Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Built in 1898-9, South Boom Battery was built to protect the southern end of a defensive boom which was to be placed across the Medway in times of war. The battery was constructed on the north-eastern tip of Burntwick Island, enclosed on its south western side by a water-filled ditch. At the end of each ditch was a double machine-gun position. Only the eastern emplacement remains intact. The battery was also equiped with two pairs of 12 pdr QF (quick firing) guns on the northern edge of the island of which on their concrete pads remain. Also there are the traces of three DEL (defence electric lights) and the anchor point for the boom. All are being slowly destroyed by tidal action. Other surviving features included a brick chimney, a yellow brick barracks building and a metal-framed structure.

Monument Types

• BATTERY (Abandoned ?, Post Medieval to Modern - 1898 AD to 2050 AD (between))

Full description

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South Boom Battery (1). Site noted in 2004. (2)

Built in 1898-9, South Boom Battery was built to protect the southern end of a defensive boom which was to be placed across the Medway in times of war. The battery was constructed on the north-eastern tip of Burntwick Island, enclosed on its south western side by a water-filled ditch. At the end of each ditch was a double machine-gun position. Only the eastern emplacement remains intact (TQ 87 SE 1241). The battery was also equiped with two pairs of 12 pdr QF (quick firing) guns on the northern edge of the island of which on their concrete pads remain. Also there are the traces of three DEL (defence electric lights) and the anchor point for the boom. All are being slowly destroyed by tidal action. Other surviving features included a brick chimney, a yellow brick barracks building and a metal-framed structure. (3)

English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme, 1999, Monuments Protection Programme: Report of Site Considered Under MPP For Which Scheduling is Not Recommended: South Boom Battery, Burntwick Island, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE12485.

English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme, 1999, Monuments Protection Programme: Report of Site Considered Under MPP For Which Scheduling is Not Recommended: South Boom Battery, Burntwick Island, Kent (Unpublished document). Ske12485.

<1> Kent County Council, 1999, Survey of Kent post-1500 defence sites, KD97 (Index). SWX11828.

<2> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report (Unpublished document). SWX12121.

Sources and further reading

Related records