UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM
Virtual Tours: Ascension Island
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Features of Other Interest, including Cultural
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Features of Other Interest, including Cultural

HMS Hood was a battlecruiser built in Scotland and completed in 1920. She was the largest warship in the world for more than 20 years. HMS Hood was fitted with two 5.5 inch guns which were removed in 1935 and later transferred to Ascension Island in 1941. They were placed at Fort Bedford on Cross Hill as protection, should Ascension be attacked from the sea. During the Second World War, in December 1941, the guns were used to shell and drive away German U-boat, U-124. Additional information about HMS Hood can be found here, as well as on the H.M.S. Hood Association website. 

Fort Bedford. The 5.5 inch guns were originally from HMS Hood


© Ascension Island Government
(Features of Other Interest, including Cultural, 8 of 10 - Slide ref. 651)