Hoo Fort

The Royal Commission of 1859 identified the need to strongly defend the approaches to the Royal Dockyard at Chatham via the Medway. Hoo Fort was part of this defence strategy and was one of two circular forts (the other being Fort Darnet) that was built in the Medway itself. It was a very difficult build, beset with continual construction problems such as repeated subsidence because of the unstable ground on which the fort was built.

Hoo Fort is a two-tiered building with the gun casemates on the upper level and below them was the barrack accommodation and magazines. The lower level is wider than the top, and access was gained via a drawbridge and short tunnel into the lower level.

A central pillar within the fort has steps around its circumference leading to the upper level. Inside the central pillar were a water tank, toilets and ablutions. Bridges extend out from the top of this central pillar to the gun casemates. The guns themselves were protected by iron shields, which were originally painted in lines in an attempt to make them blend with the surrounding stonework of the fort. Fireplaces within the casemates would have allowed for them to be used as barrack accommodation, should the necessity have arisen.

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[stevemonkey78]

Ihave lived in hoo most of my life never knew about this place, My grandad used to say there were forts like this along the medway. How would ione get out to it. I looks like you would need someone to take you by boat.