Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

In 1804 it was described as a work placed on a commanding height with perfect command of the beach on both sides to the end of dymchurch wall. It was armed with ten 24pdrs and manned by an NCO and four gunners. In 1805 two 9pdr. carronades were added to the complement. The battery was ordered to be dismanteled in 1817. A plan of the works exists dated 1848 but three years later it was reported as unfinished and unarmed. In 1854 it was described as an open earthwork on the cliff near the sea west of Sandgate and intended for twelve 24pdr on traversing platforms. The object was to protect thetown, coast and beach giving enfilading fire to each flank. It was in bad repair, unarmed and occupied by a Coast Guard. By 1870 the battery was decribed as an unfinished earthwork on the slope of a hill under Martello Towers 8 and 9 (TR 13 NE 25 & 26).

The stone revetment appears sound but the earthworks are shapless and overgrown with gorse and scrub. Areas of the battery are fenced off and there are scattered semi-industrial buildings in the vicinity.

Monument Types

• BATTERY (Abandoned 1817, Post Medieval to Modern - 1798 AD? to 2050 AD)

Full description

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TR 193351. Shorncliff Battery dated to 1798, but not completed. It had 10 x 24 pounder guns. (1)

In 1804 it was described as a work placed on a commanding height with perfect command of the beach on both sides to the end of Dymchurch Wall. It was armed with ten 24pdrs and manned by an NCO and four gunners. In 1805 two 9pdr. carronades were added to the complement. The battery was ordered to be dismanteled in 1817. A plan of the works exists dated 1848 but three years later it was reported as unfinished and unarmed. In 1854 it was described as an open earthwork on the cliff near the sea west of Sandgate and intended for twelve 24pdr on traversing platforms. The object was to protect the town, coast and beach giving enfilading fire to each flank. It was in bad repair, unarmed and occupied by a Coast Guard. By 1870 the battery was decribed as an unfinished earthwork on the slope of a hill under Martello Towers 8 and 9 (TR 13 NE 25 & 26).

The stone revetment appears sound but the earthworks are shapless and overgrown with scrub. Areas of the battery are fenced off and there are scattered semi-industrial buildings in the vicinity.(2)

<1> Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 1977 39 (D Bennett) (OS Card Reference). SKE43680.

<1> Bennett, D., 1977, A Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945, Handbook of Kent's Defences 1540-1945 1977 39 (D Bennett) (Monograph). SKE7811.

<2> Victor Smith and Andrew Saunders, 2001, Kent's Defence Heritage (Unpublished document). SKE6956.

Sources and further reading

Related records