No Man’s Land Fort
(Solent)

This spectacular concentric fort was one of the major forts proposed in the Royal Commission of 1860, its primary goal was to protect the Spithead approaches from that of any attacking naval engagement.

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 A Lord Palmerston folly or succesful deterant?

The Royal Commission decided in 1860 that the approaches needed to be fortified to make it impossible for any attacking navy to come even close to their goal, protecting the home fleet in Portsmouth from the new vessels and armaments being developed throughout the western reaches of Europe.

Defending with a fleet of ships seemed unrealistic in light of the increased speed and firepower of modern battleships. However, a strategically placed ring of forts may be equipped with such lethal weaponry and robust defences that it would be suicidal for even the most advanced vessel of the time to attempt an attack.

Building Costs

The total cost of constructing the No Man’s Land Fort was £462,500. Using the consumer price index as a benchmark, the equivalent cost in today’s market is projected to be over £67,million, making it one of the most expensive forts ever constructed.

Located on Spithead, to the east of Portsmouth Harbour, this outer fort was constructed in 1861 and was an exact replica of Horse Sands Fort. It had its own water supply and was 200 feet in circumference, making it a self-sufficient stronghold. It had a 200-foot circle and was to be staffed by five officers and seventy-two soldiers.The danger of a French invasion had subsided by the time it was completed, but it was periodically upgraded with new weapons during the years that followed.

Installed Armament
  • 1886 – Mounted
  • Lower – 12 * 12.5-inch RML
  • Upper     – 12.5-inch RML
  • 1893 – Mounted
  • Lower – 8 * 12.5-inch RML., 4 * 12-inch B.L.
  • Upper     – 8* 10-inch R.M.L. 5 * 12-inch B.L
  • 1898 – Mounted
  • Lower – 8 * 12.5-inch R.M.L. 4 * 12-inch B.L.12 * 6pdr QF
  • Upper – 9 * 10-inch RML, 4 * 12-inch B.L., 12 * 6pdr QF
  • 1912 – Mounted
  • 3 * 6-inch BL guns , 3 * 12-inch BL ( 12-inch were removed in 1918)
  • 1943 – 1945 Mounted
  • 40mm Bofors 1948 and in 1958 all remaining guns were removed

Politician

Henry John Temple, the son of Viscount Palmerston of Ireland, was born on October 29, 1784, in Broadlands, Hampshire. Following his father’s death on April 16, 1802, he inherited the Irish peerage and attended Harrow School and St. John’s College, Cambridge.

 

Recent History and New Look
After WWII, the fort was deactivated and placed up for sale in the 1960s, but it was not acquired until the 1980s by a private entrepreneur. He rebuilt it into luxury offshore lodging, but has had a rocky recent history with ownership and financing due to a lack of customers. It was sold again in 2012 to another corporate group, who suggested new ideas for its future.

 

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Dusty Fox

Our Historic Isle