The forts Maunsell to abandon in the estuary of the Thames

Forts Maunsell are a unique example of military architecture in the middle of the sea that are visiting today through a boat ride.

Among the strange places of our globe are the fortified towers called Forts Maunsell . Built in the 1940s in the Thames estuary, these towers are today vestiges of the Second World War, from the time they were serving vigies in times of war.

They derive their name from their manufacturer, Guy Maunsell.

The incredible story of Fort Maunsell

These forts with a fantomatic look and constituted a total of 21 towers were built by the Royal Navy to monitor the Thames estuary which was to supply the whole region of London. Other forts added: they were heavily armed for air protection.

These forts were for some constituted then a platform with two cylindrical towers and a bunker was arranged at its top, usually equipped with two anti-aircraft guns. The forts were made in dry hold and then were towed to the desired place, they were then cast into sand and only the useful part remained visible, just above sea level.

In the 1950s, the forts became useless, they were totally abandoned in the late 1950s and were transformed for other activities, such as relays for pirate radios, for example in the 1960s and 1970s.

Of the 7 forts initially planned gathering a total of no less than 21 laps, there are currently only 2 forts and 13 laps. It is important to know that all these forts were interconnected with each other and connected to terrestrial control centres by submarine telephone cables and a radio link. With regard to the supply of arms, ammunition, fuel, in stock of food and water, it was held once a week.

A story of towers and forts Maunsell

• Fort Rough Sands: this fort was proclaimed the Principality of Sealand in 1967 by its owner, Mr.Paddy Roy Bates.
• Fort Nore: seriously damaged after being amazed by a Norwegian cargo ship in 1953, it was completely dismantled in 1959 to avoid being carried into the seabed.
• Fort Shivering Sands: composed of 6 laps, it was damaged by a collision in 1963.
• Fort Red Sands: it’s the most famous because it’s almost completely intact. He served as a pirate radio station in the 1960s.
• Fort Sunk Head
• Fort Tongue Sands: destroyed by a storm in 1996
• Fort Knock John.

Today a tourist attraction, it is possible to discover these forts from Whitestable and Herne Bay in England. Only strong Rough Sands and Red Sands are still in a position to be admired: although Fort Rough Sands has become a private property, Fort Red Sands attracts many curious people.

It should be noted, especially for those who are passionate about everything that touches the Second World War, that there is the Project Redsand which allows everyone to travel to Red Sands’ armed fort. You can, like anyone, propose you as a volunteer to help strengthen the towers of the fort, known as “Uncle 6” during the world’s largest military conflict.

How to visit Fort Maunsell?

Very photogenic, the forts Maunsell do not visit themselves properly, but it is possible to make a boat ride to take pictures or simply come to observe their atypical architecture.

Operation Redsand Forts offers regular boat trips to the forts. The price of a ticket costs £60 and their exact schedules are on their site. Daily visits are also carried out by a restored template. Built in 1892, the Greta explore the Fort Maunsell at a very quiet pace. The six-hour towers in the Thames Estuary begin at Whitstable Harbour, only seven miles north of Canterbury. Non-regular towers are also offered by X-Pilot, but you need to call to find out when the boat goes to Fort Maunsell.

Finally, as mentioned above, Project Redsand offers regular trips to Fort Red Sands for maintenance work. If you want to go with them and do some volunteering, free to do so according to the available dates.

So, ready to travel in time and back half a century back?

Main photo credit: Flickr – Steve Cadman