Site of probable Second World War ancilliary 'Diver' site buildings, east of Small Gains Farm, Foulness Island (EHER 82596)

Now destroyed. Three buildings are visible on 1946 aerial photographs, two of which are almost certainly related to World War II or immediate post-war military activity on Foulness Island. It is possible that these buildings relate to the Diver site located to the north-east (EHER 82598). Alternatively, they may be associated with the post-war use of Foulness Island by the Armament Research Department (see EHER 46720). The largest of the three buildings appears to have a pitched roof, suggesting it could be a nineteenth century farm building (EHER 82592) but this is not very clear on the available photographs.

NRHE data transfer: Three buildings are visible on 1946 aerial photographs in an area identified on a map of 1840 as the site of the settlement or farm of Smallports (EHER 82592). They are located on the western side of Foulness Island in an area owned by the government and used during World War II by the Armament Research Department and subsequently by the Atomics Weapons Research Establishment (EHER 46720). It is possible that these buildings relate to World War II activity on Foulness Island, either associated with post-war ballistics testing, or with the Diver site located to the north east (EHER 82598). The largest of the three buildings appears to have a pitched roof, suggesting it could be a nineteenth century farm building but this is not very clear on the available photographs. The other two buildings have curved roofs and are therefore almost certainly related to military activity. The buildings measure 8m by 4m, 3m by 2m and 6m by 3m and are located at TQ 9713 9133. <1> NRHE summary description: Smallports. Three buildings are visible on 1946 aerial photographs in an area identified on maps of 1840 and 1873 as the site of the possible farm or small settlement of 'Smallports'. They are located on the western side of Foulness Island in an area owned by the government and used during World War II by the Armament Research Department and subsequently by the Atomics Weapons Research Establishment (EHER 46720). It is possible that these buildings relate to World War II activity on Foulness Island, either associated with post-war weapons testing, or with the Diver site located to the north east (EHER 82598). The largest of the three buildings appears to have a pitched roof, suggesting it could be a nineteenth century farm building but this is not very clear on the available photographs. The other two buildings have curved roofs and are therefore almost certainly related to World War II or immediate post war military activity.