THE SPITHEAD FORTS

The Spithead forts were built in the Solent in the 1860's to protect Portsmouth from bombardment from the sea, at the same time as the Gosport and Portsdown land forts were built. Horse Sands, No Mans Land and St Helens Forts were built 1865-80, and Spitbank was started 2 years later. Ryde Fort was abandoned shortly after construction started becouse of unstable foundations.
Horse Sands and No Mans Land are identical at 200 foot in diameter and fully armour plated. The other 2 are slightly smaller at 150 foot diameter with iron plating on the front only.

Photo of Horse Sands Fort © Bob Le-Roi Commercial Broadcaster

The forts had complements of 30 men. They cost two to three times as much to build as the land forts, due to the difficulties involved in constructing foundations 20 to 30 foot under water on sand banks.
Spitbank Fort is open April - October. Horse Sands, No Mans Land and St Helens Forts are privately owned.

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