACK SPEED" AND PICK A FASTER SPEED SETTING THAT'S COMFORTABLE FOR YOU! IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO WATCH ALL THE "EXPLORER" VIDEOS ON UA-cam AND NOT GO CRAZY WITH BOREDOM!!! : ) GOOD LUCK
Good afternoon.. Well what can I say brought back lots of memories for me as a plymouth Stonehouse boy my self.. The place has lights that come on at night on the top so the battery's on the roof are live it's also used as a weather station that's what the modern instruments are solor panels.. As for the big wooden thing like a ships mask.. It is because it was classed as a royal navy like a ship... Im surprised the the warship didn't see you through binoculars and warn the river police... That's why the sounded there horn.. As for the rooms they are magazines rooms the holes was where the bombs get lifted up to the top and loaded and yes the rusty round plates are where the big guns stood.. It's still used by plymouth jenny cliff diving club.. Just actually across the way.. Im surprised no one came over and nicked you for trespassing because its still in use but saying all that its been good.. Im in Jersey long way from Stonehouse plymouth now.. Lots of memories for me with the boys back in the day out there fishing and other things back in 70/80tys...Plymouth hoe boys.. My brother wilf. Nigle. Milo. And lads.. Good old days.. Anyway I could tell you lots of places to see & go.. You luv.. But I save that till next time.. Take care you lot.. I did really feel like I was back home for a while watching this.. Many thanks Devon pirate Paul 👍
I've only just found your channel, and am really enjoying your explores around some fantastic places! I used to be a volunteer helping to refurbish Bull Sands Fort in the mouth of the River Humber, and was very similar to this fort. We would regularly spend long weekends or sometimes a full week out there including during a Force 8 storm. Now that WAS an experience! Sometimes we would have the inshore lifeboat stop by for a cuppa, and occasionally an Air Sea Rescue Sea King helicopter would call, hover overhead, then depart. Oh, and Jess is far too pretty to wear a bra! 😉😉 As a drone pilot myself, I love the aerial footage.
I am completely loving your videos!!! my favorite of all, for real. The belt system in this one was their power supply before electric motors were invented. I've only seen one in my life, thats the second one, most were taken out as everything was converted to electric motors. It looks like this one may have been used even after the motors were being used. the belt systems were usually ran off of steam engines but there was a big deisel engine in there, I wonder if that may have been a later version of belt power. ?? its interesting for sure... well to me its amazing, thank you so much
Water pressure powered Hydraulic Lift Cylinders are in cartridge stores down below at side of shell lift used to raise shells and cartridges up to guns, wire ropes are missing. Gun battery rooms have been repurposed because wood walls are built over the cannon traversing rails in floors of batteries.
400 volts: military power. Pretty cool workshop for making repairs on the facility. The powerful smell of oil is probably someone accessing a bunker of diesel fuel for their project. Remarkably good condition probably to maintain the weather/navigation aides on the roof. Most amazingly it has bolted on iron armor, an upgrade before the First World War to cope with rifled naval guns and their increasingly devastating firepower.Lovely old hit-or-miss motor, very slow rpms but the torque would snap your arm off like a matchstick should your sleeves get caught in the flywheel! These old single cylinder motors would run on anything-grease, paraffin, alcohol! The abundance of generators is probably a Second World War addition, necessary for the the tracking and training of large anti aircraft batteries. BTW, did that warship turn and face the Fort while you were topside?
This would make an amazing base for sea cadets. They could have the renovation and upkeep of the place as a project and it would act as a great training and familiarization location.
Thanks for posting, this is very interesting (No wow's I promise). I'd love to be able to stay in some of these places for a few days/nights. to write and paint in. I get the same feeling with the more remote lighthouses etc. Thanks again.
That wasn't just an ordinary teddy at 50;56, he is actually the Caretaker. Normally, he patrols the upper and lower levels day or night and wistfully looks out to sea, waiting for relief - which never comes. On his lonely vigils of the night, he longs for a proper owner, but since the fort's last Commander forgot him when he retired and left. Now his only company, is the Cook, (the woodlouse seen earlier).The teddy can only ever leave, IF someone asks him ""you the Caretaker"? They are then doomed to take over.
