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SHORNEMEAD FORT

The Shornemead Fort was originally designed to be able to house 13 cannons, and work began in 1847, finishing 6 years later. Unfortunately, the ground that the fort stands on is extremely marshy, and proved to be incapable of supporting a structure as large as the one proposed. As a result, the fort was completely rebuilt.

The new fort was in the shape of a D, with the curved area being for gun placements and casemates, and behind that were barracks and admin buildings. The same problems with the marshy ground again caused major problems for the fort. In spite of superficial strengthening work being carried out on the magazines, it was decided by 1904 that Shornemead Fort could not possibly prove effective and withstand an attack that it was felt she would face, and the fort was disarmed. No further work took place around the fort until two 5.5inch guns were put in place during WWII; these were quickly decommissioned at the end of the war.  During the 1950's, the Army School of Demolition destroyed the barracks.

Location: Western Heights, Dover

Condition:

Date Of Visit: 29/11/03

Plan: No

Video: No

Report: No

Other Sites in the Area:

Grain Fort, Grain Tower Battery, Cliffe Fort, Shornemead Fort, Grain Dummy Battery

Fort location.

SHORNEMEAD FORT, THAMES ESTUARY

View of the fort from the eastern end.

View of the fort from the western end.

View of the fort from the estuary side.

What’s left of the casemate.

The remains of a OP.

In one of the magazines which are about 16ins deep in water.

The remains of the hoist, still with chain.

The water level has ben a lot higher.

Numbered magazine.