Coastal Defences Collection

Blackpool battered by storms on 18 January 2007. The storms that day killed 13 people across the UK in hurricane force winds. January 2007

Happisburgh 35088_014
Happisburgh, Norfolk, 2021

Destruction of the Martello Tower, Eastbourne, Sussex, by Sir W Armstrongs Guns
1612368 Destruction of the Martello Tower, Eastbourne, Sussex, by Sir W Armstrongs Guns, at a Distance of 1032 Yards (engraving) by English School

Fortifications of Portsmouth, the Kings Bastion, with an Outer Ravelin (engraving)
1594253 Fortifications of Portsmouth, the Kings Bastion, with an Outer Ravelin (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fortifications of Portsmouth)

Under the Breakwater, c. 1863 (oil on canvas)
TW427299 Under the Breakwater, c.1863 (oil on canvas) by Hemy, Charles Napier (1841-1917); 45.7x60.7 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Sketches of Cherbourg (engraving)
2771612 Sketches of Cherbourg (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches of Cherbourg)

Engagement between the "Bourbonnais"Neapolitan Steam-Frigate and the Ship-Gun Battery, Faro
1612433 Engagement between the " Bourbonnais" Neapolitan Steam-Frigate and the Ship-Gun Battery, Faro, 23 August (engraving) by English School

The New Turret-Ship Glatton, for Harbour Defence (engraving)
1626056 The New Turret-Ship Glatton, for Harbour Defence (engraving) by Weedon, Edwin (1819-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: The New Turret-Ship Glatton, for Harbour Defence)

Artillery Experiments at Picklecombe Fort, Plymouth (engraving)
1589071 Artillery Experiments at Picklecombe Fort, Plymouth (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Artillery Experiments at Picklecombe Fort, Plymouth)

Experiments at Shoeburyness on the Plymouth Breakwater Target (engraving)
1588747 Experiments at Shoeburyness on the Plymouth Breakwater Target (engraving) by Robinson, Charles (1840-81); Private Collection; (add.info)

Our Coast Defences, Martello Towers, Pevensey Bay (engraving)
1596445 Our Coast Defences, Martello Towers, Pevensey Bay (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our Coast Defences, Martello Towers, Pevensey Bay)

Our Coast Defences, the Forts at the Mouth of the Thames and Medway (engraving)
1595314 Our Coast Defences, the Forts at the Mouth of the Thames and Medway (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our Coast Defences)

Experiments with the Armstrong 600-Pounder against the Warrior Target moored off Shoeburyness
1102974 Experiments with the Armstrong 600-Pounder against the Warrior Target moored off Shoeburyness, Front of the Target after Practice (engraving) by English School

Martello Tower, Hastings, destroyed by the Recent Gales (engraving)
1059184 Martello Tower, Hastings, destroyed by the Recent Gales (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Martello Tower, Hastings, destroyed by the Recent Gales)

Martello Tower No 17, at Hythe, damaged by the Recent Gales (engraving)
1598552 Martello Tower No 17, at Hythe, damaged by the Recent Gales (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Martello Tower No 17, at Hythe)

Volunteer Coast Defence, Railway Artillery (engraving)
1604833 Volunteer Coast Defence, Railway Artillery (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Volunteer Coast Defence, Railway Artillery)

Browndown Fort (engraving)
2772468 Browndown Fort (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Browndown Fort. Illustration for the Illustrated Times)

The Lighthouse and Flagstaff at Colombo, Ceylon (engraving)
1613223 The Lighthouse and Flagstaff at Colombo, Ceylon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Lighthouse and Flagstaff at Colombo, Ceylon)

Our National Defences (engraving)
1595691 Our National Defences (engraving) by Groome, William Henry Charles (1881-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our National Defences)

Sketches of Cherbourg (engraving)
2771613 Sketches of Cherbourg (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches of Cherbourg)

Experiments with Gun-Cotton near Hastings (engraving)
1057913 Experiments with Gun-Cotton near Hastings (engraving) by Holl, Frank (1845-88) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Experiments with Gun-Cotton near Hastings)

Experiments with Gales Protected Gunpowder in a Martello Tower, near Hastings (engraving)
1099260 Experiments with Gales Protected Gunpowder in a Martello Tower, near Hastings (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Cronstadt (engraving)
1618906 Cronstadt (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cronstadt. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 8 April 1854)

The Spanish-American War, Views of Key West, the American Naval Station nearest to Cuba (litho)
1615531 The Spanish-American War, Views of Key West, the American Naval Station nearest to Cuba (litho) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info)

View of Point Levi, from the Battlements of Quebec (engraving)
1620212 View of Point Levi, from the Battlements of Quebec (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: View of Point Levi, from the Battlements of Quebec)

Fortifications of Portsmouth, the New Victoria Tower at the Entrance of the Harbour (engraving)
1594255 Fortifications of Portsmouth, the New Victoria Tower at the Entrance of the Harbour (engraving) by English School

Martello Towers on the Kentish Coast (engraving)
1606966 Martello Towers on the Kentish Coast (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Martello Towers on the Kentish Coast)