@@jackharrison6771 Brilliant suggestion, but I definitely can't take over from the *Caretaker*, as I have another more pressing need, to gather up, going backwards in "Time", which looks like it could be, a job for Eternity !
WOW he said as he looked at the door - WOW he said as he looked at the window - WOW he said when he saw the floor - WOW what an interesting commentary ! Other than that - very interesting !
@@johnfuller7016 It is a term, which comes from a particular generation, like "Crikey", "Varda", "Good Greif" or "Bloody Hell", it is nearly always, an Eternal Boi's term, as most of us boi's have at least a passing interest, in technical detail, which is sadly lacking in most of the younger male population of today, in 2021.
You are right about the steam power, the belt system in there was ran from the steam engine to machinery to turn spindles before electric motors were invented. I've only seen one like it in tact. I'm guessing the generator was there to provide electric as they began to use motors in the later years. Looks like they had some extra motors
Just subbed to you @SamandJess, brilliant videos and you got a great mentor in Matt from Secret Vaults setting you in the good tracks to come in your own right, keep up the good work xx
Jeez Sam,shit the bed man,you walking out on the metal arm,kudos to you for that,and it was windy. Really fascinating place but creepy too. Wonder what it was like when it was in service? Great views up top though,gorgeous day.
Those cables on the wall at 53 mins are Dive umbilical cords probably for if they needed to do maintinence. They bond together air lines, hot water lines, communication lines, camera lines, torch power lines & ropes to pull the diver back up if unconcious. The tanks would be a bail-out air supply if the tether got cut and the bank cylinders shown in the room just before 53mins would be the surface air source for the divers.
Deja Vu after seeing the bald guy`s video :) Like to have been there just walking around :) You guys are lucky over there, having so many amazing plazas :)
Wow this place and Drakes Island would make great tourist attractions, in the old days you could walk on the breakwater, I wonder why it stopped. I’d love to know more about the history of it. I know it’s military but there still must be more to it. I mean how was it even built?
The breakwater fort was still being used in the 80s and 90s. I know that because my father worked there for Plymouth ocean projects and I also went there, it was still busy at the time
The metal object they thought was a radar reflector is actually less exciting, it’s a magnetic test piece. They also did a lot of underwater welding training there.
wauw amazing site reminds me, referring to that locked door and open window to videos i've seen from Tino Struckmann ( guy who visits ww1 and ww2 forts ) he sees the same alot, except he also finds for some reaon alot of tires in them, well being sea forts no use for that ;) keep on going hooked to you guys cheers from Holland, about those engines Tino has vistit the Maginot forts in France you will be amazed whats all in their
No Seagulls, well did you see any chips and ice cream, with not a bin-bag in sight, on top of that, nesting on those roofs, would be for much of the time, too damn hostile to their chicks. The transportation of nest material, is too far away from land. Living in a town that calls it's football team, Seagulls, as well as my best friend being "Stu of the Gulls", I speak with insight and Gnosis :)
Yikes! Now my knees hurt too. What were so many engines for? Certainly some for generating electricity. ??? Block and tackle to move and lift. From Bakersfield California USA.
the lift... the cylinder looks like n early hydraulic cylinder using salt water. the wire is wrapped around both ends of the cylinder and secured at each end when the cylinder expands it pulls the cart up because its the only part that can move.
