(Hover over these three images to read information and click on image to enlarge)
In 1909, work commenced on the construction of Rosyth Naval Base. Up until this time the only naval base on Britain's Eastern seaboard was at Chatham, on the River Medway, hundreds of miles to the South.
It was the very existence of the new base at Rosyth that was to give Port Edgar its break onto the stage of British Naval History.
As early as 1911 the Admiralty had made enquiries regarding the use of Port Edgar as an oil fuel depot for Fleet Destroyers and other small craft.
In the Spring of 1916, the Admiralty took steps to officially acquire Port Edgar and surrounding land. (Warships and fleet tenders had been using the limited facilities at the port since the outbreak of war.)
This followed a decision to build a self- contained Torpedo Boat Destroyer Depot on the site. By early 1916 work had been progressing for some time to achieve this. The Navy's intention being to create a self -contained state of the art destroyer depot, providing berthing and shore support facilities for up to 52 destroyers. In fact by the base's completion date, up to 66 vessels could be accommodated.
It was the very existence of the new base at Rosyth that was to give Port Edgar its break onto the stage of British Naval History.
As early as 1911 the Admiralty had made enquiries regarding the use of Port Edgar as an oil fuel depot for Fleet Destroyers and other small craft.
In the Spring of 1916, the Admiralty took steps to officially acquire Port Edgar and surrounding land. (Warships and fleet tenders had been using the limited facilities at the port since the outbreak of war.)
This followed a decision to build a self- contained Torpedo Boat Destroyer Depot on the site. By early 1916 work had been progressing for some time to achieve this. The Navy's intention being to create a self -contained state of the art destroyer depot, providing berthing and shore support facilities for up to 52 destroyers. In fact by the base's completion date, up to 66 vessels could be accommodated.
Destroyers berthed, 1917 - SCRAN reference 000-000-602-118-R
The work required to achieve this was considerable and included the dredging of the harbor and the upgrading of the east breakwater. The seaward end was in a poor state of repair having been washed away over the years. It is believed that the stone to construct the original east breakwater which was probably well over 100 years old, was hewn from the freestone quarry which was situated immediately to the east of the current entrance to Port Edgar. The quarry became the "Pond" and years later was filled in to make way for the Forth Road Bridge. Berthing jetties would have to be built including "dolphins" to berth fueling tankers. Shore facilities would include barracks, workshops, a power generating station, a distilling plant and for the ship's crews, recreation and sporting facilities. The extent of the area as a whole, was the whole of Shore Road, from its junction with Hopetoun Road (excepting the schoolhouse) in the East, to its junction with Society Road and beyond, towards the fisheries in the West.
To provide the fleet of destroyers fueling requirements, an oil fuel depot was also built. Situated on the higher ground to the South East of the base, this would take the form of 4 giant oil tanks. They survived up until the late 1950's when they were demolished to make way for the construction of the Forth Road Bridge.
To provide the fleet of destroyers fueling requirements, an oil fuel depot was also built. Situated on the higher ground to the South East of the base, this would take the form of 4 giant oil tanks. They survived up until the late 1950's when they were demolished to make way for the construction of the Forth Road Bridge.
The destroyers at this time were supported by their depot ships. These vessels were large purpose built units fitted out with workshops, storerooms and spare parts.
They also carried trained expertise to rectify breakdowns and carry out maintenance. As well as engineering support, the depot ship had gunnery and torpedo experts aboard. Medical and dental facilities were available along with living accommodation as required by the destroyer crews.
Port Edgar would replace the depot ships, once completed all support staff and responsibilities would transfer ashore. About this time the naval dockyard at Rosyth was being completed. The Flag Officer for Scotland had been based aboard HMS Columbine, a converted vessel from the age of sail, since July 1913. Once the admiral and staff moved ashore at Rosyth, the Columbine was decommissioned and sold. The name Columbine was chosen as Port Edgar's new name once in commission and the newly completed destroyer depot was commissioned as HMS Columbine in December 1917.
They also carried trained expertise to rectify breakdowns and carry out maintenance. As well as engineering support, the depot ship had gunnery and torpedo experts aboard. Medical and dental facilities were available along with living accommodation as required by the destroyer crews.
Port Edgar would replace the depot ships, once completed all support staff and responsibilities would transfer ashore. About this time the naval dockyard at Rosyth was being completed. The Flag Officer for Scotland had been based aboard HMS Columbine, a converted vessel from the age of sail, since July 1913. Once the admiral and staff moved ashore at Rosyth, the Columbine was decommissioned and sold. The name Columbine was chosen as Port Edgar's new name once in commission and the newly completed destroyer depot was commissioned as HMS Columbine in December 1917.
The total number of sailors available including destroyer crews was some 6,000 men. Apart from the Metropolitan Police who were responsible for base security, Port Edgar was purely service manned.
Work on the base had been progressing for some considerable time prior to its official commissioning. It is likely that destroyers of the grand fleet were using the partially completed jetties as early as spring 1916. Certainly by the beginning of May there were at least 3 destroyer flotillas based on the Firth of Forth. Many of these vessels utilising the new Port Edgar facility were 'M' Class Destroyers.
Work on the base had been progressing for some considerable time prior to its official commissioning. It is likely that destroyers of the grand fleet were using the partially completed jetties as early as spring 1916. Certainly by the beginning of May there were at least 3 destroyer flotillas based on the Firth of Forth. Many of these vessels utilising the new Port Edgar facility were 'M' Class Destroyers.
In the early Summer of that year, the world witnessed that most epic of Naval Battles, Jutland. The grand fleet lost a total of 14 vessels, 8 of those were destroyers. Some of the dead and wounded were landed at Port Edgar after the battle. The wounded bound for the hospital at Butlaw. A number of dead are laid to rest in the local cemetery, see 'Commonwealth Games'.
"The Royal Navy At Port Edgar" –Peter A Collinson, 2004
© Queensferry History Group 2015
© Queensferry History Group 2015