Fort Blockhouse

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Fort Blockhouse is a fort in Gosport and the final version of a complicated site. It is surrounded on 3 sides by the sea and provides the best view of the harbour entrance. It is unique in two respects - firstly, it was built up over a number of centuries. Secondly, it is thought to be the oldest fortified position in the United Kingdom that is still in active military use. [1]

[edit] History of the Fort

Following the burning of Portsmouth during the Hundred Years War, money was set aside in 1417 to provide protection for the harbour. A blockhouse was first built on the Gosport side of Portsmouth harbour in 1495, with 5 guns.

Henry VIII ordered it replaced with an 8 gun battery as part of his Device Forts in 1539. This was built by Sir Thomas Sperte close to the old blockhouse. This had probably vanished by 1667 when Bernard de Gomme installed a 21 gun battery for Charles II. But in 1708 the fort was rebuilt on an irregular trace. Upgrading was done at the turn of the 19th century, and again in 1845, from which time most remains date. The site was considered obsolete by the 1859 Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, and it was turned over to the Royal Navy, where as HMS Dolphin shore-establishment, it was the home of the submarine service for years.

The site is open for tours in September as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme.