Defending London's River: Story of the Thames Forts, 1540-1945 - Softcover

Smith, Victor T.C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0948305002 ISBN 13: 9780948305009

Publisher: North Kent Books, 1985

Synopsis

Good condition paperback with minimal wear. Contents are clean and bright throughout with no markings.

About this title

From the Publisher

Contents of the book
The book is subtitled "The Story of thr Thames Forts,1540-1945"., and traces the development of fortifications on the Thames from the first purpose built artillery forts constructed as part of Henry VIII's coastal defences. The first were at Higham, Gravesend, Milton ,Tilbury and East Tilbury defending the approaches to London and the Gravesend ferry. The book describes the blockhouses, design and armament. Developments are traced through the Armada, Englisg Civil War and the Dutch raid of 1667. The introduction of continental ideas lead to rebuilds at most forts. Forward defences to meet a French threat in the 1790s lead to completely new forts on a semi-circular plan and new cannon on traversing carriages. New technology in the form of steam driven, ironclads with breach loading rifle guns lead to new defensive positions with iron shields and heavy rifled guns. Continued changes lead to the introduction of the Brennan torpedo and long range breach loading guns on disappearing carriages in low profile structures, while the threat of torpedo boats to the introduction of quick firing Nordenfeldt and Hotchkiss guns in open emplacements supported by electric light emplacements. The final incarnation of the fort was the offshore Maunsell fort of 1942-3. The author Victor Smith is an authority on post medieval and modern fortifications. The book has 48 pages A4, 24 photographs and 33 plans and line drawings.

Edition details

• Publisher: North Kent Books
• Publication date: 1985
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0948305002
• ISBN 13: 9780948305009
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48