Breakwater fort was still in use by Fort Bovisand Diving School well into the 1980's. At the time there was only 3 places where you could get trained up as a commercial diver. Fort Bovisand was one, Fort William was another, and I forget where the other one was. I recall that Bovisand was run by Commander Alan Bax. The NDT signs referred to Non-Destructive Testing. Which was one of the courses they run there. NDT was used extensively on oil rigs for checking out welds, and other tests to measure metal thickness/corrosion. The multicoloured hoses were umbilicals use to supply breathing air, hot water, communications and a safety rope to the diver. Training would include how to handle these as well. If you had looked in the blue folders marked "Divers Log" you might have found some dates showing when the fort was last used. The Blue and White colour scheme was regarded (unofficially) as "diving colours". Because the divers flag is the "Code A" flag from the international code of signals which is Blue and White, and means; "I have a diver down, steer well clear and at low speed". The other relevant colour scheme shown in your video was the black and white quadrants on the end of cylinders. This indicated that the contents were compressed breathing air. Breathing air is always filtered clean of contaminants downstream of the compressor. The diving suits lying around were hot water suits where excess water would simply leak out at wrist and ankles. Old suits would often just become overalls.
Fort Bovisand was the casemate fort on the Devon side of the Breakwater, use by sports divers and sport diver (non-commercial) diver training. Thousands of sport divers used Fort Bovisand during the many years it operated. Many people have dived around the Breakwater fort and the breakwater over the years.
Interesting to see the place again.
Cheers for the info really interesting 👌👌☕
I was at Fort Bovisand as a sport diver with Croydon BSAC in 1974. I was 15 years old.
Very informative!
Thanks for this info. I can’t believe there is no security there. Another great find. Thanks much!
Thanks for the information, it's good to know the history of these places. Happy New Year!
I attended Fort Bovisand Diving School in 1990, the breakwater fort and the diving equipment you see in this video were used to simulate oil rig diving as there was a mock up of rig legs in about 20 metres of water just under the loading crane.
At the end of the course there was an unwritten rule that attendees had to jump from the crane into the water to pass the course, a drop of 18 metres which tested the bottle of all.
Really good times, fond memories.
Sailed past it so many times on Warships and always wondered what was on there.
I worked on the BWF when it was dive station for Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre.
We had a control room etc with the dive panels and HP back up.
A cage transported the divers to the seabed. On the seabed were various structures for the divers to work on.
I can’t remember the number but there were quite a few casemates and magazines below.
It is a shame the film makers never had a guide or did a bit of research before they visited.
Did you know it is the only elliptical free standing fort in the world!
Constructed on shovel rock and divers were used. Overseen by the Royal Engineers.
Thanks for that info!
Dear Mr. Whelan---
Maybe you would be interested in what we're trying to do!!
See what you think.
* WE'RE WORKING ON A BUSINESS CONCEPT TO REHAB HISTORIC BUILDINGS GLOBALLY.
* IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HELPING US, YOU COULD BE ONE OF OUR ADVISERS... IF WE'RE BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO BUY THE FORT!
* PLUS, AS A BONUS, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO VACATION AT THE FORT FOR FREE WHEN WE'VE FINISHED REHABBING IT!
* IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT US ASAP AND WE'LL EXPLAIN.
Thanks!!
Mr. & Mrs. McNellen Bowen
Founders
Real Estate Designers, Developers & Investors
USA
BowenOrg@gmail.com
OMG Jess has got some guts........ she ran over that platform, all the time smiling. Amazing xx
Amazing video! Thank you for the trip! Jess your narrating was beautiful, but then you both are a pleasure to listen to! Much love from the States,. Indiana.
I've stayed at the fort on the left as you look back towards Plymouth. Its called Picklecombe and is one of Best places we've stayed. Of course it's fully occupied,the size of the granite blocks are amazing. One of Palmerstons follys apparently, like the one your on. Enjoying your stuff and you really seem to enjoy it, The mine of information that is The secret vault is fast becoming a national treasure for those interested in the hidden places. The burnt out Bristol nightclub explore really showed why you get excited about these things. Keep it up I'm enjoying the tour. 👍
I love history. I've enjoyed your videos. I got to see things I've never seen before I'm 68 years old. I live in Stuttgart Arkansas keep putting them out and I'll keep watching.
I did my commercial diving course mainly on breakwater fort in dec 92 - jan93. There was a full blown hot water suit, full video and comms set up for 2 divers plus stanby diver running from that shack just inside the main door. A diver cage just outside those doors ran from the main gantry down to a platform on the bottom. Good times.
