FORTIFICATION OF THE ENGLISH COAST.

Press, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4514, 19 January 1880, Page 3

FORTIFICATION OF THE ENGLISH COAST.

The "Daily News" says:—"Dover Pier, it seems, it to be fortified by placing upon it an armoured turret, carrying two 80-ton guns, weapons of the same calibre, therefore, as are to be carried by our big turret ship, the Inflexible. These cannon may be trusted to carry a projectile half way across the Straits if need be, and would be capable, moreover, if provided with steel projectiles, of piercing any armoured vessel that has been or is ever likely to be built. In a word, a single turret, thus heavily armed, wonld do more to repel an invader than Dover Castle with all its commanding position and multifarious armament. It is to be hoped, however, that more precautions will be taken from tbe land side to secure the turret from assault than appear to exist in tbe case of the forts that have recently been built on the Thames. These, according to some authorities, though formidable enough frem. the water, are almost defenceless from tbe land side, and might be taken without difficulty by an enemy marching upon them from a point lower down the river. Possibly there are many who are unaware that London is defended at all, and that between Gravesend and the Nore several heavily armed batteries have of late years sprung into existence. Tilbury Fort has so long been a by-word with Londoners that many will be surprised to hear that it is at this moment a very respectable work, and armed with a goodly number of 25-ton guns. Opposite Tilbury and a little lower down the river is a companion work, known by the name of New Tavern Fort, which is armed with weapons of equal power, and so placed as to act in concert with Tilbury Fort. An enemy, however, would have to run the gauntlet of another pair of forts, equally formidable, before he engaged those off Gravesend. Coal House Point on the one hand and Shornmeade Fort on the other would call for his attention, both of them being capable of hurling 600-pounder projectiles from the row of heavy cannon with which they are armed."