South Walls is linked to Hoy by causeway; Longhope is the largest settlement on the two islands.

Excavation undertaken by Headland Archaeology proved that this battery had undergone two stages of development.

On recommendations made by the Admiralty the base was constructed alongside one of only three martello towers in Scotland;[3] the others being across the bay from Hackness at Crockness and the Tally Toor in Leith.

No guns were ever fired in anger from the battery and the excavated remains have been left for public display.

[5][6] An unusually high wave, in what were described in the enquiry as "maelstrom conditions", is considered to have caused the capsize.