There have always been roumers of blocked off tunnels from there all the way into Plymouth.
Thank you for taking me with you exploring, I loved it. Sad to see history like this left to rust.
i don’t think i would go in there without a confined space monitor they were taking their chances.
Found your channel yesterday. Have been binge watching your past videos. One of the best urbex channels on UA-cam. 👍
I did my diver training from Bay Water Fort in 97. Trained by Fort Bovidands.
I live in Plymouth. Alway wanted to go there. Awesome video
What an amazing place , without you Sam, Jess and Matt we would never have seen this a truly remarkable piece of history I think it should be returned to its former glory and opened as a museum if it was nearer land it would have been destroyed by now by the copper thief’s and stupid idiots that take fun in ruining these places but it is untouched I am sure they would recoup there money spent by charging an admission fee and boat trip to get there I personally would pay to go and see it as would other people I treated in the history . A great narration by Jess at the beginning. Well done guys very interesting and lucky Matts boat never turned into a submarine or you would have needed the dive suit’s . Stay safe and look forward to your next explore xx
I agree completely:) The UK has so much amazing history, I love this stuff!
The Asbestos Fibres are strong in this one.....
Great vid, live in Plymouth and have explored all the forts around and this one which was in use until recently. If you come down to our part of the world again, give us a shout, there are another about another 30 military installations, gun emplacements and forts you can explore which are pretty cool.
If you look up Fort Picklecombe ,you will notice it is directly opposite the site you were exploring in this video. It’s the building one of you thought might be a Hotel. It is actually Apartments built into the original Napoleonic period structure. I’ve stayed there .Absolutely stunning views.
Chris Bird
You correct in what you say, it was also a gunnery battery in W.W.2, my father was a gunnery Sgt based there in W.W.2, and in later years my older brother was a machinery engineer working there when it was converted into apartments, I Think the island that you where on was part of PALMERSTONS FOLLY, in which he had forts built all over Plymouth with connecting tunnels ( for miles to get troops to where any action was unnoticed by the enemy ) under ground connecting with each other, my father always told me there's a tunnel from the Citadel fort out to drakes island, and I worked with a guy who actually walked in some of the tunnels, ( had he been caught he would have been in big trouble ) he also ( when in the army ) walked so far in a tunnel over in tregantle fort out in whitsands bay, just some useless info for you to think about........
Dave Welsh owner of fort bovisand dive school used the fort as part of diver training I saw a documentary on channel 4 filmed in the fort and at bovisand in late 90s brilliant documentary
This place was HUGE. Very interesting, somewhere most of us wouldNEVER see on our own. Thank you for the explorations, always well done and filled with background knowledge. Love you guys, I’ll always watch you.❤Stay safe😁❤️cat xxx
Many thanks for sharing, that was great to see and experience in so much detail.
Jess is a great sounding narrator, keep up the good work guys...
Very nice Sam and NinJess the Place was full of Engines glad you video it really Cool!!!; )
This is an phenomenal place. Thank you for sharing.
Lol fibres lay dormant in the lungs they do 😂
This was so interesting to watch especially i am from Plymouth was born there but never knew about this place.
Awesome forte guys loved the tour ❤
This is going to be a good one
All possible because of captain matt and his big bitch 😁🤣
Demo next Saturday at Dover on 5th
Of course it is Matt ....✊✊✊ u taught them so well ... love to you and ur sweet Angel ... 🙏❤️🙏 🐕🐕🐕 🦋🦋🦋 xxxxxxxx
Agreed matt they always are as is your good self
At 26:26 we see what looks like a hydraulic pump and reservoir tank some plumbing is intact I believe this would have powered the ammunition elevators via the pistons and cable pulleys. Most of the connecting pipework is apparently now missing. It is very similar to modern hydraulic elevators except that now we set the electric motor and pump inside the reservoir tank.
