The actual structure is quite fascinating: Maunsell Forts - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia HM Fort Roughs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I once worked with an ex sailor who claimed that he had served on "Sealand" (I don't recall if it had a specific R.N.name. "Landguard Point" springs to mind.) during the war. He said that their purpose was to provide defensive cover for shipping in the approaches to the Themes which were on course for the London Docks. As can be imagined that it must have been an onorous job, as they were a sitting (immobile) target for attacking, enemy aircraft and E-boats. From the sea front of Felixtowe, those with good eyesight, can see 'The 'fort' (as I believe it is known locally) with the naked eye. I understood from my informant that life 'aboard' was rather cramped, and it must have been an unpopular posting. The living quarters were inside those circular, concrete rings. I wish that I had been a little more attentive, as I feel sure that he had interesting things to divulge. Imagine the atmosphere on stormy nights with a high sea running. Southern Geordie.
I saw this on a BBC programme about 18 months ago? I believe a group was trying to get money together to buy it in order to restore it back to it's WW2 state as a museum. Would take one hell of a lot of cash though as bits are falling ino the sea.
As I like little controversy every now and then, how about getting the people who have to do "Community Service" restore the place!!
As I like little controversy every now and then, how about getting the people who have to do "Community Service" restore the place!! That's not controversial, Dangerously inaccessible fortresses of Britain restored by car thieves and burglars... it's a great idea!
That's not controversial, Dangerously inaccessible fortresses of Britain restored by car thieves and burglars... it's a great idea! And when they have finished, leave them there.
Excuse me lads, but I have to deal with Community Service when I work during the summer. Suffice to say the greater majority are a bunch of idle, pig ignorant and downright evil gits who couldn't find both hands with a map and a compass. I wouldn't want them near anything important. Except possibly the White Cliffs.
They declare war on the United States, and then the Americans storm into the place, take it over, and pour in heaps of money to make the residents wealthy! And if that doesn't work, they'll get money and backing from Iran and North Korea. You can't lose!
They declare war on the United States, and then the Americans storm into the place, take it over, and pour in heaps of money to make the residents wealthy! Hey! That has been tried already, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick! "The Mouse That Roared" by Leonard Wibberley. "Tiny (3 miles by 5 miles) Grand Fenwick borders Switzerland and France in the Alps, and proudly retains a pre-industrial economy, dependent almost entirely on making Pinot Grand Fenwick wine. Wibberley places Grand Fenwick in a series of absurd situations, where it goes up against superpowers and wins. In The Mouse that Roared it declares war on the United States after US-produced "Grand Enwick" wine threatens to undermine their economy. Expecting to be dealt a crushing defeat (and then rebuild itself through the largess that the United States bestows on its vanquished enemies such as in the Marshall Plan) the tiny Duchy instead defeats the United States, purely by accident, by capturing the Q-bomb, a prototype doomsday device that could destroy the world if triggered." Soon afterwards a film with Peter Sellers was made. I saw it too, it came on cable here the other day. But the Spanish real estate firm was offering 750 M € for the stuff! For that kind of money I would gladly throw my grandmother in as well :wow:
Hey! That has been tried already, the Duchy of Grand Fenwick! "The Mouse That Roared" by Leonard Wibberley. "Tiny (3 miles by 5 miles) Grand Fenwick borders Switzerland and France in the Alps, and proudly retains a pre-industrial economy, dependent almost entirely on making Pinot Grand Fenwick wine. Wibberley places Grand Fenwick in a series of absurd situations, where it goes up against superpowers and wins. In The Mouse that Roared it declares war on the United States after US-produced "Grand Enwick" wine threatens to undermine their economy. Expecting to be dealt a crushing defeat (and then rebuild itself through the largess that the United States bestows on its vanquished enemies such as in the Marshall Plan) the tiny Duchy instead defeats the United States, purely by accident, by capturing the Q-bomb, a prototype doomsday device that could destroy the world if triggered." Soon afterwards a film with Peter Sellers was made. I saw it too, it came on cable here the other day. But the Spanish real estate firm was offering 750 M € for the stuff! For that kind of money I would gladly throw my grandmother in as well :wow: Right first time! But you have to admit it was a great plan! :icon-mrgreenbandit:
I saw this on a BBC programme about 18 months ago? I believe a group was trying to get money together to buy it in order to restore it back to it's WW2 state as a museum. Would take one hell of a lot of cash though as bits are falling ino the sea. There is a project to restore Red Sands fort: Project Redsand
