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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1h

Bulbarrow is a great spot for a walk :)

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 17h

Problems with tagging today but #HillfortsWednesday

Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

#HillfortsWednesday
Between 1795-1816 the hillforts of #Dorset were part of a chain of visual shutter relay telegraph stations for the Admiralty connecting Plymouth to London. The chain included the high Hillforts of Lewesdon, Bulbarrow and Hambledon and at the racetrack by Badbury Rings
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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

Bankes then went straight to Sir James Graham, First Lord of the Admiralty which kicks the can so far down the road the proposed line is eventually superseded by electric telegraph and the station never built nor the land leased by Bankes. The warrren, racetrack and Rings left undistrubed
14/14

Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

5 November 1830: Charles Jones (solicitor Admiralty) to Bankes “It being expected that the piece of Ground selected for a Semaphore Station at Badbury Rings will be wanted for the erection of the Semaphore House in the Spring of next year, I have prepared the Draft _ of a lease thereof …. “
13/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

21 and 25 August 1827: Goddard to Bankes(practical) notifying Bankes of Goddard’s imminent and then actual arrival to lay boundary stones to mark the site.
12/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

7 October 1826:  Goddard to Bankes(conciliatory) “I am directed to apply to you again requesting that you will be pleased to signify to me the terms upon which you may think fit to be consenting to the occupation thereof –“  (i.e. Badbury Rings)
11/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

7 October 1826:  Goddard to Bankes(conciliatory) “I am directed to apply to you again requesting that you will be pleased to signify to me the terms upon which you may think fit to be consenting to the occupation thereof –“  (i.e. Badbury Rings)
10/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

16 June 1826:  Goddard to Bankes(frustrated) so that building the semaphore station during the fine weather of the summer, which is now ‘fleeting past’.   The Admiralty still wants to purchase the land, but offers an option to buy-back in the event of the station becoming redundant.
9/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

24 May 1826: Bankes’ to Mr Barrow of the Admiralty “I continue to consider the Telegraph upon Badbury Rings as a great annoyance . . .”  However, despite refusing to sell, Bankes gives reluctant consent to leasing the land to the Admiralty for an annual rent of £20.
8/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

19 May 1826: Goddard to Henry Bankes. The proposed signal station would be a modest affair accommodating one Lieutenant of the Navy and one or two signalmen:  “. . . the Party will have the effect of so many Gamekeepers inasmuch as Poachers will be kept off by the appearance of the station.”
7/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

The admiralty earmarked Badbury Rings hill proper to be home a new Popham stations incurring the wrath of owner, Henry Bankes. He preferred options at Shapwick down or Strawbarrow as less disruptive of his game reserves on Badbury Warren and out of view from Kingston Lacey. Letters were sent!
6/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

The Murray stations were replaced by Popham Stations, a less complex and less weather dependent signalling system on a single 30 foot pole from 1822. Each semaphore station was manned by a retired navy lieutenant and an observer often a retired sailor of the lieutenants choosing.
5/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

The shutter stations were temporary wooden huts, and at the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars they were no longer necessary, and were closed down by the Admiralty in March 1816 only to be replaced in 1822 with a newer signal system
4/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

The initial system was rendered useless by moderate winds blowing over the large boards until renowned Blandford clockmaker, Henry Ward stepped forward. On seeing the tower at Badbury he devised a clutch spring system to remedy some of these shortcomings and make keep the signal boards steady
3/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

An incredible! 6 signals could be sent per minute over a viewable distance of 10-12 miles by displaying boards above the station using a four man crew to send and repeat signals between the stations. two men to use the pulleys to set the signal with two others looking each way with a telescope
2/14

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Chris H @chris-bh.bsky.social · 1d

#HillfortsWednesday
Between 1795-1816 the hillforts of #Dorset were part of a chain of visual shutter relay telegraph stations for the Admiralty connecting Plymouth to London. The chain included the high Hillforts of Lewesdon, Bulbarrow and Hambledon and at the racetrack by Badbury Rings
1/14