This was really interesting. Tanks for sharing. I live in Plymouth and wold love to see this used again. Such good condition and a waste not being used. Bit like Drake island..any good investors out there? lol
This was used for the commercial Diving courses run from Fort Bovisand BAD LADS
I did my NDT exam there back in 90’s
Like some have said already there are mock up oil rig nodes below the crane on the sea bed that were used to test the wields and cathodic protection systems and metal thickness and to use cameras to document and inspect the wields.
Great explore guys. Well enjoying this. Hope ya both well and had a good weekend 👍
i rarely watch hour long vids on YT, I gotta say this was very interesting
A LITTLE TIP THAT WE USE ALL THE TIME... GO TO "SETTINGS" AND THEN "PLAYBACK SPEED" AND PICK A FASTER SPEED SETTING THAT'S COMFORTABLE FOR YOU!
IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO WATCH ALL THE "EXPLORER" VIDEOS ON UA-cam AND NOT GO CRAZY WITH BOREDOM!!! : )
GOOD LUCK
Good afternoon.. Well what can I say brought back lots of memories for me as a plymouth Stonehouse boy my self.. The place has lights that come on at night on the top so the battery's on the roof are live it's also used as a weather station that's what the modern instruments are solor panels.. As for the big wooden thing like a ships mask.. It is because it was classed as a royal navy like a ship... Im surprised the the warship didn't see you through binoculars and warn the river police... That's why the sounded there horn.. As for the rooms they are magazines rooms the holes was where the bombs get lifted up to the top and loaded and yes the rusty round plates are where the big guns stood.. It's still used by plymouth jenny cliff diving club.. Just actually across the way.. Im surprised no one came over and nicked you for trespassing because its still in use but saying all that its been good.. Im in Jersey long way from Stonehouse plymouth now.. Lots of memories for me with the boys back in the day out there fishing and other things back in 70/80tys...Plymouth hoe boys.. My brother wilf. Nigle. Milo. And lads.. Good old days.. Anyway I could tell you lots of places to see & go.. You luv.. But I save that till next time.. Take care you lot.. I did really feel like I was back home for a while watching this.. Many thanks Devon pirate Paul 👍
Wish I was in the UK and could go exploring with you all! Looks like loads of fun!! Maybe someday!
@Samandjessexplore at 14:49 a old lister engine for pulling belts etc
I've only just found your channel, and am really enjoying your explores around some fantastic places! I used to be a volunteer helping to refurbish Bull Sands Fort in the mouth of the River Humber, and was very similar to this fort. We would regularly spend long weekends or sometimes a full week out there including during a Force 8 storm. Now that WAS an experience! Sometimes we would have the inshore lifeboat stop by for a cuppa, and occasionally an Air Sea Rescue Sea King helicopter would call, hover overhead, then depart.
Oh, and Jess is far too pretty to wear a bra! 😉😉
As a drone pilot myself, I love the aerial footage.
Really pleased to see you have a you tube channel ❤️ Keep up the awesome work Jess & Sam found you from Dark Arts 👌👌
Was SCUBA diving with Fort Bovisand from and off this Fort in 1997/1998. Had a wonder around the buildings back then.
I am completely loving your videos!!! my favorite of all, for real. The belt system in this one was their power supply before electric motors were invented. I've only seen one in my life, thats the second one, most were taken out as everything was converted to electric motors. It looks like this one may have been used even after the motors were being used. the belt systems were usually ran off of steam engines but there was a big deisel engine in there, I wonder if that may have been a later version of belt power. ?? its interesting for sure... well to me its amazing, thank you so much
The big engines here, were obviously before, during and after WWII, when that technology was around.
Water pressure powered Hydraulic Lift Cylinders are in cartridge stores down below at side of shell lift used to raise shells and cartridges up to guns, wire ropes are missing. Gun battery rooms have been repurposed because wood walls are built over the cannon traversing rails in floors of batteries.
It breaks my heart people have to ruin things with the paint. Thanks for another great video.
Wow not been used since 1976! Can't wait to see this,reminder is on 👍🏻
Me too!!!
