Maunsell forts

The Maunsell sea forts in the Thames estuary were originally built as anti-aircraft defences during the Second World War. They now make a great target for aerial photography sorties.

Maunsell Sea Forts, looks really post-apocalyptic

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Built off Britain during World War II, to house searchlights and anti-aircraft guns, these are now prime destinations for British fans of modern ruins. They were designed by Guy Maunsell, who went on to design the 'Mulberry' temporary harbors used to supply the Allied armies after D-Day.

Maunsell army sea forts

Maunsell Forts

"One by one throughout the 1950s, the Maunsell sea forts were abandoned and mostly destroyed" The link is the source of the quote

This Naval Sea Fort was the brainchild of Guy Maunsell and designed to defend the Thames estuary after the Luftwaffe began bombing London in 1940. It housed 4 anti aircraft guns mounted on the platform and these weren't removed until 1992. Between 1965 and 1967 it was a base for a pirate radio station and is of the same design as 'Sealand' further up the English coast which until it was recently ravaged by fire had been a designated 'country' ruled by it's owner King Roy. Like the Army Sea…

Maunsell Sea Forts

Photo credit The naval forts were of a different design. They consisted of two cylindrical concrete towers on top of which was a steel platform where two

Maunsell Sea Fort. Pinned for the view of the size difference between the top area and bottom support structures. - ecastles, 2015

Redsands WWII Maunsell Sea Forts by ricksphotos101, via Flickr

Download this stock image: Maunsell Sea Forts Red Sands, abandoned WW2 anti aicraft defences in the Thames Estuary off the North Kent Coast near Herne Bay - F4FGT8 from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.

In 1941 Britain stood alone against the ruthless Nazi war machine and was ill prepared to fight a major world war following the mauling at Dunkirk. London became the target of nightly bombing raids which used the River Thames to navigate to the heart of the city and docks. Guy Maunsell designed two types of fort to be situated in the river and provide anti-ship and aircraft protection.