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Historic 19CE Military Coastal Fort, Museum & Scheduled Monument
The #WW2 #RAF #AirSeaRescue crew stationed at #NewhavenFort, adopted rooms deep within the fort for their recreation area. Following the military tradition of talismanic #WarArt to protect vehicles & crew, the ASR men painted colourful murals on the stark concrete walls using RAF boat paints, to depict undersea scenes, Arabian deserts & the craft that had meaning to them.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
Concealed behind the cliff face of the #EastSussex coast is the fascinating #NewhavenFort. Completed in 1869, the #AncientMonument was designed by 24 year old #RoyalEngineer #LtJohnCharlesArdagh as part of an ambitious coastal defence project. Commissioned by Prime Minister #LordPalmerston to protect Britain’s #coastline from a growing naval threat from #NapoleonIII.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
#NewhavenFort has had many identities since it was handed over to the local council by the military in 1962. A 1970s failed holiday park venture left the #FortDerelict, & it became a haven & adventure playground for local youths & #Punks. Restored in the ‘80s visitors have since enjoyed its museum, remembrance events, ghost hunts, an amusement arcade & the #GeneralArdaghPub!
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
In 1979, the Victorian #NewhavenFort was scheduled as an #AncientMonument. #LtJohnCharlesArdagh used #Concrete formulas innovated by the #RoyalEngineers to achieve the first mass use of the material in a military structure. Readily available shingle from Newhaven beach was mixed with #Chalk burned to #Lime and transported on the #VictorianRailway from the nearby #BalcombePit.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
#LtJohnCharlesArdagh’s #NewhavenFort is an exemplar of the #Victorian drive to both technologically innovate as well as design beautiful and powerful buildings. To span the unusually wide moat, Ardagh created (& patented) an #EquilibrumBridge & used Middle Eastern architectural design principles for the #Souq like #Casemates that flank the parade ground & ornate #JaliVents.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
Surrounded by natural beauty, #NewhavenFort is as much a haven for #Wildlife as it is for humans. Located within #CastleHillNatureReserve, it offers views across the #EnglishChannel, #NewhavenMarina and the #SouthDownsNationalPark. Its unique structure provides habitats for local wildlife and offers a rest stop for weary migrating birds crossing the channel.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
Although never directly attacked #NewhavenFort’s long military history includes both #WW1 & #WW2 with #Newhaven acting as a disembarkation point for both the #DieppeRaids & #NormandyLandings. One of the many units based there in #WW2 was the #RAF #AirSeaRescue & the crew created colourful #WarMurals to brighten up an area of the fort that had served as their recreation area.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
The heroics of #Newhaven #AirSeaRescue #ASR29, tasked with rescuing #RAF pilots who ditched into the sea, have links to #BritishFilm history. #TELawrence, depicted by #PeterOToole in #LawrenceOfArabia, was instrumental in the development of #HighSpeedLaunch (HSL) which saved countless lives. Lawrence & team’s prototype HSL100 was the first ASR craft to be stationed at Newhaven.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
#NewhavenFort’s #AirSeaRescue crew took part in #BritishFilm history when #EalingStudios shot the ground-breaking For Those In Peril (1944), directed by Charles Crichton in #NewhavenHarbour. Shot with the help of #ASR29’s craft and crew, the film was applauded for its respectful depiction of the valiant work of the #AirSeaRescue units stationed around the world.
In Collection: Newhaven Fort
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