Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Ravelin, built 1816, a detached work forming part of the Sheerness Lines, a defensive barrier protecting Blue Town.

Monument Types

• BASTION OUTWORK (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1816 AD to 1990 AD?)

Full description

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In April 1993 the RCHME surveyed the site of the former ravelin, part of the early 19th century defences of Sheerness dockyard, at the request of English Heritage, in response to the threat of partial destruction during redevelopment of the site. The Ravelin built in 1816 formed part of the Sheerness Lines, the middle of three concentric defences around the town, built between 1780 and 1820 [TQ 97 NW 3]. The main surviving feature is a musketry wall, 0.74m thick, and 2.42m high, of brick construction, pierced by gun loops covering the approaches to the ravelin. Earthworks 30m north east and south east of the wall indicate the former site of an outer moat. In addition to the wall a small concrete and brick building of uncertain function, possibly an accomodation block, and shown on the O.S. map of 1828 was also surveyed. [See archive report for details]. (1). Additional references (2-6). For full summary of Sheerness defences see (7). Site photographs (8-10).

Watching brief on work in 1996 recorded part of the Ravelin's defensive ditch. (11)

Watching brief on work at Sheppey College on the site of the ditch of the Ravelin defensive work. Evidence of the ditch was recorded. (12)

<1> RCHME: The Ravelin Musketry Wall, Sheerness, Kent (Collection). SKE6484.

<2> The Ravelin, Musketry Wall/report, Paul Pattison & Jane Kenney, RCHME Field Investigation (Bibliographic reference). SKE6397.

<3> The Ravelin, Musketry Wall/survey + elevation (Graphic material). SKE6393.

<4> The Ravelin, Accommodation Block/survey + elevation (Graphic material). SKE6394.

<5> The Ravelin, Accommodation Block/elevation + section + details (Graphic material). SKE6395.

<6> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1993, The Musketry Wall, The Ravelin, Sheerness (Kent): A Survey by the RCHME, April 1993 (Monograph). SWX6970.

<7> Royal Commission on Historic Monuments in England, 1995, Sheerness: The Dockyard, Defences and Blue Town (Unpublished document). SWX6974.

<8> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9810.

<9> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9993.

<10> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9997.

<11> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 1996, Sheppey College: Watching Brief (Unpublished document). SKE12062.

<12> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2001, An Archaeological Watching Brief, Extension to Sheppey College, Sheerness (Unpublished document). SKE12351.

Sources and further reading

Related records