Restricted bits of Fort Amherst
As the Fort is today.
GENERAL HISTORY (with links)
The primary purpose of all the Medway fortifications was the defence of the Naval Dockyard. This was largely the result of the Raid on the Medway in 1667 when the Dutch fleet inflicted heavy damages on the dockyard. Defences were planned for the dockyard from 1708[1] and land was then acquired by two Acts of Parliament in 1708 and 1709. The land was surveyed in 1715 by the Duke of Marlborough. The first plan of defences was an enceinte (ring of fortifications), from Gun Wharf, Chatham, to north of the village of Brompton.
RELEVANT HISTORY
In 1755, the 'Prince of Wales' Bastion, 'Prince Williams Bastion', 'Kings Bastion', 'Prince Edwards Bastion', 'Prince Henry's Bastion' and the 'Prince Fredericks Bastion' were all built.[1] These and the ditches, built during the Seven Years' War (1756–63), became known as the Chatham lines and were entered by four gateways with bridges.[2] The fortifications were designed in 1755 by Captain John Peter Desmaretze
RELEVANT WHY?
My explore will show you the Princes sunken courtyard, along with quarters. Also parts of the barracks and an old washroom, all developed during the seven year war, all built within the ditches.
Also the non public Caponier, built into the hill, where Amherst house once stood above it. You will notice Ive day & nice photos as I spent several hours here, but trying to put report into order of buildings for easy reading.
First the old wash rooms
Enterance into washrooms.
800 yr old sink
Enterance into washrooms.
800 yr old sink
Two smashed up coal burners to heat water
Wall the other side of ditch. So walls one side and washrooms, barracks, and passage to Princes courtyard other side via barracks
Walk along wall to Barracks, didnt stop in the Barrocks as pigeons were everywhere and not a lot to see/
Quick entrance & exit here onto a path and down into sunken court yard & Princes barracks.
Steps & Court yard
Entrance to princes barracks
We left the Princes Barracks as quite small and just empty rooms and more passages. After a wet walk we discovered the entrance to the old caponier. A small entrance, but worth the look we thought.
Small entrance to caponier
Just inside a wooden stair case, how kind. Excuse my urbexer box in photo.
Up steps, & down steps, round & round, this was a little maze
All in all a nice explore. Watch out for the muddy paths though. Here is an old sketch of a fully working Caponier
Also a map of the Fort showing the Caponier & Amherst house
The Fort today.
In 1980 the Fort was given the go ahead to start restoration work. It has been the focus of many films & tv programs using it as their location. Last used by tv 2015. Clearly the restoration of the bits in this report are not done, but the steps gave me the impression that maybe soon more parts will become public.
In 1980 the Fort was given the go ahead to start restoration work. It has been the focus of many films & tv programs using it as their location. Last used by tv 2015. Clearly the restoration of the bits in this report are not done, but the steps gave me the impression that maybe soon more parts will become public.
Thankyou if you read my report.
