In 1667 the Dutch raided the Medway, then protected only by Upnor Castle. This started a program of work to protect Chatham
dockyard with the addition of Cockham Wood and Gillingham Forts which were built in 1669 and later in 1756 the Cumberland lines, defences around the dockyard, and Fort Amherst. Forts Pitt and Clarence were added in 1805 and then a ring
of forts was built around the south, north and east of Chatham dockyard between the late 1870's and 1900. These were based on a polygonal design for the land forts and a circular plan for the island forts on Darnet and Hoo.
| Gillingham Fort |
Part of the dockyard defence dating from 1669, replacing
Upnor Castle. Now vanished. |
1669 |
| Cockham Wood |
There are some overgrown but visible remains of th 1669
fort built on the north side of the river opposite Gillingham. |
1669 |
| Cumberland Lines |
These surrounded the whole east side of the dockyard
down to St Mary's Island. Now almost completely built over. |
1756 |
| Townsend Redoubt |
Built over. |
1756 |
| Fort Amherst |
Open, being restored. |
1756 |
| Fort Pitt |
In use until 1828, the site has been built over and
is now a school. |
1805 -19 |
| Fort Clarence |
On the east bank of the Medway, it has a three storey
tower. Now converted to flats. |
1808-12 |
| Grain Fort |
On eastern end of the Isle of Grain. Demolished in 1962.
|
1860's |
| Grain Dummy Battery |
South of Grain Fort, in fair condition. |
1860's |
| Grain Tower Battery |
Off shore of Grain Fort, in fair condition. |
1855 |
| Garrison Point
Fort |
On the north-western tip of Sheerness Docks. Private.
|
1872 |
| Slough Fort |
On the north coast of the Hoo peninsula, it is now
a riding stable. |
1860-68 |
| Fort Bridgewood |
The site was demolished in 1975. |
1890 |
| Fort Luton |
In use until 1961, now a museum.
|
1876 - 92 |
| Fort Borstal |
On high ground overlooking Chatham. In poor condition. |
1875 -85 |
| Fort Horsted |
Overgrown and building work in progress (2003). |
1870 -1900 |
| Fort Darland |
Demolished. |
1870 -1900 |
| Twydall Redoubts |
Near the coast east of Gillingham at Grange & Twydall.
Status unknown. |
1870 -1900 |
| Fort Darnet |
A circular fort on an island in the Medway built between
1861 and 1872. Armed with 11 seven & nine inch RMLs, manned by
a complement of 100. It can be visited by boat. Photo below. |
1871 |
| Fort Hoo |
Same design as Darnet, 1km away on another island in
the Medway. Built on the site of a 17th century gun battery. Private. Photo below.
|
1871 |
