Monument record TQ 97 NW 15 - The Ravelin, Sheerness Lines, Sheerness

Summary

Ravelin coastal battery, built as part of the River Medway's coastal defence system. The battery was constructed between 1902-1905. During the First World War it was armed with two 9.2-inch breech-loading Mk. X guns in barbette mountings and equipped with three 'fighting lights'. The battery would probably have been manned by the Kent Royal Garrison Artillery Territorial Force and had been decommissioned by the Second World War, perhaps soon after 1927. An anti-aircraft battery was sited here during the Second World War. The battery was totally demolished in 1993, to make way for a new superstore. However a hold-fast for a 2 pdr/40mm Naval Anti Aircraft multiple "pom-pom" has been found in the superstore car park. This is in the approximate position of the Anti Aircraft emplacement but has probably been re-positioned as part of the car park landscaping.

Location

Grid reference TQ 917 751 (point) FCE
Map sheet TQ97NW
Civil Parish SHEERNESS, SWALE, KENT
County KENT
District SWALE, KENT

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Type and Period (1)

Full Description

In April 1993 the RCHME surveyed the site of the former ravelin, part of the early 19th century defences of Sheerness dockyard, at the request of English Heritage, in response to the threat of partial destruction during redevelopment of the site. The Ravelin built in 1816 formed part of the Sheerness Lines, the middle of three concentric defences around the town, built between 1780 and 1820 [TQ 97 NW 3]. The main surviving feature is a musketry wall, 0.74m thick, and 2.42m high, of brick construction, pierced by gun loops covering the approaches to the ravelin. Earthworks 30m north east and south east of the wall indicate the former site of an outer moat. In addition to the wall a small concrete and brick building of uncertain function, possibly an accomodation block, and shown on the O.S. map of 1828 was also surveyed. [See archive report for details]. (1). Additional references (2-6). For full summary of Sheerness defences see (7). Site photographs (8-10).

Watching brief on work in 1996 recorded part of the Ravelin's defensive ditch. (11)

Watching brief on work at Sheppey College on the site of the ditch of the Ravelin defensive work. Evidence of the ditch was recorded. (12)

Historic England archive material (13)


<1> RCHME: The Ravelin Musketry Wall, Sheerness, Kent (Collection). SKE6484.

<2> The Ravelin, Musketry Wall/report, Paul Pattison & Jane Kenney, RCHME Field Investigation (Bibliographic reference). SKE6397.

<3> The Ravelin, Musketry Wall/survey + elevation (Graphic material). SKE6393.

<4> The Ravelin, Accommodation Block/survey + elevation (Graphic material). SKE6394.

<5> The Ravelin, Accommodation Block/elevation + section + details (Graphic material). SKE6395.

<6> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1993, The Musketry Wall, The Ravelin, Sheerness (Kent): A Survey by the RCHME, April 1993 (Monograph). SWX6970.

<7> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1995, Sheerness: The Dockyard, Defences and Blue Town (Unpublished document). SWX6974.

<8> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9810.

<9> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9993.

<10> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9997.

<11> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Sheppey College: Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SKE12062.

<12> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, An Archaeological Watching Brief, Extension to Sheppey College, Sheerness (Unpublished document). SKE12351.

<13> Historic England, Archive material associated with Ravelin Battery (Archive). SKE56136.

Sources/Archives (13)

  • <1> Collection: RCHME: The Ravelin Musketry Wall, Sheerness, Kent.
  • <2> Bibliographic reference: The Ravelin, Musketry Wall/report. PAP. TYP. Paul Pattison & Jane Kenney, RCHME Field Investigation.
  • <3> Graphic material: The Ravelin, Musketry Wall/survey + elevation. PER. PEN.
  • <4> Graphic material: The Ravelin, Accommodation Block/survey + elevation. PER. PEN.
  • <5> Graphic material: The Ravelin, Accommodation Block/elevation + section + details. PER. PEN.
  • <6> Monograph: Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England. 1993. The Musketry Wall, The Ravelin, Sheerness (Kent): A Survey by the RCHME, April 1993.
  • <7> Unpublished document: Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England. 1995. Sheerness: The Dockyard, Defences and Blue Town.
  • <8> Photograph (Print): 1947. Photograph. 4012. print.
  • <9> Photograph (Print): 1942. Photograph. 19. print.
  • <10> Photograph (Print): 1942. Photograph. 26. print.
  • <11> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 1996. Sheppey College: Watching Brief.
  • <12> Unpublished document: Canterbury Archaeological Trust. 2001. An Archaeological Watching Brief, Extension to Sheppey College, Sheerness.
  • <13> Archive: Historic England. Archive material associated with Ravelin Battery.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (8)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: A characterisation of Sheerness, Project Report (Ref: 61034355) (EKE15043)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Buildings survey on Sheerness Dockyard, Defences & Blue Town (EKE8308)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Defence of Britain (EKE8520)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Landscapes of War national recording project (Kent) (EKE20813)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Survey of the Ravelin Battery, Sheerness (EKE4830)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Survey of the Ravelin musketry wall, Sheerness (EKE4813)
  • Intrusive Event: Watching Brief at Sheppey College (EKE8331)
  • Intrusive Event: Watching Brief on Extension Works to Sheppey College, Sheerness (Ref: SC01) (EKE8675)

Record last edited

Jun 6 2024 3:15PM