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1402
Earthworks with towers constructed to defend the village from French invaders. 1540 15 cannon blockhouse built at Coalhouse Point by Henry VIII as part of the general scheme of coastal defence (site flooded due to erosion of the river bank). Other blockhouses built at Tilbury, Higham, Milton and Gravesend where foundations can be seen in front of the Clarendon Hotel. 1547 Armament of East Tilbury blockhouse increased to 27 guns with a maximum range of 1 mile. 1553 East Tilbury blockhouse disarmed. 1588 East Tilbury blockhouse appeared to play no significant part in the Armada preparations. 1667 Dutch incursions into the Thames and Medway. 1670 Tilbury Fort built to the design of Sir Bernard de Gomme. 1780 New Tavern Fort built at Gravesend. 1799 Four 24 pounder cannon, range 2½ miles, in a battery at East Tilbury (roughly on site of present open battery at Coalhouse Fort) in response to renewed French threats. New batteries also built at Shornemead and Lower Hope. New Tavern (at Gravesend) and Tilbury forts rearmed. 1815 French defeated at Waterloo. Lower Thames batteries disarmed. 1855 East Tilbury Battery greatly extended to take 17 x 32 pounder guns. 1859 Mounting concern about the French and the development of the ironclad warship led to a complete reappraisal of coastal defences by a Royal Commission. |
Map of south Essex and north Kent showing the Tudor blockhouse locations
The Water Gate at Tilbury Fort, Sir Bernard de Gomme
A plan of the wing battery at East Tilbury on Princess Margaret Road
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