site of accomodation blocks, Craster radar station, Dunstanburgh

Summary

As well as the TxRx block and the Standby Set House, there would have been other associated structures, such as accommodation for the operators, an ablutions block, administration buildings and storage.

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Description

As well as the TxRx block and the Standby Set House, there would have been other associated structures, such as accommodation for the operators, an ablutions block, administration buildings and storage. The remains of these buildings still survive at Craster in the form of hut bases and ground level foundations.

The main accommodation blocks and associated structures are located to the south of the Standby Set House in two discrete, but adjacent, groups. The first group is located on top of The Heughs, and consists of a pair of hut bases with concrete retaining kerbs and in situ holdfasts. The holdfasts indicate that the plinths supported superstructures, probably Nissen huts. They measure approximately 11m by 4.4m (36 feet by 14.4 feet) and 10m by 4m (32.8 feet by 13.1 feet) respectively and are orientated north-south. They are constructed on level platforms which have been artificially cut into the natural slope. The concrete edging of the eastern base still survives intact on three sides, to a height of three courses (c 0.75m). Only the concrete edging along the western side of the lower hut base survives. It is possible that these huts served as administration buildings, given that they are closer to the operational buildings.

To the east of this block is a small rectilinear concrete plinth, measuring approximately 2.5m by 1.8m. There are
a number of holdfasts set into the concrete and the aerial photograph shows a small building on it. The holdfasts indicate that the plinth held a superstructure, presumably of corrugated iron similar to that of the Nissen huts. As such it
would have been no more than a fairly insubstantial structure (not strong enough to mount a radar on) and probably accommodated ancillary equipment, such as a fire bucket or sand for smothering a fire. Given the electricity and quantities of fuel in close proximity on the site, the risk of fire was high and thus provision needed to be made for this
eventuality. It has been queried whether this may have been the position of a fixed Gibson Box (Beamish 1993, 2), but this is unlikely as it is set down below the crest of the high ground, making it an unsuitable situation for a radar. It is much more likely that this was a store. However, it is too small for a fuel store, which would have required a more substantial structure.

The second main group of buildings is located in the quarry to the west of the first group. This group consists of the remains of five structures. These are the remains of the living accommodation and ablutions block of the CD/
CHL operating staff (subsequently re-used by the POW inmates). There are few additional surviving details associated with the four huts (N3-N6), with the exception of concrete steps adjacent to the front edges of the northernmost and middle ones, which indicate that the entrances were at the west end. The southernmost structure is different in form to the other four and appears to have been the ablutions block serving the huts. It measures approximately 15m by 4m and its outline is mostly turf-covered but in places there is concrete flooring exposed and imprints of small sub-divisions, which may indicate toilet or shower cubicles. [SNA63001]

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