Maunsell Forts
@maunsellforts.bsky.social
We are the Maunsell Forts - army and navy - built between February 1942 and December 1943 in the Mersey and Thames estuaries, off the coast of Britain, to defend against Luftwaffe bombing raids and mine laying. Much ignored and sadly neglected ever since.
And not a moment too soon, we'd have thought! 👍
'Associated British Ports (ABP) has submitted a proposal to move a flexible roadway section of a World War Two Mulberry Harbour called [a] Whale, which is currently at Town Quay in Southampton...' #WW2intheNews
Plans to save restore and relocate rare Southampton D-Day relic - BBC News
Associated British Ports plans to move and restore the Whale roadway section of a Mulberry Harbour.
www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org
March 13, 2025 at 9:38 PM
And not a moment too soon, we'd have thought! 👍
Marc is, of course, 100% right. If you ever get the chance to do so safely - come out and see us! 👍
February 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Marc is, of course, 100% right. If you ever get the chance to do so safely - come out and see us! 👍
Today in 1942 Maunsell Royal Navy fort U1 Rough's completes it's somewhat eventful journey down the Thames (managing to snag just about every buoy possible along the way!) Despite heeling dramatically, the fort rights and is successfully sunk in place some 7 miles off Lowestoft, in 37ft of water.
February 11, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Today in 1942 Maunsell Royal Navy fort U1 Rough's completes it's somewhat eventful journey down the Thames (managing to snag just about every buoy possible along the way!) Despite heeling dramatically, the fort rights and is successfully sunk in place some 7 miles off Lowestoft, in 37ft of water.
Today in 1942 the eventful journey of Maunsell Royal Navy Fort U1 'Roughs' / 'Roughs Tower' down the Thames from Tilbury, began. The fort was shepherded downstream by the tugs Dapper, Lady Brassey, Crested Cock & King Lear. Things started 'interestingly' - collision with a lightship near Gravesend!
February 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Today in 1942 the eventful journey of Maunsell Royal Navy Fort U1 'Roughs' / 'Roughs Tower' down the Thames from Tilbury, began. The fort was shepherded downstream by the tugs Dapper, Lady Brassey, Crested Cock & King Lear. Things started 'interestingly' - collision with a lightship near Gravesend!
Ooooh - strange, more recent, concrete cousin...!
For those interested, this is the goal. It's huge – I believe around 23 metres in diameter and 27 metres tall. One of only two with this form in the UK. It also sits in the middle of a Bronze Age cremation cemetery. Built in 1970, it's a rather beautiful piece of rural brutalism.
February 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Ooooh - strange, more recent, concrete cousin...!
Cracking shots - we like picture number four especially! 👍😁
BlueSky is definitely getting that great old-twitter vibe as a good place to meet friends, discuss life, the universe and everything and celebrate diversity and the beauty of the world.
February 2, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Cracking shots - we like picture number four especially! 👍😁
Not exactly - seven towers with four legs apiece = one Maunsell army fort. A single tower with just the two stumpy legs = one Maunsell navy fort. Pictured here is Fort U6 Redsand(s), the most complete extant Maunsell army fort. Completed as the second of the Thames army forts, on 3rd September 1943.
February 2, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Not exactly - seven towers with four legs apiece = one Maunsell army fort. A single tower with just the two stumpy legs = one Maunsell navy fort. Pictured here is Fort U6 Redsand(s), the most complete extant Maunsell army fort. Completed as the second of the Thames army forts, on 3rd September 1943.
Evil? *Us*?! 🤷😜
I always preferred the Maunsell Forts, much bigger Waterworld evil lair energy
February 1, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Evil? *Us*?! 🤷😜
We should be on everybody's bucket list, really! 👍
At last I have seen the Thames Estuary Maunsell forts. But at such a distance my pic is rubbish...here's a better one <a href="http://archive.historicengland.org.uk/SingleResult/Default.aspx?id=273627&t=Quick&cr=Maunsell&io=False&l=all" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-link="bsky">http://archive.historicengland.org.uk/SingleResult/Default.aspx?id=273627&t=Quick&cr=Maunsell&io=False&l=all
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February 1, 2025 at 9:44 PM
We should be on everybody's bucket list, really! 👍
Four legs - good; two legs - also pretty good. 😜
February 1, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Four legs - good; two legs - also pretty good. 😜
We're honestly very sorry - but we are a bit rickety these days and there's no food, no water and no heating.
But other than all that - you'd be very welcome. 👍😁
But other than all that - you'd be very welcome. 👍😁
What do you mean I can’t live in the Maunsell Sea Forts
February 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
We're honestly very sorry - but we are a bit rickety these days and there's no food, no water and no heating.
But other than all that - you'd be very welcome. 👍😁
But other than all that - you'd be very welcome. 👍😁