The History
Grain Tower Battery (aka Number 1 The Thames) was constructed between 1848 and 1855. It stands at the mouth of the River Medway with Southend visible on the other side of the estuary.
Construction is in the style of a Martello Tower with more modern additions made during WW1 and WW2. The initial 1850s purpose of the battery was to protect the dockyards at Chatham and Sheerness from the potential invasion by the French.
3 movable smoothbore guns were positioned on the roof. When obsolete, these were replaced with 3 rifled muzzle-loading guns with far greater accuracy and range.
During WW1 and WW2 the battery was adapted to cater for more modern Quick Fire (QF) guns to combat torpedo boat attacks - additional structures were added at these times. The tower also acted as a point of connecting a boom which stretched across to Sheerness with the purpose of stopping submersibles entering the area - the massive chain to which this was attached can be see in the photos.
The tower was decommissioned in 1956.
The Explore
The tower is accessible at low tide by walking out over a visible track. Myself and a friend stopped by a few weeks before and attempted to get out but hastily returned to dry land when we worried that the tide would swamp us.
We reviewed the tide tables and returned again on the evening of the 18th September and walked out to the tower in safety. We clambered up a convenient metal ladder which someone had kindly attached with rope and proceeded to explore. We did not have to rush - we came kitted out to spend the night and experience being surrounded by water in the estuary. It was great to see the structure from inside with the water rising up.
Not a massive amount of graffiti considering the place is easily accessible most of the day.
The Photos
Walking out to the tower on its imposing position at the end of the causeway:
The causeway is in mostly good condition with some areas starting to be eroded and washed away:
Looking back to land:
View from the WW1 era lookout on top of the main tower:
Any ideas on what this would have supported?
The 1940s addition:
Gun emplacements and supporting infrastructure:
Grain Tower Battery (aka Number 1 The Thames) was constructed between 1848 and 1855. It stands at the mouth of the River Medway with Southend visible on the other side of the estuary.
Construction is in the style of a Martello Tower with more modern additions made during WW1 and WW2. The initial 1850s purpose of the battery was to protect the dockyards at Chatham and Sheerness from the potential invasion by the French.
3 movable smoothbore guns were positioned on the roof. When obsolete, these were replaced with 3 rifled muzzle-loading guns with far greater accuracy and range.
During WW1 and WW2 the battery was adapted to cater for more modern Quick Fire (QF) guns to combat torpedo boat attacks - additional structures were added at these times. The tower also acted as a point of connecting a boom which stretched across to Sheerness with the purpose of stopping submersibles entering the area - the massive chain to which this was attached can be see in the photos.
The tower was decommissioned in 1956.
The Explore
The tower is accessible at low tide by walking out over a visible track. Myself and a friend stopped by a few weeks before and attempted to get out but hastily returned to dry land when we worried that the tide would swamp us.
We reviewed the tide tables and returned again on the evening of the 18th September and walked out to the tower in safety. We clambered up a convenient metal ladder which someone had kindly attached with rope and proceeded to explore. We did not have to rush - we came kitted out to spend the night and experience being surrounded by water in the estuary. It was great to see the structure from inside with the water rising up.
Not a massive amount of graffiti considering the place is easily accessible most of the day.
The Photos
Walking out to the tower on its imposing position at the end of the causeway:
The causeway is in mostly good condition with some areas starting to be eroded and washed away:
Looking back to land:
View from the WW1 era lookout on top of the main tower:
Any ideas on what this would have supported?
The 1940s addition:
Gun emplacements and supporting infrastructure:
