Description
Physical description
model
This is a 1/48 scale model of one of the Sea Forts (Naval Type) that were erected in the Thames Estuary during the Second World War.
One leg of this 1/48 scale model is sectioned to show the internal layout.
Label
Forts of this type were designed to fulfil several roles during the Second World War, namely to break up enemy aircraft formations approaching London from the sea, to prevent the laying of mines in the navigable channels, to prevent E-Boats from raiding shipping, and to provide early warning of approaching hostile air or sea forces by means of radiolocation. They were built at riverside sites on the Thames and floated out to their locations in the Estuary, where they were flooded and settled on the sea bed. Each of the towers was 24 feet in diameter, 60 feet high, and had 7 internal decks,
A total of 4 forts of this type were deployed in the Thames Estuary, in the area colloquially known as "E-Boat Alley", and were manned by a crew of Marines and Bluejackets, numbering 100 officers and men.
History note
Forts of this type were designed to fulfil several roles during the Second World War, namely to break up enemy aircraft formations approaching London from the sea, to prevent the laying of mines in the navigable channels, to prevent E-Boats from raiding shipping, and to provide early warning of approaching hostile air or sea forces by means of radiolocation. They were built at riverside sites on the Thames and floated out to their locations in the Estuary, where they were flooded and settled on the sea bed. Each of the towers was 24 feet in diameter, 60 feet high, and had 7 internal decks.
A total of 4 forts of this type were deployed in the Thames Estuary, in the area colloquially known as "E-Boat Alley", and were manned by a crew of Marines and Bluejackets, numbering 100 officers and men.
The first fort was due to be towed out to a point near Harwich in January 1942, but bad weather delayed this until early February.
The Navy (and Army) Forts were built at Red Lion Wharf, Northfleet, Gravesend
All units (forts) were constructed at Red Lion Wharf, Gravesend, by Holloway Brothers, and then towed to Berth 28, Tilbury Dock for final fitting out, before being towed out and sunk in position. Each army tower weighed about 600 tons whilst the complete naval fort weighed about 3000 tons.