VERNE PRISON AND ARMY CITADEL
Verne Citadel was started in 1847 as a camp for prisoners building Portland harbour's breakwaters and was extended during the 1860s. The first sixty-four prisoners were landed on 24 November 1848 at Castletown from HM Steamer Driver. The Verne Citadel was designated by Captain W Crossman of the Royal Engineers and enclosed an area of fifty-six acres. A full workforce existed of one hundred and eighty prisoners at the peak of building the Breakwater. Following WWII the Citadel was used for training newly conscripted recruits of the corps of the Royal Engineers. The moat was used for training in the use of explosives. In 1949 the Citadel reverted to its former use as a prison.
Please click here to see pictures of the building of the Verne Citadel. Please click here to see pictures of civilians at the Verne. For pictures of the army at The Verne click here and click here to see pictures of the Verne as a prison.
BUILDING THE VERNE CITADEL
![jh0702 jh0702](../assets/images/jh0702.jpg)
VIEW OF EAST WEARES, TAKEN FROM THE VERNE. THE TRACK AT THE FOOT OF THE CLIFF WAS A RAILWAY USED TO TRANSPORT STONE FROM NICODEMUS KNOB QUARRY.
![JH0708 JH0708](../assets/images/JH0708.jpg)
CONSTRUCTION OF SOUTH GATE BRIDGE
![JH0714 JH0714](../assets/images/JH0714.jpg)
AERIAL VIEW OF THE VERNE GARRISON.
![JH0725 JH0725](../assets/images/JH0725.jpg)
PORTLAND COPY OF OLD PRINT, VERNE BEING CONSTRUCTED. NOTE THE RAILWAY RUNNING BENEATH THE TOP CLIFF LINE.
![LC0959 LC0959](../assets/images/LC0959.jpg)
VERNE CITADEL WEST DITCH COUNTERSCARP.
CONVICTS BUILDING THE COUNTERSCARP (OUTSIDE WALL OF DITCH).
VERNE CITADEL NORTH FLANK
![JH0707 JH0707](../assets/images/JH0707.jpg)
NORTH ENTRANCE OF VERNE 1877. THE NORTH FLANKS ALSO APPEAR IN THE PREVIOUS PICTURE.
![LC0921 LC0921](../assets/images/LC0921.jpg)
SOUTH WEST VERNE DITCH, SOUTH WEST FLANK FINISHED ON WEST SIDE. RUBBISH STILL TO BE CLEARED FROM DITCH - 1868
CIVILIAN PICTURES
GROUP PICTURE AT THE VERNE.
FRONT L - R:- ROBERT JOHN HINDE,
REAR L - R:- ?. ?. ?. THOMAS WALLIS HINDE, ?, ?, REG MOORE, WILLIAM FLEW SAMPSON HINDE. ?.
![JH0818 JH0818](../assets/images/JH0818.jpg)
GROUP PICTURE AT THE VERNE.
REAR L - R:- ROBERT JOHN HINDE, ?. THOMAS WALLIS HINDE?, WILLIAM FLEW SAMPSON HINDE.
ARMY PICTURES
![LC0950 LC0950](../assets/images/LC0950.jpg)
VERNE CITADEL LOOKING NORTH
![LC0954 LC0954](../assets/images/LC0954.jpg)
VERNE CITADEL EAST RAMPARTS
![DR04359A DR04359A](../assets/images/DR04359A.jpg)
PORTLAND PRISON CATHOLIC CHURCH
1ST BATTALION GREEN HOWARDS ON THE MAIN SQUARE OF THE VERNE CITADEL, PORTLAND
SOLDIERS PARADING AT THE VERNE. UNKNOWN DATE
CASTLETOWN PORTLAND, VERNE FORT IN BACKGROUND
VERNE CITADEL 2ND LINCOLN REGIMENT OCTOBER 10TH 1937
START OF CIVIC WELCOME OCTOBER 10TH 1937. GUN IN PICTURE POSSIBLY CAPTURED GERMAN GUN.
![JH0628 JH0628](../assets/images/JH0628.jpg)
CASTLETOWN AND THE VERNE
C. H. COLLINS STEAM COAL MERCHANT IN BUILDING NOW OCCUPIED BY THE ALBERT (GREEN SHUTTERS)
ST. GEORGE'S DAY, 25/04/1898 VERNE CITADEL.
