Thorne Island stands at the entrance to Milford Haven, guarding the approach to the former Royal Dockyard at Pembroke Dock. Although plans to fortify the island were first proposed in 1817, the idea was not carried out until fears of French naval power grew in the 1850s under Emperor Napoleon III. 

 

Construction of the fort began sometime after 1852, and the date 1854 is carved above the entrance. The fort is an irregular polygon in design, with a seaward-facing battery built for five RBL 7-inch Armstrong guns and four 68-pounder guns mounted en barbette (open mountings firing over a parapet). The landward side forms a defensible barracks with a loopholed parapet overlooking the entrance.

 

The waters around the island are rich in maritime history, with more than twelve known wrecks in the area. One of the most famous is the Loch Shiel, which struck rocks off the island in 1878. Twenty-seven people were rescued in an operation so remarkable that two Angle lifeboat crew members and the honorary secretary were awarded silver RNLI medals. The wreck became known as Wales’ “Whisky Galore” because the ship was carrying gunpowder, beer and cases of Glasgow whisky - much of which was never recovered. 

 

To this day, divers still explore the wrecks around the island and occasionally find intact bottles from the Loch Shiel, including beer bottles, though the remaining whisky is now considered undrinkable.

 

Later History

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• 1947: The fort was converted into a hotel.

• 1999: The property was sold.

• 2001: It was purchased by the Von Essen hotel group, who planned a £4 million redevelopment, including a cable car for access. These plans were never completed, and the fort fell into disuse.

• 2017: The Conner family purchased the site with the intention of restoring it.

• Today: The Conner family have finished the refurbishment and are opening it back up to the public for a one-of-a-kind events