Victorian Forts 4

Harwich

Commenced 1808 Armament Completed 1810 Cost £ 1880s 10 x 24pdr S.B.s Map Reference TM 260322 1861 68pdr & 8inch S.B. guns Position Harwich port entrance 1871 3 x 9inch 12ton R.M.L. 1903-1905 12pdr Q.F. Type then Coast defence Dry Guns Barrack Accom. 60 Present use Museum

History Detention centre then civil defence

Disposal 1920 then 1961 Condition Good Access Museum opening hours

Sources guidebook. Plan in National Archive

History and Description

Harwich Redoubt was constructed between 1808 and 1810 to command the entrance to the Ports at Harwich. One of a series of Martello towers, 200ft in diameter with a central parade of 85ft diameter, it was armed with the usual complement of 24pdr smooth bore guns until 1861 when it was modified to take 68prs firing through on the roof. In 1872 it was again modified to take three 9inch 12 tons RMLs. In 1903 12pdr Q.F. guns were fitted to counter fast moving torpedo boats. With the construction of Beacon Hill Battery nearby the purpose of the Redoubt was negated. It was disarmed in 1905.

In the 1920s the area area the Redoubt was bought by the council and houses were built encroaching on its . During World War Two the Redoubt was used by the Military once more. It served as a detention centre for soldiers before their trial. Post WWII it was used by the Civil Defence. It was designated an Ancient Monument in 1969 and restoration began by the Harwich Society which uncovered some RML guns in the ditch of the Redoubt.

Today it is run as a private museum. It has a 9inch RML and a 12pdr Q.F.on display.

www.victorianforts.co.uk Victorian Forts Harwich 4

Harwich Redoubt