Fort Victoria near Yarmouth has a tragic history with at least 61 documented deaths recorded in its environs, despite it never having fired a gun in anger.
On 25th April 1908 – in the midst of a terrific snowstorm – the HMS Gladiator collided with an ocean liner the SS St Paul off Sconce Point, where Fort Victoria is situated. The disaster cost the lives of 27 men.
A further tragedy occurred on 31st August 1945 when a Miles Monitor aircraft on a test flight crashed into the shore at Fort Victoria, killing its 2 occupants: Sub Lieutenant Fehler and Lieutenant Habgood. Remnants of the crashed plane can still be seen at low tides.
Here are but a few of the tales of lost souls said never to have left the vicinity of the cursed fort after it had been decommissioned in 1962
The ghostly builder…
Tragedy struck Fort Victoria In May 1854 – before it had even been completed.
A group of builders (and some of their wives) – employed in the construction of the fort – were on a day trip to Lymington, returning on a boat in a state of intoxication. The vessel capsized. 15 people were on board; 7 were drowned. Their boat was later picked up near Cowes.
It is said that the ghost of 1 of the builders lost on that unfortunate day lurks in the woods near the fort searching for his wife, who was also lost at sea.
The phantom fisherman…
A phantom fisherman is believed to haunt the east casemates and old moat area in which he last came ashore.
Might this be the lost soul which once dwelled in the decomposed body of a man found floating in the water off Fort Victoria in October 1896?
An inquest was held for the corpse of an unknown man in one of the rooms at Fort Victoria in that month and year.
He was believed to have been around 48 years of age, and his clothing suggested he had been the master of a coasting vessel: he was wearing a sou’wester tied on and had a life belt under his arms.
On searching the body of the deceased, the local Police Sergeant found only a small purse containing 18 shillings (90p) and a small knife in his pocket – he was carrying no identification, nor did his body have any identifying marks.
The remains of this unknown man have been laid to rest at Freshwater Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
The spirit of a soldier…
The most frequently encountered phantom at Fort Victoria is said to be the spirit of a soldier, forever patrolling the grounds.
Numerous members of the armed forces were ‘lost’ at the fort during the hundred-or-so years it was operational.
Here is but 1 of their tragic tales…
Gloom fell over the Christmas festivities at Fort Victoria near Yarmouth following a tragic accident on 23rd December 1889.
24-year-old sapper Andrew Templar of the 22nd Company Royal Engineers – stationed at Fort Vic – fell to his death while decorating the non-commissioned officers’ mess.
The soldier accidentally fell to his death when standing on a scaffold raised 7ft from the floor, striking his head violently on the ground. His comrades came immediately to his assistance.
He was said to have been insensible but to have recovered a little before being moved to Golden Hill Fort, where he died at 18:00.
An inquest was held on Boxing Day, recording a verdict of ‘accidental death’.
Andrew Templar was buried with full military honours on 27th December of that year.
Have you met with or heard of any further phantoms to be found at the many Palmerston Follies dotted around the coast of the Isle of Wight waiting for an invasion that never came? Let us know in the comments…
Great story, maybe the Ghosts of Fort Victoria are
keeping IW Council at bay.
Free Toilets and Free Parking
Best place on the island.
Who wants to pay to park and pay to use toilets
What do we pay our Council tax for!
The spirit of a soldier…
The most frequently encountered phantom at Fort Victoria is said to be the spirit of a soldier, forever patrolling the grounds.
I doubt that the gentleman in the picture accompanying this piece, being a young Herbert, later Lord, Kitchener (compare with https://npgshop.org.uk/products/herbert-kitchener-1st-earl-kitchener-npg-x127980-print ) – as a commissioned officer would ever have patrolled anywhere and even less likely to have done so at Fort Vic despite the fact he met with an untimely death in 1916
Hi Nigse.
Can you also identify the phantom fisherman and ghostly builder?
A further tragedy occurred on 31st August 1945 when a Miles Monitor aircraft on a test flight crashed into the shore at Fort Victoria, killing its 2 occupants: Sub Lieutenant Fehler and Lieutenant Habgood. Remnants of the crashed plane can still be seen at low tides.
Sadly, as both Sub Lieutenant Fehler and Lieutenant Habgood are, according to CWGC records, commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent War Memorial (Bay 6, panel 3) it appears their bodies were not recovered. RIP
Remains of the bases of large spars and an engine house built, along the sea front front towards Yarmouth from Fort Vic, to aid with the recovery of HMS Gladiator can also still be seen. Although eventually salvaged at great expense, the vessel was subsequently scrapped repair being deemed uneconomical.