Plan and Section of Captain Scotts Turret Gun-Carriage in the Glatton (engraving)
1626055 Plan and Section of Captain Scotts Turret Gun-Carriage in the Glatton (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Experiments with the Armstrong 600-Pounder against the Warrior Floating Target moored off Shoeburyness (engraving)
1102973 Experiments with the Armstrong 600-Pounder against the Warrior Floating Target moored off Shoeburyness (engraving) by English School

St Pauls Bay, Malta (engraving)
1102655 St Pauls Bay, Malta (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: St Pauls Bay, Malta)

Searchlight at Dusk, October 1941 (w / c over pencil on paper)
BIR189840 Searchlight at Dusk, October 1941 (w/c over pencil on paper) by Ravilious, Eric (1903-42); 41.2x51.5 cm; Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery; (add.info)

Our Coast Defences (engraving)
1595325 Our Coast Defences (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our Coast Defences. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 9 June 1888)

The Lines of the Western Heights, Dover (engraving)
1594296 The Lines of the Western Heights, Dover (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Lines of the Western Heights, Dover)

Fog-Horn, for Warning Ships off the Coast (engraving)
1611792 Fog-Horn, for Warning Ships off the Coast (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fog-Horn, for Warning Ships off the Coast)

The Chinese Question, Wei-Hai-Wei, the Naval Port leased to Great Britain with the Island of Liu-Kung-Tau
1615473 The Chinese Question, Wei-Hai-Wei, the Naval Port leased to Great Britain with the Island of Liu-Kung-Tau, at the Entrance to its Harbour (litho) by Loye

Notable French Forts, the Chateau d If and Forts which defend the Entrance to the Port of Marseilles (b / w photo)
1606650 Notable French Forts, the Chateau d If and Forts which defend the Entrance to the Port of Marseilles (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Notable French Forts (litho)
1606647 Notable French Forts (litho) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info.: Notable French Forts)

Our Coast Defences, New Gun Turret on Dover Pier (engraving)
1054663 Our Coast Defences, New Gun Turret on Dover Pier (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Our Coast Defences, New Gun Turret on Dover Pier)

The New Sea Forts at Spithead (engraving)
1057698 The New Sea Forts at Spithead (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The New Sea Forts at Spithead)

"Siege Guns and Earthworks", Artillery Experiments at Eastbourne (engraving)
1053272 " Siege Guns and Earthworks", Artillery Experiments at Eastbourne (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Captain Taylers Breakwater, off Brighton (engraving)
1095522 Captain Taylers Breakwater, off Brighton (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Captain Taylers Breakwater, off Brighton)

Picture showing how Britain prepared for an attempted invasion by German forces during the Second World War. Weapons developed by the Petroleum Warfare Department include this vertical flame throwing

Picture showing how Britain prepared a fiery reception for the Germans had they attempted an invasion. Oil Defences capable of setting the English Channel ablaze were evolved - billowing smoke

Teignmouth Pier and coastal defences at Teignmouth, South Devon, England. Summer

Coastal erosion, Norfolk
Coastal erosion. Eroded coastline at Happisburgh, Norfolk, UK. The Norfolk area of the English coastline is particularly prone to erosion by the sea

Coastal defences, Norfolk
Coastal defences. Waves breaking against a groyne at high tide at Happisburgh, Norfolk, UK. The Norfolk area of the English coastline is particularly prone to erosion by the sea

Blackpool being battered by storms on the 18th January 2007 that killed 13 people across the UK in the hurricane force
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Rebuilding a Norfolk beach after storm damage. Climate change is leading to increased stormy weather
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

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Coastal defences play a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable areas from the relentless forces of nature. The breach at Alkborough on the Humber Estuary serves as a stark reminder of the increasing risks posed by rising sea levels worldwide. As low-lying lands face an escalating threat of coastal flooding, protecting these regions becomes not only essential but also financially burdensome. Blackpool's encounter with ferocious storms on January 18, 2007, left behind a trail of destruction and highlighted the urgent need for robust coastal defences. The relentless power of nature can wreak havoc on communities that lie in its path. Happisburgh stands as a testament to the vulnerability faced by many coastal towns and villages. With each passing day, these areas become more susceptible to erosion and flooding. Coastal defences act as shields against this encroaching menace. Teignmouth Pier and its accompanying coastal defences stand tall against the backdrop of South Devon's picturesque landscape during summer months. These structures serve not only to protect but also enhance our enjoyment of these beautiful seaside destinations. The Martello Tower in Eastbourne fell victim to Sir W Armstrongs Guns' devastating firepower from over 1000 yards away—an illustration of how advancements in weaponry have necessitated equally advanced fortifications along our coastlines. Portsmouth's fortifications, including the King's Bastion with its outer ravelin, showcase centuries-old efforts to defend strategic harbors from potential invaders. These historical remnants remind us that protecting our shores has always been paramount throughout history. Underneath Plymouth's Breakwater lies hidden resilience—a symbol of human engineering prowess standing firm against tumultuous waves since 1863. This oil painting captures both beauty and strength intertwined beneath ocean depths. Cherbourg sketches depict ongoing battles between man-made structures and natural elements—constant reminders that even fortified defenses must constantly adapt to changing tides and weather patterns.