Copyright © undergroundkent.co.uk 2002-2012

FAN BAY SHAFT, DOVER

The purpose of this cave is a complete mystery. There are quite a few ideas such as a fisherman's cave, and there is a shaft approximately 14ft deep that could have contained fresh water. The metal doors inside the cave could be from a sunken ship called the Preussen, which sunk in 1910 when she was involved in a collision with the steamer "Brighton" in fog near Beachy Head. The Preussen was towed towards Portsmouth, but when it was clear that the tug would not be able to go that far, it was decided to make for Dover instead. The Preussen finally foundered on the rocks below South Foreland.

Location: Isle of Wight

Condition: Good

Date Of Visit: 07/06/09

Plan: No

Report: No

Other Sites in the Area:

Down Langdon Battery than turn right.

FAN BAY SHAFT, DOVER

Entrance to the cave. It is approximately 15ft above the beach; the high tide mark is clear on the cliff face.

In the corridor looking towards the entrance.

Metal plates from the sunken Preussen.

View of the main room.

The tiled floor covered in rust from the metal doors. It is still not clear why this part of the cave has a tiled floor.

Ladder rungs leading down the shaft.