NIIMC cars add some colour to Grey Point Fort

On Sunday 28th June 2015 NIIMC members decided to combine our car run with a touch of history as we paid a visit to Grey Point Fort at Helen’s Bay. But first of all of course we had to stop for our mid morning snack/early lunch so the Pit Stop Cafe, beside Eddie Irvine Sports in Bangor was our rendezvous point. Ian Craig had promised Ricky Ward a “speciality fry” if he made it along following his birthday celebrations the day before, but despite this being the ideal cure for a few too many shandies on Sturday night Rear Admiral Ward didn’t report for duty (even though the visit to Grey Point Fort had been his idea!!)

After being well fed and watered club members and a few other very welcome friends headed the short distance in the direction of Crawfordsburn to visit the pentagonal fort which was built between 1904 and 1907 on land bought from the Marquess of Dufferin and Ava for £8,400.  Wing Commander (or is it Wing Nut) McCune let Stephen Skelly lead in his bright orange Barchetta due to Stephen’s local knowledge of the Fort (he used to play there with his friends as a young boy).  On arrival we were given a warm welcome by one of the volunteers, Thomas who allowed us to bring our cars into the Fort area.

And now for the history bit  – Grey Point Fort is one of the best preserved early 20th century coastal forts anywhere in the British Isles. Grey Point Fort houses a most unusual hands-on military museum. It also hosts a number of special commemorative events during the year. The Fort was completed in 1907 with at its heart two massive 6 inch diameter guns which commanded the entrance to Belfast Lough.During the First and Second World Wars the role of Grey Point Fort was to protect Belfast Lough from naval attack. When a ship entered the Lough it would have been contacted by the coastal defence and asked to make itself known. If there was no answer the ship would be signalled to ‘Heave to or be sunk.’ If the ship still maintained its course or again failed to reply, a plugged round would have been fired across the ships bows. If there was still no response the next round to be fired would have been a high explosive shell.

Whilst it was a key part of Belfast’s defences against naval attack, it proved of limited value during the German air attacks on the city in 1941. There are still two magnificent 23 feet long guns  situated at the Fort today. Visitors can also see the original observation post and three searchlight positions. Volunteers have created a great museum of military memorabilia, including medals, uniforms, photographs and weaponry from the First and Second World Wars. There is also a unique collection of radio equipment, together with a section devoted to the Titanic.

The visit was both interesting and informative and Thomas and his fellow volunteers have invited the Club back again at any stage for a private visit and tour which could perhaps even be combined with a barbeque. Anyone interested in learning more about Grey Point Fort visit the following websites;

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Grey-Point-Fort-Helens-Bay-P3124 or

http://www.greypointfort.magix.net/public/

Tim Logan
Club Secretary