The Alderney Cow

Alderney's Victorian Forts and Harbour
by
Trevor Davenport

During the middle years of the 19 th Century, the French began to strengthen Cherbourg and to complete the construction of its harbour. This caused considerable alarm in the Admiralty, which feared for the safety of the naval dockyards of Portsmouth and Plymouth that lay within easy reach of the new steam driven warships. Alderney was considered by the Admiralty to be of prime importance as a lookout station for vessels of war and it was decided to build a major harbour at Braye. From here a watch could be kept on the south side of the Channel, particularly on Cherbourg, while the new harbour at Portland could perform a similar function in the north.

An illustration from the book

While the construction of the western arm of the breakwater continued for over 25 years, the building of the chain of eighteen separate forts and batteries to defend Alderney and its harbour was completed in ten years.

Alderney’s Victorian fortifications are the most dominant feature of the island’s landscape and this well-illustrated booklet describes the reasons why the island was fortified, the purpose and design of the forts with special reference to Fort Albert, and the later developments in the island’s military history

Price:£4.50 (GBP)
Plus postage (varies according to destination).

To purchase a copy of 'Alderney's Victorian Forts and Harbour' please contact: