So the long tiring day trip continued, this time going further north-west from the ‘point’ which Shoebury forms on the map. Along the beach, nearest the battery, were two search-light castemates – one nearest had graffiti all over, whilst the further one along had little and featured the searchlight runner-rails intact (a metal circular strip in which the searchlight could be swiveled around on). These searchlights would have been used to spot invaders in the sea at night, and to mark where the nearby batteries should target.
Searchlight post 1 (also at start of article)
The view the searchlights would have taken advantage of
Searchlight post 2
The rail for the searchlight
We then came across a pillbox built into the seawall – probably the older one as it wasn’t level with the current seawall. It was blocked of at the back by a concrete block shoved in the doorway (come on at least be courteous to these bunkers!).
The pillbox top
The pillbox front with loophole
And finally we saw a boathouse used to store a boat which was part of the defence in some manner.
The roof
The inside
And that’s all for this part – we’ve still got to the actual garrison itself and the Cold War anti-submarine boom to do, so this trip will be a long 6-parter!
For pictures of the whole day from me, go to these addresses:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.334559163232954.78255.238743826147822&type=3
And for Joe’s go here:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.334429693245901.78232.238743826147822&type=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAvQBoxslH0
