Nlumpy
New member
Our last visit of the day brought us to Cliffe Fort. After traipsing through a waterlogged field with much moaning from the others, (whatever happened to British stoicism?) we reached our destination.
Full history can be found online but here is its background in brief:
Built in the 1860's this fort is currently on land owned by a well known construction company. It was built to defend from invasion via the Thames and was armed with gigantic rifled muzzle loading guns. In 1890, a Brennan Torpedo station was added to the site, with the launch railings still partially intact to this day. Apparently it was armed during WW1 and then used as an anti-aircraft battery in WW2.
After wandering round the outside of the fort, our morale was low as it was completely waterlogged and any access appeared to be blocked by huge sand piles. After talking to two construction workers we were told we weren't getting in but were free to walk round the exterior of the building. Do not fear guys, thanks to others before us and minor physical exertion (i'm not too tall) we managed to get some lovely photos for you. Granted my camera had decided it had had enough so any shots were taken with haste. I did loose a rather good panoramic video unfortunately when the batteries finally went.
Sorry for the amount of photos guys it's my first post and so I got rather excited!
A long walk alongside a very much working construction site
As you can see things were a little wet (should have brought wellies)
Our first glimpse of the fort
As you can see it's surrounded by diggers and sand
Not sure if it's always this wet or if recent weather exacerbated things
Peeking through a window
Things are beginning to look up
Pretty well defended
More external shots
Hans Egede
We made some friends
Torpedo launch
Now how on Earth did we get up here?
Stairs have seen better days
Now for the long walk home in torrential rain
Thanks for viewing
Full history can be found online but here is its background in brief:
Built in the 1860's this fort is currently on land owned by a well known construction company. It was built to defend from invasion via the Thames and was armed with gigantic rifled muzzle loading guns. In 1890, a Brennan Torpedo station was added to the site, with the launch railings still partially intact to this day. Apparently it was armed during WW1 and then used as an anti-aircraft battery in WW2.
After wandering round the outside of the fort, our morale was low as it was completely waterlogged and any access appeared to be blocked by huge sand piles. After talking to two construction workers we were told we weren't getting in but were free to walk round the exterior of the building. Do not fear guys, thanks to others before us and minor physical exertion (i'm not too tall) we managed to get some lovely photos for you. Granted my camera had decided it had had enough so any shots were taken with haste. I did loose a rather good panoramic video unfortunately when the batteries finally went.
Sorry for the amount of photos guys it's my first post and so I got rather excited!
A long walk alongside a very much working construction site
As you can see things were a little wet (should have brought wellies)
Our first glimpse of the fort
As you can see it's surrounded by diggers and sand
Not sure if it's always this wet or if recent weather exacerbated things
Peeking through a window
Things are beginning to look up
Pretty well defended
More external shots
Hans Egede
We made some friends
Torpedo launch
Now how on Earth did we get up here?
Stairs have seen better days
Now for the long walk home in torrential rain
Thanks for viewing