It is one of the many Palmerston Forts built on the island to protect it in response to a perceived French invasion.

[1] It suffered with problems arising from subsidence shortly after it was completed and was in danger of collapsing over the cliff.

In 1876 one 64pr was removed from the left flank of the battery and this position was replaced with an earth traverse to prevent enfilade fire from ships at anchor in the Culver Cliff area.

The remaining 64pr guns were fitted to blocked-up traversing platforms firing over the parapet instead of through embrasures.

[4] Today nothing remains of the battery apart from a few pieces of concrete projecting from the cliff edge.