In 1916, it was decided that a chain of ‘acoustic mirrors’ would be built along the north-east coast as a response to Zeppelin attacks.
These were to provide an early warning before a Zeppelin attack. Although 6 sound mirrors were built along the north-east coast, only 3 survive today: at Boulby, Redcar, and Fulwell near Sunderland.
As part of the Seascapes ‘Coast At War’ project, Tees Archaeology are looking into the role that the North-East coast played in strategic UK sea defences during war time and the story of the Springwell sound mirror, located at Clavering, Hartlepool, is an important part of this story.
Not a great deal is known about the Springwell sound mirror. It was built c.1916 and was demolished in the late 1960s to make way for the Clavering Estate. The spinal road for this estate runs across the top of the probable site.
The aim of the Tees Archaeology project was to locate and excavate as much of the sound mirror complex as possible with the involvement of the local community. The project has included a workshop, geophysical survey, and archaeological excavation, as well as collaboration with a sound artist.
