TQ 91347532 - Centre Bastion (NAT)

The Sheerness Lines form part of the system of bastioned earthworks enclosing the dockyards and Blue Town (see plan). Constructed in 1780 and 1796, they replaced the late 17th century defences. Ramparts unrevetted apart from within moat. Mostly in good condition but NE lines much altered in the 19th century and later. Scheduled. (The southernmost portion, No 2 & 3 bastions, not included in the scheduled area). (3-6) A branch of the Deal line telegraph system had its terminus at Garrison Point, completed in 1796 (1,2) (See illustration card).

In 1665 during the Second Dutch War extensive defence works were built at Sheerness and and plans drawn up to build naval facilities adjacent to the fortification. In 1667 a Dutch raid destroyed the partially completed fort and dockyard. In August 1667 work began to rebuild it on a much larger scale (See Illustration Card for plans of the dockyard and fort in 1698, 1738 and 1800). By the 1790s the landward defences of the fort were obsolete due to the presence of Blue Town on its flank. Construction of a 2nd outer defence system, encircling Blue Town on its landward side had therefore been started in the 1780s Fort Townsend, part of this system, existed in 1782. The obsolete defences were levelled and the land raised 6 ft, apart from a section along the shore facing the Thames, which was retained by the Board of Ordnance. (1,2). Additional references (3-6).

Built between 1828 and 1845 between the Indented Lines and Sheerness Lines. A linear bastion revetted in brick with a moat on its seaward side In 1845 it mounted 3 x 8" smooth bore cannon and 20 x 32pdrs on traversing platforms. It has been much altered over the years.(7)

<1> Arch Cant 101 1984 245-76 plans (TM Harris) (OS Card Reference). SKE34557.

<2> Old Telegraphs 1976 (G Wilson) 19 (OS Card Reference). SKE47868.

<3> Sheerness Defences, the Sheerness Lines/ink survey (Graphic material). SKE6433.

<4> Sheerness Defences, the Sheerness Lines/overlay (Graphic material). SKE6434.

<5> Sheerness Defences, the Sheerness Lines (Bibliographic reference). SKE6438.

<6> RCHME: Sheerness Defences, Kent (Collection). SKE6533.

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 Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1995, Sheerness: The Dockyard, Defences and Blue Town (Unpublished document).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

<8> Dobinson, C., 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.1. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956 (Monograph). SWX23710.

<9> Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956 (Unspecified Type). SWX20703.

<14> Historic England, Archive material associated with the Sheerness Lines (Archive). SKE56321.