2-969-859 - /Heritage Images

New Martello Tower, at the Fair-Way of the Thames and Medway, 1856. 'The tower off the Spit, Isle of Grain, [Kent]...has just been completed by Messrs. Kirk and Parry, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire... The peculiar construction of this tower gives it the facility of firing the guns (which are to be of the largest calibre) on traversing centre pivots, so as to do execution in the fairway of the rivers Thames and Medway. With the latter river this tower forms a crossfire with the Sheerness Battery guns sufficient to sink any ships attempting to pass...The average thickness of the solid masonry is 12 feet...The extreme height of the tower is forty-one feet six inches. From its exposed situation great difficulties were experienced during the winter months in proceeding with the work; but they have been skillfully surmounted by the builders'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.