Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Circa 1940. Massive reinforced concrete testing tank adjoined to 3-storey 11 bay building.

TANK: 100ft long by 10ft wide, 40ft deep, 13-bay with slightly recessed and buttressed N elevation, further large double buttress projecting from W elevation. Coping and railings to parapet walkway. Control rooms and launch mechanism, including hoist, still in situ on flat roof to E of tank.

INTERIOR: large viewing hall to internal (S) elevation with glazed wall of small pane glazing set between buttresses and caged ladders. Numbered bays and rails at ground.

Statement of Special Interest

Constructed to monitor the underwater trajectory of anti-submarine weaponry, the testing tank at Strone camp is unique in Scotland and one of only two examples known to exist in Britain. This highly distinctive and technically innovative structure is particularly notable for its massive buttressing and the completeness of the machinery still in-situ.

The tank played a critical part in Naval warfare development during the Second World. By 1940, when the outcome of the war remained far from certain, the need for accurate weaponry was acute with German U-boats posing a major threat to trans-Atlantic shipping. Prior to 1940, it was possible to gauge the trajectory of anti-submarine weapons in the air but the path taken once they hit the water was less predictable. The tank was constructed as a direct response to this problem. Each internal bay within the tank was numbered and underwater cameras used to record the progress of missiles through the water.

The weapons to be tested were propelled by rocket driven carriage along a 100ft rail at the E end of the structure and launched into the tank. The railway was hinged in order to allow simulation of firing from different trajectories. The rail is no longer in place but concrete stumps to the E mark its starting point.

Anti-submarine mortar bombs such as the 'Hedge-Hog' and the 'Squid' proved to be war-winning weapons when used by escorts against U-boats in the latter part of the war. Both relied on knowledge of the bombs' trajectory in water to accurately prosecute a sonar contact. Three inch rockets fired from aircraft were aimed short of a surfaced U-boat so that the known underwater trajectory would curve upwards before striking the hull. A wide variety of other weaponry including the 'homing torpedo' may also have been tested in the tank.

There is a misconception that Barnes Wallace made use of the tank for testing his 'bouncing' bombs. This was not the case and in fact the two operations were in competition for resources. The tank is no longer in use while the adjoining building is used for army and police training.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.