I grew up in saltash and have lived in Plymouth for the last 4 years but I’ve never heard of it 😆
IV lived Plymouth all my life and never new it was even there aswell lol
Great video really interesting to watch
400 volts: military power. Pretty cool workshop for making repairs on the facility. The powerful smell of oil is probably someone accessing a bunker of diesel fuel for their project. Remarkably good condition probably to maintain the weather/navigation aides on the roof. Most amazingly it has bolted on iron armor, an upgrade before the First World War to cope with rifled naval guns and their increasingly devastating firepower.Lovely old hit-or-miss motor, very slow rpms but the torque would snap your arm off like a matchstick should your sleeves get caught in the flywheel! These old single cylinder motors would run on anything-grease, paraffin, alcohol! The abundance of generators is probably a Second World War addition, necessary for the the tracking and training of large anti aircraft batteries. BTW, did that warship turn and face the Fort while you were topside?
great video and commentary!
Bet those engines were used to move the cannons, or guns. Awesome setup! I love old places, thanks for a great video!
Generate electricity for lighting and power. These forts were all self contained apart from fresh food and water.
I did my commercial diver training there with fort bovi sand dive school in the 1990s
I've always wondered what this was, thankyou for the content🙏
This would make an amazing base for sea cadets. They could have the renovation and upkeep of the place as a project and it would act as a great training and familiarization location.
Think the cables at 52.23 r probably divers umbilical cords. That provided air, communications an hot water if needed for deep dives
excellent! well done and so interesting!
Thanks for posting, this is very interesting (No wow's I promise).
I'd love to be able to stay in some of these places for a few days/nights. to write and paint in.
I get the same feeling with the more remote lighthouses etc. Thanks again.
That wasn't just an ordinary teddy at 50;56, he is actually the Caretaker. Normally, he patrols the upper and lower levels day or night and wistfully looks out to sea, waiting for relief - which never comes.
On his lonely vigils of the night, he longs for a proper owner, but since the fort's last Commander forgot him when he retired and left. Now his only company, is the Cook, (the woodlouse seen earlier).The teddy can only ever leave, IF someone asks him ""you the Caretaker"? They are then doomed to take over.
@@jackharrison6771 Brilliant suggestion, but I definitely can't take over from the *Caretaker*, as I have another more pressing need, to gather up, going backwards in "Time", which looks like it could be, a job for Eternity !
@@noggin48 Haha. OK. I've published five books since 2017,and I can feel the ideas pouring in. Alas- being disabled I wouldn't get up there. Jack.
Woah Jesse nerves of steel🐺
Great explore!!! Big kahumas to both of you for climbing to the top of that mast... #PyrateRulz
Fairly sure the room with the "smoked" appearance was actually just choked with black mold. Great video guys. You always choose good spots.
WOW he said as he looked at the door - WOW he said as he looked at the window - WOW he said when he saw the floor - WOW what an interesting commentary ! Other than that - very interesting !
Couldn't have put it better myself WOW ! Must have said it once a minute.
@@johnfuller7016 It is a term, which comes from a particular generation, like "Crikey", "Varda", "Good Greif" or "Bloody Hell", it is nearly always, an Eternal Boi's term, as most of us boi's have at least a passing interest, in technical detail, which is sadly lacking in most of the younger male population of today, in 2021.
The construction date for the fort is before diesel engines where avalable so I think this place would have been originally steam powered.
You are right about the steam power, the belt system in there was ran from the steam engine to machinery to turn spindles before electric motors were invented. I've only seen one like it in tact. I'm guessing the generator was there to provide electric as they began to use motors in the later years. Looks like they had some extra motors
Just subbed to you @SamandJess, brilliant videos and you got a great mentor in Matt from Secret Vaults setting you in the good tracks to come in your own right, keep up the good work xx
Fascinating stuff - Well worthy of a thumbs up from me..
Jeez Sam,shit the bed man,you walking out on the metal arm,kudos to you for that,and it was windy. Really fascinating place but creepy too. Wonder what it was like when it was in service? Great views up top though,gorgeous day.
@13.29 is that a picture or face in the window.? Awesome content, thanks.