2ND. BATTALION NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. ON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OUTSIDE REGIMENTAL HQ AT VERNE CITADEL.
2ND NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. VERNE CITADEL. TROOPING THE COLOURS.
INSIDE VERNE (RIFLE RANGES ETC.) 1877
SOLDIERS AT SOUTH ENTRANCE OF VERNE CITADEL.
ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS STANDING GUARD OTHER SOLDIERS ROYAL ARTILLERY CIRCA 1913
![DR04365 DR04365](../assets/images/DR04365.jpg)
SOLDIERS EXITING THE VERNE CITADEL. A MODERN PICTURE IS SHOWN BELOW
![PA220012LoRes PA220012LoRes](../assets/images/PA220012LoRes.jpg)
THE VERNE BARRACKS C1906
GENERAL'S INSPECTION AT VERNE BARRACKS 1927 1ST GLOUCESTERS
PRESENTATION OF THE KINGS CUP 1925 GUNNERY COMPETITION
565 (WILTS) ARMY TROOPS COY RE (T) TAKEN IN FRANCE 1918
SEATED 6TH FROM LEFT - JOE HIBBS (SNR)
1ST RIW 2ND FROM LEFT - WILL STONE
1ST ROW 3RD FROM LEFT JACK (SPRINGFIELD) PEARCE
BACK ROW 3RD FROM LEFT HARRY HIBBS (SNR)
PREPARING GUN FOR FIRING AT HIGH ANGLE BATTERY EAST CLIFF 1899
PREPARING GUN AT HIGH ANGLE BATTERY
THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHTS OWN SLIGO MILITIA, THIS ARTILLERY MILITIA IS MENTIONED IN THE RECORDS OF THE DORSET CORPS OF ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY (RGA) VOLUNTEERS, AND APPEARS IN A PHOTOGRAPH IN THE "NAVY AND ARMY" ILLUSTRATED, MANNING THE VERNE'S GUNS IN 1900.
2ND NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS BAND (ST GEORGES DAY) 1898
2ND NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS BAND ?1898
THEY ARE WEARING DIFFERENT HEAD DRESS TO ANOTHER PICTURE OF 2ND NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
2ND BATTALION THE PRINCE ALBERT’S SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY 3RD NOVEMBER 1899
ARRIVAL OF 2nd ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS. FROM INDIA MARCH 1914. THEY LEFT PORTLAND AUGUST 1914. HEAD OF COLUMN ASCENDING VERNE HILL
![JH0706 JH0706](../assets/images/autogen/JH0706.jpg)
LARGE BUILDINGS INSIDE VERNE 1877
![JH0864 JH0864](../assets/images/JH0864.jpg)
GROUP ARMY PICTURE 1916
WALTER CRISPIN STONE 1884-1944 FRONT RIGHT SEATED
![CH0218 CH0218](../assets/images/CH0218.jpg)
THE 2ND WARWICKS LEAVING BARRACKS
![JH0735 JH0735](../assets/images/JH0735.jpg)
PRIVATE, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP 1914 FIRST CLASS ORDERLY.
![JH0742 JH0742](../assets/images/JH0742.jpg)
SOLDIERS RETURNING TO BARRACKS 1920/30
![JH0740 JH0740](../assets/images/JH0740.jpg)
SOLDIERS EXITING THE SOUTH ENTRANCE OF THE VERNE
![JH0720 JH0720](../assets/images/JH0720.jpg)
VERNE HILL 1919. LOOKING TOWARD THE VERNE CITADEL.
THE TWO FIGURES ARE MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCES.
BELOW IS A MODERN VIEW TAKEN FROM THE SAME POSITION
![IMG_0636 IMG_0636](../assets/images/IMG_0636.JPG)
![JH0743 JH0743](../assets/images/JH0743.jpg)
77TH REGIMENT 1870, POSING WITH CUP
![JH0746 JH0746](../assets/images/JH0746.jpg)
2ND BATTALION THE PRINCE ALBERT’S SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY 3RD NOVEMBER 1899
![JH0748 JH0748](../assets/images/JH0748.jpg)
SERGEANT ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS 1890
COLONEL INDIAN STAFF CORPS, LIEUTENANT 1ST BATTALION ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS, LIEUTENANT ROYAL ENGINEERS, AT THE VERNE
TYPICAL LAYOUT FOR KIT INSPECTION 1896
1ST BATTALION GREEN HOWARDS 1935, THE REGIMENTAL COLOUR.
