My first report(and proper explore!), so hopefully I've got this right!
Wanted to go here for ages, and it didn't disappoint, its been done many a time before, but some history from Wikipedia:
"Cliffe Fort is a Royal Commission fort built in the 1860s on the edge of the Cliffe marshes on the Hoo Peninsula in north Kent to protect against invasion via the Thames. It is opposite Coalhouse Fort in Essex: they are 2 km apart. Construction was difficult due to the marshy ground and the malaria-carrying mosquitos. 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. It was replaced around 1910 with quick firing guns. The fort was armed in World War I and was used as an anti-aircraft battery in World War II."
The lower levels are flooded, and lots of cracks and signs of subsidence, but a fascinating place nonetheless.
On with the photos:
Scuba gear required for lower levels?!:
I returned home battered and bruised, but loved it, and looking forward to many more explores
Liesel
Wanted to go here for ages, and it didn't disappoint, its been done many a time before, but some history from Wikipedia:
"Cliffe Fort is a Royal Commission fort built in the 1860s on the edge of the Cliffe marshes on the Hoo Peninsula in north Kent to protect against invasion via the Thames. It is opposite Coalhouse Fort in Essex: they are 2 km apart. Construction was difficult due to the marshy ground and the malaria-carrying mosquitos. 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. It was replaced around 1910 with quick firing guns. The fort was armed in World War I and was used as an anti-aircraft battery in World War II."
The lower levels are flooded, and lots of cracks and signs of subsidence, but a fascinating place nonetheless.
On with the photos:
Scuba gear required for lower levels?!:
I returned home battered and bruised, but loved it, and looking forward to many more explores
Liesel
