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Report - - Cliffe Fort, Kent, Sept 2009 | Military Sites | 28DaysLater.co.uk

Report - Cliffe Fort, Kent, Sept 2009

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layz

Conquistador d'Wolverton
28DL Full Member
Evening Guys,

visited Cliffe Fort this weekend with my friend, the previous way in had been sealed, but we found an 'interesting' way in! Had great fun there, climbing in and out of the ground floor windows to avoid getting wet.


History

Cliffe fort was built in 1860 to defend the Thames Estuary from attack. This was during an era of many additions and improvements to Britain’s costal defence, as Britain feared a French invasion. The guns which were installed in Cliffe Fort were 12.5â€￾ and 11â€￾ rifled muzzle load, weighing around 35 tons. Protection of these guns was provided by granite faced casemates with shields for added defense. These shields, casemates and the rails on which the gun carriages stood are all still visible today
The fort is also the home of a pioneering torpedo system built between 1887 and 1903.
During the last world war an observation tower and AA guns were added to the site, however soon after the fort was closed.


Today

The fort is owned by the gravel extraction company which operated nearby. However as the fort is a Scheduled Ancient Monument; scope for redevelopment is rather limiting.


Anyway the photos:

204.jpg


Evidence of the orriginal gun casements, rails and pulleys
191.jpg


190.jpg


200.jpg


The torpedo rails:
186.jpg


The soldiers quarters, mainly flooded but still with orriginal plaster in places:
241.jpg


256.jpg


WW2 observation tower:
221.jpg


227.jpg


2 old lorries nearby:
307.jpg


Regards,
 

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