![JH0752 JH0752](../assets/images/JH0752.jpg)
1ST BATTALION GREEN HOWARDS "ALMA DAY" AT VERNE 1935
MUSICIANS WITH THE RUSSIAN DRUMS CAPTURED IN THE CRIMEA, "BATTLE OF THE ALMA" 1854
1ST BATTALION GREEN HOWARDS "ALMA DAY" 1935. HANDING OVER THE COLOUR
TROOPING THE COLOUR 1935. 1ST BATTALION GREEN HOWARDS
THE GREEN HOWARDS FAREWELL INSPECTION 1937
![JH0758 JH0758](../assets/images/JH0758.jpg)
THE 2ND WARWICKS LEAVING BARRACKS
![JH0759 JH0759](../assets/images/JH0759.jpg)
2ND BATTALION BUFFS (EAST KENT REGIMENT) CHURCH PARADE 1925
SOLDIERS AT THE VERNE
ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY, 12 POUNDER GUN DETACHMENT 1891
![DR04226 DR04226](../assets/images/DR04226.jpg)
RAILWAY STATION AND GASWORKS AT BOTTOM OF PICTURE WITH THE VERNE CITADEL IN THE DISTANCE. THE PICTURE BELOW SHOWS PART OF THE SCENE TODAY WHERE THE GASWORKS STOOD.
![PA220032LoRes PA220032LoRes](../assets/images/PA220032LoRes.jpg)
VERNE PRISON
![DR04303 DR04303](../assets/images/DR04303.jpg)
CONVICTS BUILDING THE GATEWAY TO BACK OF PRISON.
THIS PLACE NO LONGER HAS GATES AND THE CENTRE PILLAR HAS BEEN REMOVED, AND IS CALLED THE HOLE IN THE WALL BY GROVE PEOPLE, NOTE ALL THE PILES OF STONE AT THE TOP OF PICTURE.
![DR04305 DR04305](../assets/images/DR04305.jpg)
CONVICT QUARRIES AT THE GROVE.
![DR04306 DR04306](../assets/images/DR04306.jpg)
CONVICTS QUARRYING AT THE VERNE. NOTE THE STONE JACK
![DR04307 DR04307](../assets/images/DR04307.jpg)
CONVICTS QUARRYING.
![DR04308 DR04308](../assets/images/DR04308.jpg)
CONVICTS QUARRYING AT THE GROVE
![DR04309 DR04309](../assets/images/DR04309.jpg)
CONVICTS WORKING
![DR04310 DR04310](../assets/images/DR04310.jpg)
CONVICTS MARCHING TO WORK. TOURISTS WOULD TRAVEL FROM AS FAR AS LONDON TO SPEND A DAY WATCHING THE PRISONERS WORKING.
![DR04334 DR04334](../assets/images/DR04334.jpg)
CONVICTS AT PORTLAND RAILWAY STATION
![RF0128 RF0128](../assets/images/RF0128.jpg)
STONE DRESSING YARD, CONVICTS AT WORK.
![DR04338 DR04338](../assets/images/DR04338.jpg)
PRISONERS AT ALMA TERRACE 1893.
BEING OBSERVED BY CHILDREN AS WELL AS WARDENS.
![GG0310 GG0310](../assets/images/GG0310.jpg)
VIEW OF PORTLAND PRISON - UNKNOWN DATE
![JC03127 JC03127](../assets/images/JC03127.jpg)
CONVICTS BEING SEARCHED AT THE PRISON, PORTLAND
CONVICTS WORKING IN PRISON QUARRIES, PRE 1900.
IN 1890's CONVICT CROWTHER HELD A PROTEST ATOP A CRANE
![RF0129 RF0129](../assets/images/RF0129.jpg)
BLACKSMITH'S SHOP, PRISON
CARPENTERS SHOP, AND STONE CRUSHING AND MAKING MORTAR, AT PRISON
![RF0131 RF0131](../assets/images/RF0131.jpg)
THE KITCHEN, PORTLAND PRISON c1900
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