CROWS NEST CAMP ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT
THE ESPLANADE QUEENSCLIFF, QUEENSCLIFFE BOROUGH
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Statement of Significance
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CROWS NEST CAMP ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT - History
In 1890, the Defence department purchased (from Travers Adamson) the two story waterfront building known as Maytone. From 1910 – 1947, it was used predominantly as an officer mess, except for a short period where it became the Commanding Officers Quarters for three years from 1916 (Tate, 1982: 75, 109). In 1946, Maytone was used converted to a married quarters for officers of the Australian Staff College (Tate, 1982: 104).
The attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 saw the realisation of the potential of air power for long distance attacks. Anti-aircraft guns were installed in the local football field, along with a 4 inch gun near Crows Nest Camp to combat this threat.
With the threat of war so close to home during WWII, proposal were made towards the end of the war for dual purpose lightweight guns for anti aircraft and small vessel deterrence, which were installed at the football ground and near Crows Nest. The operations at the Heads were scaled down by the end of the war, and Pt Nepean defences were declared redundant. In 1946 the guns were removed from Fort Queenscliff and it was converted to the Australian Staff College (Noble, 1979: 109: Perry, 1973:49; Hunt, 1999:24).
In 1942, two 4.7 quick firing guns were mounted at Crows Nest Battery. Both sets of guns had rear protection shields. In that same year, a sentry at Crows Nest was killed by an unknown person, who later fired on other soldiers. The threat of war appeared closer to home around this time, when enemy submarine and aircraft were sighted in the area (Tate, 1982: 97- 99,114,121).
There was a big gun emplacement behind Maytone (Guesthouse) during WWII (Werry, pers comms)
A cannon was still present in Crows Nest in the 1950s or 60s. The army moved it into the fort later on (Don Love).
CROWS NEST CAMP ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT - Interpretation of Site
Probably the 4.7" quick firing gun mountinstalled during WWII
Heritage Inventory Description
CROWS NEST CAMP ANTI AIRCRAFT GUN EMPLACEMENT - Heritage Inventory Description
Square concrete pad with a circular arrangement of raised iron bolts from the former gun mounting. Currently under the cover of a large coastal tree.
concrete pad, iron gun mount bolts, probable artefacts associated with former gun use
Archeological Potential: Excellent
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