Portsmouth Submarine Barrier

[benjenbav]

Anyone know how much water above datum there is above the submarine barrier in the bit between Horse Sand Fort and the bit of land marked as drying?

I mention it because, whilst reviewing his gps data for 2006, a friend tells me that he appears to have blithely driven over it without incident. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Mind you, I suspect that it is more a case of gps error and the actual track of the boat was probably the other side of the fort.

 

[Pete7]

The barrier isn't a continuous wall but a series of blocks that can be seen just below the surface at LW springs. Each block is about the size of a transit van with a gap of about 3 - 4 metres before the next block. They are very solid. At low water when we dived them we found 4-5m to the sea bed of flat sand and fine shingle. There is a charted break (passage) about half way along which locals use to transit so your friend may have used this or, been very lucky /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[David_J]

There are two passages available. One about half way along and one close inshore. Never got up the courage and confidence in my sums to do the one close inshore but used the other a lot. This was discussed on here a some months back, with pictures from Solitaire if memory serves. Interesting to hear what its made up of.

 

[xcw]

I saw someone run into it during the summer. He dived down below and reappeared with his chart - a bit late for that I thought! I went over to him but all was ok (other than his pride). It was a local (Southampton) boat - surprised he wasn't aware the barrier was there.

 

[benjenbav]

Thanks, I do normally make use of one of the two passages through the barrier.

The track shown on the gps was some way south of the main passage, quite close to Horse Sand Fort. It was about half tide (neaps) at the time.

 

[Hurricane]

Had a visit a few years ago into Horse Sand Fort and No Mans Land - anyone interested in seing some pics of the inside of them?

 

[xcw]

yes please - could you post them? I've always wondered what they look like inside.

 

[Whitelighter]

yes please mike, that would be very very interesting

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

I would also like to see the pix, went there many years ago (20 or so) and I'd be interested in seeing the differences.

The Sea Devils seem to have decamped now

 

[benjenbav]

Yes please. Every time I go past I wonder what they are like.

 

[Giblets]

There are some piccys of No Man's Land Fort here and Horse Sand Fort here

 

[Hurricane]

Well here we go then
We were invited to look at the future of redeveloping Horse Sand and bring it up to something like the standard of No Mans Land.
This meant that we had a visit to both - it was a bit like "this is what it was like - this is what it should like" - sort of like the BBC's "Changing Rooms or the DIY program that Nick Knowles does - you know the sort of thing.

I'll do Horse Sand first and another post later with No Mans Land - see if you can spot the difference!!!

I hope I havent broken the IPC servers!!
Next installment in the next post.

 

[Hurricane]

Now on to No Mans Land.
Some of the statistics were explained at the time.
If I remember correctly, it cost 7 million quid to revamp.
I think they said it cost them 12 grand just to cut a hole in the side to form a tradesmans entrance - origionally they were just a granite construction but during the war 12 inch thick armour plating was applied.
But just think of the project - you've decided to start your DIY and you decide you want a yard of sand - ok so you get it onto a boat and send it out - then you've got to get it all the way up there - so you need a crane - to fix the crane yo need concrete - to make concrete you need sand - there's a hole in my bucket Dear Liza Dear Liza etc....
I believe they pay council taxes just like us but the heating oil comes fairly infrequently - by ship!!!
No electricity - have their own generators - all the navigation lights we saw ran with battery backups etc - Trinity House were there the day we visited - changing the batteries.
Both forts have their own fresh water springs - that was the funny hole in the last set from HorseSand.
BTW - did you see the open air jacuzi!!!
There was also an underwater room in each fort that used to house a winch to pull up a submarine net or wire that stretched between each fort.

Now on to the pics of No Mans Land.
Yes - it does have its own in door swimming pool.
There is an area inside which they call "The Street" complete with its own telephone box.

Some of the pictures in this post show the inside of the "lighthouse" which has been turned into a residence - the top room has a lounge with a 360 degree view - just imagine that - a room with a view - must be the best view on the whole of the south coast.

There is a reception room as you enter which has a vintage car as a display.
Below the street and entry levels and down in the depths, the owner has built little bars - the whole thing is just like a little town but only three people were living there when we visited.

Here we go then - No Mans Land Fort

BTW the bed in the picture is in the lighthouse section and rotates with the sun.

So just spare a thought when you are next passing.

 

[BrendanS]

If I had £7million to spare, I'd go for it. Great location and views.

 

[Hurricane]

Yey - just imagine it - a one acre plot of land - not just facing the Solent but actually IN the Solent.

I believe the cost of aquiring Horse Sand would be quite reasonable - something like 250 grand should see it but you would also have to demonstrate how you would renovate it.

It would have to be just like No Mans Land - a pure labour of love because it wouldnt be worth what you spent on it.

 

[BrendanS]

My perfect house. Just need the £7million

 

[Piers]

Quite superb - thanks for the posting. really loved it.

 

[Solitaire]

A real good incite into Palmerston's follies! It's the first time I've seen pictures of the inside either fort, let alone both at the same time. As others have said, great views but I think it needs someone like the Barclay Bros to have the sort of money to lavish on the renovations! I like the hole in the bucket analogy, thanks for a really interesting post.

 

[tico]

Almost identical to Stack Rock in Milford Haven, except theres a whole lot of rubble all through it. Guns are still there and apparently valuable coz the steel is pre-nuclear.

Thorn Island fort was more luxurious, but now been semi derelict for about 5 years. Spent many happy afternons there

 

[mjf]

Great Stuff, very interesting indeed - many thanks for sharing these pix with us.

I see the gas turbine MTB featured - same owner?