Red Sands 2012
Page 1 of 2
Issue: 1 Updated: 9th January 2013
Herne Bay & the Red Sands Fort during 2012
Starting at Herne Bay Pier: The first of three piers was begun in 1831 around the same time as Whitstable Harbour was built, this made way for a second opened in 1873
The early pier survived great storm of 1897 & it's replacement was completed in 1899
1. Herne Bay Esplanade in the 1900's
2. Herne Bay Beach from the Pier in 1900's
3. Herne Bay Pier in 1937
Two sections were breached by bombing in WWII & netting used as camophlage, with compensation paid for the War damage the gaps were filled by 'Bailey Bridges'
4. A tram operated until 1950 the Pier pictured above in the 1960's with Shivering Sands Forts just visible on the right horizon
5-7. Posters promoting Herne Bay as a leisure resort
In the infamous floods of 1953 the pier lost its concrete shore ballastrade
Served by early Paddel Steamers & laterly the 'PS Medway Queen' & 'MV Queen of the Channel' the demise of the service came in 1963 after the pier surcummed to ice damage resulting in partial closure
8. Herne Bay Victorian Pier Head from Hampton on 26th August 2012
9. Plan of Herne Bay Pier, Neptunes Jetty (Harbour)
10. Neptunes Jetty Arm from the shoreward Pier stub on 26th August 2012
11. Herne Bay Beach from the Pier stub on 26th August 2012
12. Herne Bay Pier Head from the shore
The final blow for the pier came in January 1978 when North Easterly storms lashed the North Kent Coast knocking down the already weakened areas and 'Bailey Bridges'
Repairs being cost prohibative the Council demolished the Pier in 1980
The short shoreward stub was rebuilt & a sports pavilion constructed, this opened in 1976, however the building became out dated & in need of major repair, consequently was demolished in 2012
The isolated Victorian Pier Head's solid construction 3/4 mile offshore is all that remains of the once grand structure
Herne Bay & Hampton pictured on 6th January 2013 ...
13. Overview of Herne Bay Pier Stubb & Neptunes Jetty from the promenade
14. Hampton Pier known as Oyster Pier
Houses in Hampton Bay constructed in the 1880's were undermined by Hampton Brook & sea action around the 1866 Pier
15. Hampton Pier end ruins
The last property was demolished in 1915, much of the debris remained until the largest remnants were cleared in 2004 at the time of the sea defence scheme
16. Herne Bay from Hampton Pier
17. Herne Bay Pier Head from Hampton Pier
18. Come to Herne Bay
Service visit to Red Sands Fort on the 18th August 2012
19. Offshore II the Tower Tender at Neptune Jetty, Herne Bay
20. Herne Bay Pier Head from the tender
21. Herne Bay & Hampton Coastline
22. Helmsman Tony Pine
23. Heading West with Shivering Sands in the background
24. Motoring throught the Kentish Flats Windfarm
25. Approaching Red Sands Fort Complex from the East
26. Shipping in the Oaze Deep nearest the Fort
27. Making for the Thames
Beyond the Oaze Deep there's a restricted zone & then The Warp shipping lane
28. All seven Towers of the Fort
29. Southern Gun Tower (G1) Bofors, & Control Towers
30. Secondary crane hoist
31. Southern Gun Tower
32. Under G4 with G1, G2, Searchlight & G3
33. Junglewalk from East side of G1
34. The Red Sands Radio Tower of Medium Wave Power
35. Ebbing tidal rip
36. Part of the fendering & platform on G1
37. Oxford picture frame base brace
38. Brace close up detail
39. Ebbing tide beneath G1
40. Junglewalk from West side of G1
41. East side of G1 platform
42. Beneath G4, G2, Searchlight & G3 Towers
43. Bofors Gun Tower
44. Control, G3, G4 & G1
45. Red Sands Radio anteanna detail & wind turbine
46. Junglewalk connecting G1 to Control Tower