Shared description
Maunsell Forts
They are named after their designer Guy Anson Maunsell (1 September 1884 – 20 June 1961) and although many no longer exist, several remarkable remnants in the Thames Estuary / North Sea can still be visited by boat.
The fate of the forts is as follows:
ARMY FORTS
The Liverpool (Mersey) Forts: 3 forts each of 7 towers constructed from October 1941 - None remain - removed as a hazard to shipping in the early 1950s, with the last demolished in 1955.
See Link
Nore Fort: After being hit by the Norwegian ship Baalbek in 1953 which destroyed two of the towers and resulted in four fatalities, it was considered an urgent hazard to shipping and was demolished in 1959-60
There are remnants of it at Alpha wharf near the village of Cliffe, Kent, see Link
Red Sands Fort: All seven towers remain - see separate detailed shared description - Red Sands Maunsell Fort
Shivering Sands Fort: Six of the seven towers remain, one having collapsed in 1963 when the ship Ribersborg accidentally collided with it in foggy conditions.
See Link
NAVY FORTS
Rough Sands Fort: Perhaps the most remarkable of all the forts, after a period hosting "pirate" radio stations in the 1960s, it was occupied by the Bates family, who declared it to be an independent country "Sealand". Being in international waters they have de facto (if not de jure) independence and have their own flag, currency stamps etc. See their own website Link for more details.
Sunk Head Fort: (effective 1942-1945) To prevent its use as a pirate radio station it was partly dismantled using acetylene cutting torches and then 1½ tons of high explosives blew it to pieces on 21 August 1967. 20' (6m) of the leg stumps remain however. See Link
Tongue Sands Fort: (effective 1942-1945) Unlike the other forts which were either destroyed or remain standing, this fort gradually succumbed to the actions of the sea; first shaking, then listing and finally being broken down from beneath by the action of the waves. A single 18' (5m) stump of the south leg remains visible above sea level. See Link
Knock John Fort: This fort is still standing [2019] although apparently some distortion of the legs has been observed. See Link for more information
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