Drake's Island, Artillery battery and island in Plymouth Sound, England
Drake's Island is a fortified island in Plymouth Sound featuring military structures and limestone cliffs rising from the water. The site includes gun batteries, barracks, and defensive installations built across different periods.
The island was first fortified in the late 1500s and later became a key defense point against foreign navies. Major upgrades took place in the 1800s to strengthen harbor protection.
The first recorded submarine incident occurred at Drake's Island in 1774 when carpenter John Day perished while testing an experimental diving chamber.
The island is generally closed to visitors but occasionally opens for guided tours. Plan ahead as access is limited and depends on current conditions and restoration work.
A network of underground passages connects the various gun batteries across the island, carved through the limestone. These tunnels reveal the sophisticated engineering approach used in 19th-century harbor defense.
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