Horse Sand Fort, Sea fort in Solent strait, England
Horse Sand Fort is a sea fort standing in the Solent strait near Southsea, England, built on a circular base rising above the water with outer walls clad in granite over a concrete foundation. The structure contains several floors that run from a basement level to a top platform with a lighthouse, all linked by internal passages.
Construction began in 1865 following a design by Captain E. H. Stewart and continued until 1880, as part of a series of defenses planned under Lord Palmerston. These forts were intended to protect Portsmouth harbor from French warships that might attack through the Solent.
The fort represents Victorian military engineering with its three-level structure, including a basement and a top floor housing a lighthouse and ventilation systems.
The fort is currently closed to visitors, but following its sale in October 2021 there are plans for future use as a museum. Its location in the middle of the water means any access requires a boat.
The inner spaces between the outer walls were filled with clay and shingle then topped with a layer of concrete to ensure the stability of the entire construction. This technique helped the fort withstand both wave pressure and the artillery fire it would have faced in wartime.
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