Defence Electric Light emplacements 1914-19. Two small rectangular buildings, 20m apart, with semi-octagonal projection at seaward corner. Operated by Electric Light Officer in a director station at Link House Battery (NZ 37 NW 24). Powered by an engine house 50m to west (NZ 37 NW 26). Rare survival of a World War One coastal defence installation. (1)

Only one emplacement was used in World War Two. Self protecting. (2)

First World War searchlight battery. Two buildings in good condition; derelict but still roofed. (3)

The monument includes the above and below ground remains of a World War I and World War II coastal artillery battery, situated among sand dunes in the South Beach area of Blyth. The monument is divided into two separate areas of protection.
The bombardment of Hartlepool in December 1916 by the German High Seas Fleet killing 86 civilians and injuring 424 was a turning point for coastal defence. It prompted the development of a wider coastal defence plan, and construction of a battery at Blyth commenced in August 1916 by the Durham Fortress Engineers RE. The new battery's prime purpose was to prevent enemy landings and engage motor torpedo boats, but by the time of its completion in February 1918 it was also intended to protect the submarine depot ship Titania at Blyth. During World War I, the battery house two six inch Quick Firing guns and two search lights. The guns were manned by four officers and 75 men of the Tynemouth Royal Garrison Artillery. Offically known as Blyth Battery, the battery was also known as Coulson Battery after the RE Officer responsible for its construction, and also Link House Battery. The battery buildings are depicted on the third edition OS map for the area and are shown as two separate areas, each surrounded by an enclosure provisioned with landward defences. The exact nature of the enclosures is uncertain but they may have been temporary constructions. In 1925 Blyth Battery became incorporated into the development of the South Beach amenities when two of the buildings were converted into public toilets. In February 1940, the battery was re-excavated and by 14th March it was ready and mounted with two six-inch B.L. mk.7 guns. Initially called Seaton Battery, it was renamed Blyth Battery in June 1940. The battery was now manned by A Battery, 510 Coast Regiment R.A. (TA) with five officers and 110 men. The regiment was an independent Fire Command and commanded Berwick, Amble, Druridge, Gloucester and Blyth Batteries. By April 1944 Blyth Battery was manned by the Home Guard and in late November 1944 was placed in care and maintenance.
The first area of protection contains two gun emplacements, various shelters, a Royal Artillery store, a World War I and World War II battery observation post, a magazine and shell store and a block house. [see HER 11976]
The second area of protection lies 300m north of the first, and includes two World War I D.E.L (Defence Electric Light) emplacements and an associated engine house [see HER 11978]. These buildings were also originally contained within an enclosure provisioned with landward defences, the line of which has been preserved in parts by the amenity landscaping of the surrounding area. The engine house, its outbuilding and enclosing walls are Listed Grade II.
The emplacements are constructed of reinforced concrete, steel and brick, and situated approximately 20 metres apart. They are small rectangular buildings with semi-octagonal flat-roofed projections at their seaward corners. Although they were orginally intended to be protected by the surrounding enclosure and its defences, it is considered that protective block houses were never constructed and the search lights themselves appear to be self-protecting. Each has a doorway and window in the landward side and machine gun loops in the other walls. The curving part of the projection contains a large opening, originally furnished with sliding shutters which were drawn back when the light was exposed. The emplacements were operated from a director station located in the World War I Battery Observation Post. The more southerly of the two emplacements is divided into two parts; the seaward facing projection housed a 90 cm search light which was separated from the other part by a wooden partition containing the duty crew. During World War II it is thought that only one of these search lights was operational.
The World War I Battery at Blyth is well preserved and retains the full range of features characteristic of this type of coastal battery. As well as evidence for its original layout including the surrounding defensive enclosures, these include the gun emplacements, operational buildings and ancillary buildings. The survival of the associated searchlight emplacements enhances the importance of the monument. This battery has been indentified as one of only 28 examples of its type in England which have survived in a complete state. The fact that it was reused during World War II, when some alterations were made and a new Battery observation post was constructed, adds to the importance of the monument as a whole. Blyth Battery will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the two World Wars and it stands as a highly visible reminder of the measures taken to protect the coast of England during the 20th century. (4)

A Twentieth Century coastal battery and associated pillbox, tank trap and military building are visible as a series of structures on air photographs. The coastal battery is centred at NZ 3201 7967, the pillbox is situated at NZ 3207 7956 and the military building is at NZ 3200 7950. The tank trap consists of a line of anti-tank cubes which protect the coast and run for a distance of apprximately 123m. Some of the features are visible on the latest 1988-1993 Ordnance Survey vertical photography, whilst others appear to have been demolished. (5a-b)