The Shetland Dock Mystery - Castle Archdale, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Savo, Feb 18, 2011.

  1. Savo

    Savo Senior Member

    Theres a rock garden constructed by the Archdale family from rocks collected around the Lough Erne shore from in the early 1900’s. Its located outside the walled garden from the former “Big House” that is no longer and survived the constant changes of the area whilst an RAF Station. Every Spring a gentleman is hired to clean these stone off moss. Its tradition. I mention this because this local gentleman refers to the “Sheltands dock or pier” as the titanic quarter of Lower Lough Erne. He has a story or two to tell but will say nought to me about it.

    [​IMG]

    The Flying Boat Dock according to the tourist maps of Castle Archdale but to the old hands its referred to as the Shetlands Dock. According to my late Uncle who served with Coastal Command the dock area was never used during the war. I recall him saying that the dock was never completed before the war ended. Today it’s quite a structure and is promoted as a “deep water”, “beware”, “keep out of bounds” area of the current Castle Archdale which is understandable but it has a story to tell. What that story is I do not know. The Dock is massive in my opionion and to the uneducated like myself it was obviulsy a structure that was to be the next dtage in the development of Coastal Command. I’ve provided the pictures so can anyone add a story to it……………………………………………………………………over to you James S and coy !!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Savo

    Savo Senior Member

    The power of photo bucket !!!!! Stole, borrowed, copy righted infringed this remarkable image from another thread to show where the "dock" is on the water's edge of Castle Archdale to the ill informed surfer out there :p. Still looks as if she's "under construction" too. Cracker picture that. Priceless.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Aaran , this one dates from early 1945 - in May 44 the dock was not started so at a guess work kicked off in late 44 .
    I too was told that the dock was never used
    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/15763-some-war-time-views-castle-archdale-12.html
    See post 118.

    The cement pier at the left of the slipway is a good marker the wooden one used by tourists runs parallel to it.
    The masts near the castle - not often seen in photos is the HF/DF site which was located just outside the barrier on the left as you leave the site - there is a speed ramp there today .
    ( Just past the stone with Syd Irving's name on it.)
     
  4. Savo

    Savo Senior Member

    Being called the Shetland dock it was built for the Shetland aircraft. Where they ever used at CA ?. Judging by the scale of the dock it was a monster of an air craft and considering the dock was never used clearly indicates Coastal Command's long term strategy. What their plans where, that would be interesting with the jet being the next possible stage !!!

    Fascinates me that a structure that was never used is referred to many in the area as the Shetland Dock till this day both young and old !!!!
     
  5. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

Share This Page