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| The Maunsell Army Sea Forts The Maunsell Army Sea Forts came about as a direct result of German aircraft attacking Liverpool Docks from the Irish Sea via the undefended Mersey Estuary. Fearful that the German air force would use the Thames as a means of navigation to the centre of London and the London Docks, then the busiest in the World, it was decided to build a number of gun towers for the Mersey and the Thames.
As with the Naval Sea Forts, these were also built at the Red Lion Wharf site and towed down river to be lowered onto the sea bed. They were positioned between June and December 1943 and were manned by 165 men. Each group consisted of four 3.7" gun towers, one 40mm Bofors gun tower, a searchlight tower and a Radar/Control Tower. Of the 21 Army towers built in the Thames, only 13 still exist. The seven towers of The Nore group were dismantled in 1959/60 and parts deposited on the foreshore at Cliffe in Kent. The Red Sands Group of seven towers is directly off Minster on the Isle of Sheppey but visible from Herne Bay, were abandoned in 1956 and occupied by radio pirates, including Radio City and Radio Sutch, during the period 1964-1967. Several TV programmes were filmed on these Forts including Dangerman, Dr Who and the Sea Serpants and an episode of Lovejoy!. 
The Shivering Sand Group today consists of just six towers (pictured above), one tower having been knocked over (the remains of which can be seen next to the second tower) by the ship "Ribersborg" in fog on June 7th 1963. As with the Red Sand Group, it was occupied by the Radio Pirates and several radio stations were active before being forced to close. This group is directly off Herne Bay at about 7 miles distance. If you are specifically interested in the Maunsell Army Sea Forts, the publication The Maunsell Sea Forts, Part 2, ISBN 09524303-1-2 will tell you all you need to know from inception to the present day. It is available at £17.50 post paid (UK) or £20.00 post paid overseas from Frank R Turner. Sea Fort Home | The Army Forts | The Navy Forts | Maps
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Originally there were 38 towers planned for the Mersey and 49 for the Thames but cut backs due to a decrease in German aircraft activity, resulted in only 21 towers being built at each location.
