Loch Long Torpedo Range

[legoff]

Just returned from a week on the banks of Lock Long were i came across this abandoned Torpedo Range, when i spoke to the local folk they informed me that it had also been an Ice Factory and plans were afoot to turn it into a marina but they had been saying that for years

Info provideed by Secret Wiki Scotland

http://www.secretscotland.org.uk/ind...ngTorpedoRange

The Loch Long Torpedo Range operated on the loch from 1912 to 1986. The abandoned Admiralty buildings, pier, and slipway remained on the west shore of the loch, opposite the village of Arrochar, until 2007, when demolition of the site began, and it was also subject to destruction by fire.

Originally an Admiralty facility, the range became the Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range, later referred to as both the Loch Long Torpedo Range, and the Arrochar Torpedo Range.

Activity at the range reached a peak during World War II, with more than 12,000 torpedoes being fired down the loch in 1944.

Torpedoes had already been in use for some years before the Loch Long range was proposed, since at least 1866 in the self-propelled style now generally described by the term, and since around 1800 (and even much earlier) to describe any type of secret, or hidden explosive device.

The Argyllshire Standard and The Herald of August 1907 carried articles about plans to set up such a range, and concern of its monopolising the loch, prompting the local County Council to lodge an objection to the range, not assisted by the long summer recess enjoyed by Parliament. Concerns expressed included potential damage to passing vessels, disruption to local fishing, and tourist reluctance to visit such an area. An enquiry was to be held to allow dissenters to give voice to their opposition. The enquiry did not find in favour of the objectors, as the history of the range indicates that the contract was awarded to McAlpine, who began work in 1908, and the RNTR (Royal Navy Torpedo Range) was handed the range over to the Royal Navy in 1912.

In 1915, Augusto Alfredo Roggen was executed at the Tower of London, by men of the 3rd Battalion, Scots Guards, after having been found guilty of spying on the range during World War I.




















































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