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Description: | A fort and coastal battery began in 1670 by order of Charles II and designed by his chief engineer, Sir Bernard de Gomme. Situated on low lying ground on the north bank of the River Thames, south east of the modern outskirts of Tilbury. It replaced an artillery castle built in 1539. The monument includes the buried remains of an Henrician blockhouse, the far larger and more complex fort and battery which succeeded the blockhouse in the late 17th century, the late 19th and early 20th century alterations to the fort, and a World War II pillbox. The blockhouse was constructed in 1539 as part of Henry VIII's campaign to improve the coastal defences. After the Restoration in 1660, Charles II began a complete reorganisation of the national defences including the new fort and battery at Tilbury, based on principles pioneered in the low countries. Work began in 1670 and the resulting fortifications remain substantially unaltered to this day. In the early stages of World War II the chapel housed the Operations Room which controlled the anti-aircraft defences of the Thames and Medway (North) Gun Zone, until it was relocated to a purpose built structure at Vange in 1940. A small rectangular pillbox was added at the same time to control the river front approach to the fort and provide enfilade fire across the rear of the old battery positions. Scheduled and in the care of the Secretary of State. The officers barracks within the fort originally formed a terrace of 22 officers' houses, now 7 houses and a museum. Built 1772, by the Board of Ordnance and altered early 19th century. | Subjects: | Defence Command Post Maritime Domestic Fort Artillery Castle Coastal Battery Officers Quarters Pillbox Blockhouse | Source: | English Heritage - Viewfinder | Creator: | National Monuments Record | Identifier: | http://pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk... | Language: | en | Go to resource |
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