Visited with Catullus.
We did both sites in one day, so I thought it would be easier just to post one report for both.
Some history:
Cliffe Fort was built in the 1860s to protect against invasion via the Thames. It was armed with 12.5-inch 38-ton and 11-inch 25-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns. Protection of these guns was provided by granite-faced casemates with shields for added defence. The shields, casemates and the rails on which the gun carriages stood are all still visible today.
A Brennan Torpedo station was added in 1890. This was a wire-guided missile used for harbour defence: the launching rails are still visible at low water.
The fort was use in both World War 1 and World War 2.
It is now owned by the neighbouring aggregates company.
Grain tower battery was built in 1855, as part of military defences guarding the Thames. The barrack block was added during World War 2. It remained in use until 1946, having been used during both World Wars. It is in the Thames and can only be accessed at low tide via a causeway (unless you have a boat!). It is now for sale for £500000, and boasts the address 1 The Thames.
Cliffe Fort:
Brennan Torpedo station:
Messing around on the conveyor belt at the aggregates company next door to Cliffe:
Grain Tower:
Boom chains (used to string nets across the Thames):
The top of the ammo hoist:
We did both sites in one day, so I thought it would be easier just to post one report for both.
Some history:
Cliffe Fort was built in the 1860s to protect against invasion via the Thames. It was armed with 12.5-inch 38-ton and 11-inch 25-ton rifled muzzle-loading guns. Protection of these guns was provided by granite-faced casemates with shields for added defence. The shields, casemates and the rails on which the gun carriages stood are all still visible today.
A Brennan Torpedo station was added in 1890. This was a wire-guided missile used for harbour defence: the launching rails are still visible at low water.
The fort was use in both World War 1 and World War 2.
It is now owned by the neighbouring aggregates company.
Grain tower battery was built in 1855, as part of military defences guarding the Thames. The barrack block was added during World War 2. It remained in use until 1946, having been used during both World Wars. It is in the Thames and can only be accessed at low tide via a causeway (unless you have a boat!). It is now for sale for £500000, and boasts the address 1 The Thames.
Cliffe Fort:
Brennan Torpedo station:
Messing around on the conveyor belt at the aggregates company next door to Cliffe:
Grain Tower:
Boom chains (used to string nets across the Thames):
The top of the ammo hoist:
