This is a place I have wanted to see for a while, and took my time to get here. We had tried it in may in the previous year, but the spring tides were not kind that day. We had timed the tide right but was such a windy day the water never receded enough. Fast forward the next year and we went on a beautiful sunny day. We were pleased to see the old path out well exposed, and it was a lovely walk out to it. Their was a few people out there already, quickly up the sketchy ladder. Even though it was warm it was very windy and we were careful near the edges.
With the large dockyard at Chatham, the armaments works at Woolwich and various naval installations dotted about the Thames. It was seen that these could be a vulnerable target from the French forces entering the Medway. Construction of grain tower as one of the defences started in 1848 at a cost of £16,798 which was way over budget, over 50% over. It was finally constructed in 1855 after many difficulties in the construction. The tower was built at three storey high with a granite face, giving a similar design to the Martello towers. The tower was used as a defence during the first world war. An iron chain which would stretch across the Medway is still there. It was used again in the second world war with some added extras like a gun emplacement on the roof and a barrack block. It was like many of the home defences reduced to care and maintenance with the threat of invasion from the axis powers diminishing quickly. It was decommissioned in 1956. It's been given grade two listed status. It's had several owners, but who knows what the present owners can really do with it. I did really like the ammo lift in the centre of the structure which is surprisingly still in good condition.
With the large dockyard at Chatham, the armaments works at Woolwich and various naval installations dotted about the Thames. It was seen that these could be a vulnerable target from the French forces entering the Medway. Construction of grain tower as one of the defences started in 1848 at a cost of £16,798 which was way over budget, over 50% over. It was finally constructed in 1855 after many difficulties in the construction. The tower was built at three storey high with a granite face, giving a similar design to the Martello towers. The tower was used as a defence during the first world war. An iron chain which would stretch across the Medway is still there. It was used again in the second world war with some added extras like a gun emplacement on the roof and a barrack block. It was like many of the home defences reduced to care and maintenance with the threat of invasion from the axis powers diminishing quickly. It was decommissioned in 1956. It's been given grade two listed status. It's had several owners, but who knows what the present owners can really do with it. I did really like the ammo lift in the centre of the structure which is surprisingly still in good condition.
:
