Monument record TQ 76 NE 348 - Site of the Gibraltar tower, Chatham

Summary

Dating to 1819, this tower was situated north east of Fort Pitt. It was one of several, built in the Napoleonic period to provide advance defences for the dockyard and to protect the Rochester Bridge. The other works were Fort Clarence (TQ 76 NW 68), Fort Pitt (TQ 76 NE 84) and the Delce Tower (TQ 76 NW 366). The Delce and Gibraltar Towers flanked Fort Pitt. Uncertain whether any of the structure survives.

Location

Grid reference TQ 7545 6781 (point) Centred
Map sheet TQ76NE
Civil Parish ROCHESTER & CHATHAM, MEDWAY, KENT
County KENT
Unitary Authority MEDWAY

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Ditch to the west of former St. Bartholomews church (this may be wrong as the site appears to be west of the King's Church, formerly St Andrew's church), just south of New Road Avenue. The ditch church leads to a small brick building which may occupy the site of Gibraltar tower. Some original ditch revetment in situ. Sloping rendered wall which may be part of the Gibraltar Tower defences. (1)
The Gibraltar Tower was one of several new detached works, built in the Napoleonic period to provide advance defences for the dockyard and to deny the cross-Medway bridge at Rochester to the enemy. The other works were Fort Clarence (TQ 76 NW 68), Fort Pitt (TQ 76 NE 84) and the Delce Tower (TQ 76 NW 366). The Delce and Gibraltar Towers flanked Fort Pitt [2].
See also [3].


<2> Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy, 1994, From Tudor Rose to Mushroom Cloud. The Gazetter of Defence Heritage Sites in the Kentish Part of the Thames Gateway. An Overview (Unpublished document). SKE12458.

<3> OS Card / NAR index (Unpublished document). SKE6461.

Sources/Archives (2)

  • <2>XY Unpublished document: Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy. 1994. From Tudor Rose to Mushroom Cloud. The Gazetter of Defence Heritage Sites in the Kentish Part of the Thames Gateway. An Overview. [Mapped feature: #16850 tower, ]
  • <3> Unpublished document: OS Card / NAR index.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (2)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jul 21 2021 4:54PM