built circa sept/1943.,
reason the germans were mining the thames and the authorities had no idea where the mines were originating from, remember these are not the tv floaty type but devious ones which were magnetic and lay on th sea bed until vessel overhead then bang etc.
built in 3 locations redsands and shivering sands were left post war but the others were dismantled.
water depth at redsands only 12/15 metres or so and th same on shivering sands.
They were built off site individually and towed down between two barges before being hand wiched to the sea bed. (the accuray is awe inspiring (i have some in line shots and will try to find)).
there were 1x control tower (mess and organisation),1x searchlight tower,4x 3.5 inch gun towers and1x bofors gun tower. (based on a land artillery set up.
Their job was to spot and plot enemy activities and to shoot down anything they could.
never directly attacked.
steel structures with sectional reinforced legs onto a steel support structure.
post war they were occupied until late 50s then literally abandoned, left every thing including service records ,generators etc onboard.
Army forts so army staff, but there were naval forts elewhere inthe thames.
the crew was 165 men and officers and by the war end it was 265.
theres loads more to them thats a potted history.
sorry about grammar and layout/spelling.
I would add they are so amazing to see its worth a run out but try and get them all in!! (anyone fancy a meeting in summer 2007?).
)