Awesome guys reminder is set 👍🏻
Those cables on the wall at 53 mins are Dive umbilical cords probably for if they needed to do maintinence. They bond together air lines, hot water lines, communication lines, camera lines, torch power lines & ropes to pull the diver back up if unconcious. The tanks would be a bail-out air supply if the tether got cut and the bank cylinders shown in the room just before 53mins would be the surface air source for the divers.
I will try to watch the video once its available today
Just Got Out of Work:( just saw the ending going to watch the replay!!!; )👍
Saw views Shut the Door!!! Fantastic!!!; )
Deja Vu after seeing the bald guy`s video :) Like to have been there just walking around :) You guys are lucky over there, having so many amazing plazas :)
Wow this place and Drakes Island would make great tourist attractions, in the old days you could walk on the breakwater, I wonder why it stopped. I’d love to know more about the history of it. I know it’s military but there still must be more to it. I mean how was it even built?
The breakwater fort was still being used in the 80s and 90s. I know that because my father worked there for Plymouth ocean projects and I also went there, it was still busy at the time
The metal object they thought was a radar reflector is actually less exciting, it’s a magnetic test piece. They also did a lot of underwater welding training there.
I love Jessica
I had to retake when scrolling... Living in Plymouth for 7years and never heard of this
wauw amazing site reminds me, referring to that locked door and open window to videos i've seen from Tino Struckmann ( guy who visits ww1 and ww2 forts ) he sees the same alot, except he also finds for some reaon alot of tires in them, well being sea forts no use for that ;) keep on going hooked to you guys cheers from Holland, about those engines Tino has vistit the Maginot forts in France you will be amazed whats all in their
one of those forts was used for the filming of doctor who and the sea devils in 1972 ...
Go do Portland Breakwater Fort next.
Brilliant..grande..
remarkably seagull free
No Seagulls, well did you see any chips and ice cream, with not a bin-bag in sight, on top of that, nesting on those roofs, would be for much of the time, too damn hostile to their chicks. The transportation of nest material, is too far away from land. Living in a town that calls it's football team, Seagulls, as well as my best friend being "Stu of the Gulls", I speak with insight and Gnosis :)
Great video 👍
COOL stuff subscribed
Taking safety precautions as far as enclosed spaces goes I see?
That was cool thanks keep safe
Ilike the description of mechanical advantage.
i think you were looking out at Fort Picklecombe in the early part of the video wondering what that other fort like structure was
All those lifts are ammunition hoists, from the magazine on the lower levels.
Out at the lighthouse there are a bunch of boxes just under the water at the back
same music as the flight channel nice (what is it by the way?)
Fantastic. Have subscribed! What drone do you use?
Wicked, glad your enjoying the videos! Thanks for the sub! We use a mavic mini! Its superb!
I wouldn't spend the night there .
Great vid
You didn't find the spiral staircase that goes down till the old ammunition storage and underwater exit
Used to have signs up saying no tresspassing
They obviously blew away lol
noggin48 ha ha ha love it!
Used to dive it in the 1970s.plenty of oerlikon rounds.A mate innocently left a couple under my car to dry!!!
Love your vids. Love jess lack of bras more.
Yikes! Now my knees hurt too. What were so many engines for? Certainly some for generating electricity. ??? Block and tackle to move and lift. From Bakersfield California USA.
Damm I always wondered what was in there.
stood on that beam my legs went funny!
The cables etc coiled on the wall was an UMBILICAL.
Swimming in wellies can be quite difficult.
Exactly!
the lift... the cylinder looks like n early hydraulic cylinder using salt water. the wire is wrapped around both ends of the cylinder and secured at each end when the cylinder expands it pulls the cart up because its the only part that can move.
I think the driver stuff is for underwater welding
Would've been an amazing video if you 2 had filmed it alone.
watched 11 minutes of the other persons video and was so happy to see a link to this one, swapped immediately.....
you didnt find the tunnels that go to bovisand piclecombe fort and the breakwater guys ....... make another video and find them