The detached breakwater was
constructed in 1904 and, along with the expanded harbour, the guns on
the breakwater served to defend the harbour itself. Alongside the gun
emplacements were searchlights, accommodation and magazines.
Originally the guns would have been light 12 pounders and heavier 6
inch guns but with the need for heavier artillery with the advent of
WWII, twin 6 pdr guns were added. The remains for the emplacements for
these twin 6-pdrs can be seen at the western end of the breakwater,
and the searchlight sponsons are clearly visible in this vicinity too,
although they have been damaged by wave action. At quay level is the
casemated accommodation for barracks, stores, magazines, engine room
and latrines. The magazines still have their shell and cartridge lifts
in place. A barrack at the western end has murals that date from the
Second World War period, including "Popeye" and "Mickey Mouse".
The breakwater defences appear to have been maintained until coastal
defences were disbanded in 1956. Many of the structures within the
breakwater are now home to seagulls and a rather large population of
pigeons; needless to say, there is a huge amount of their deposits
piled up on the breakwater. Dover Harbour Board intend to seal up the
breakwater in the near future to prevent the corrosive action of bird
deposits doing any further damage, as well as presenting a hazard to
health. The extreme ends of the breakwater are already closed to
anglers as a protective measure to the integrity of the structure
To see the full size
pictures, right click than click on go full size.
Access is not possible, this is on
private land.