More information : TQ 691 761 Blockhouse (site of)
Probable site of a Henrician blockhouse built on the River Thames at East Tilbury, Essex between 1539 and 1541 as part of a scheme to defend the approach to London and the dockyards at Woolwich and Deptford. There were four other blockhouses at Tilbury, Higham, Milton and Gravesend. The blockhouses were built to designs by Christopher Morice, Master of Ordnance, and James Needham, Clerk and Surveyor of Works. (1)
The blockhouse was located at an important ferry crossing between East Tilbury and Gravesend.
There is some dispute as to when the blockhouse was destroyed, but by 1735 it was in ruins on the foreshore. It is likely that the site is now beneath the mudflats in front of Coalhouse Point. (2)
The foreshore at Coalhouse Point was recorded by English Heritage in October-November 2000 following a request by the Inspector of Ancient Monuments, in order to ascertain whether any traces of the blockhouse could be discovered. This structure was previously recorded under the reference 413479 (TQ 67 NE 19).
The blockhouses were purpose-built to house artillery for the engagement of shipping on the river, denying an enemy the opportunity to bombard the shore or to disembark. Those at East Tilbury and Higham were located at a narrow point in the river to allow for cross-fire. They comprised simple gun towers with splayed embrasures for cannon, with guns in bombproof casemates and in open emplacements on the roof; they may have had a small defended enceinte or earthen rampart with guns in front.
For full details of survey report and archive plans contact the National Monuments record. (3)
Additional references (4-5)
A blockhouse was built at East Tilbury in 1539 and replaced by another one closer to the river in 1540. This was flooded by the sea and in ruins by 1735. (6)
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