Coastal defence and fortification facts for kids
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Coastal defence is all about protecting coastlines and shorelines from attacks by enemies coming from the sea. This includes building strong structures like fortifications and using powerful coastal artillery. Since invaders usually need a safe place like a port or harbour to bring in supplies and soldiers, these defences are often built around such important locations.
Throughout history, coastal defence has changed a lot. Early forts were often built on land and included defences against attacks from both land and sea. Over time, weapons became more powerful, and new ways to protect coasts were developed. These included underwater minefields, anti-submarine nets to stop submarines, and even railway artillery that could move along tracks to target fast-moving ships.
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What is Coastal Defence and Why is it Important?
Coastal defence is a set of actions and structures designed to keep a country's shores safe. Its main goal is to stop an enemy navy or army from landing on the coast. These defences are usually placed in key areas. These areas include major ports, important cities near the sea, or places where an enemy could easily build a base.
Historically, coastal defence weapons were large naval guns. These guns were often similar to those used on warships. They were sometimes supported by smaller weapons. As technology advanced, coastal defences also changed. By the mid-19th century, underwater minefields became common. Later, anti-submarine nets were used to protect harbours from submarines.
A Look Back: History of Coastal Protection
Long ago, before modern ships and weapons, sea attacks were different. Raiders often sailed up rivers to land far inland. Coastal defences then acted more like an early warning system. They would alert local forces about an incoming attack. For example, in ancient Roman times, the Saxon Shore was a network of forts and watchtowers. These were placed along the coasts of Roman Britain and Gaul. They guarded the mouths of rivers.
Later, in Anglo-Saxon Wessex, people protected themselves from Viking raiders. They used coast watchers to spot enemy ships. These watchers would then alert the local army or navy. If the ships landed, fortified towns called burghs, built along rivers, would stop the raiders from going further inland. Losing their ships and loot was often enough to make smaller raiding parties turn back.
Forts in the Water: Sea Forts
Sea forts are special because they are completely surrounded by water. They might be on natural islands, man-made islands, or specially built structures. Unlike most coastal forts that sit on the shoreline, sea forts are usually located a bit further out.
Some sea forts, like Fort Denison in Australia or Fort Sumter in the United States, are inside harbours. Others, like Bréhon Tower or Fort Drum, completely cover small islands. Fort Louvois in France is on a built-up island connected to the shore by a causeway that disappears at high tide. The Murud-Janjira fort in India is so large it's like a whole fortress in the sea.
During World War II, the British built Maunsell Forts as anti-aircraft platforms. One type was a concrete barge with two towers and a gun platform. These were built on land, then towed out and sunk onto sandbanks. Another type had seven interconnected steel platforms on stilts, with guns and a control centre.
Coastal Defences Around the World
Chile's Spanish Forts
During colonial times, the Spanish Empire spent a lot of money to fortify the Chilean coast. This was mainly to protect against attacks from Dutch and English raiders. The Dutch occupation of Valdivia in 1643 caused great concern. This led to the construction of the Valdivian Fort System starting in 1645.
Later, because of the Seven Years' War, the Valdivian Fort System was updated and strengthened from 1764. Other important places like the Chiloé Archipelago and Valparaíso were also prepared for possible English attacks.
China's Ancient and Modern Defences
China began building formal coastal defences during the early Ming dynasty (14th century). These were to protect against attacks from pirates. These defences continued through the Ming and Qing periods. They guarded the coast from pirates and European powers.
Later, European countries built their own coastal defences. These protected the colonial areas they established along the Chinese coast. For example, a fort built by the British in Hong Kong is now the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence. It tells the story of coastal defence in South China. Taiwan also has several coastal forts. Some, like Fort Zeelandia, date back to the time of the Dutch East India Company. Others, like Eternal Golden Castle, were built in the late 19th century.
Malta: An Island Fortress
The islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino have a long history of coastal fortification. The area around the Grand Harbour was fortified very early on. By the 13th century, Castrum Maris was built in Birgu to protect the harbour. When the Order of Saint John took over Malta in 1530, they rebuilt this castle.
In the 1550s, more forts like Fort Saint Elmo were built. After the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, many defences were rebuilt. The fortified city of Valletta was constructed. Over the centuries, the Knights also built many watchtowers around the coastline. These included the Wignacourt, Lascaris, and De Redin towers. From 1714, about 52 batteries and redoubts were added.
After the British took Malta in 1800, they updated the defences. Malta became an important "Imperial fortress." Many new forts and batteries were built between 1872 and 1912. During World War II, the British also built many small concrete shelters called pillboxes for defence.
New Zealand's Island Protection
New Zealand's coastline was fortified in two main periods. The first wave happened around 1885. This was due to fears of an attack by Russia. The second wave occurred during World War II. This was because people worried about an invasion by the Japanese.
These fortifications were based on British designs, but adapted for New Zealand. They included gun emplacements, observation posts, and underground bunkers. These bunkers often had tunnels connecting magazines (where ammunition was stored), supply rooms, and engine rooms.
United States: Protecting the Shores
Protecting its coasts was a big concern for the United States from its very beginning. Many forts already existed along the Atlantic coast before the American Revolution. These protected against pirates and foreign attacks. The Revolutionary War led to more simple earthworks being built.
In the 1790s, the US started a national program to build fortifications. By the time of the American Civil War, new armour and weapons made older masonry forts less effective. In 1885, the Endicott Board recommended a major upgrade. This led to new, strong concrete emplacements with sloped earthworks. Many of these featured disappearing guns. These guns could be raised to fire and then lowered for protection. Underwater minefields were also a key part of the defence.
During World War II, the threat of air attacks meant new forts had thick concrete shields covered with plants. This made them hard to see from above. The U.S. Coast Guard patrolled the shores. In 1942, a Coast Guard seaman named John Cullen discovered German saboteurs landing in New York. His report led to their capture.
United Kingdom: From Castles to Modern Towers
Coastal cities in the UK, like Southampton, had strong walls from the 13th century. King Edward I built many castles, such as Conwy Castle, to defend river entrances. From 1539 to 1544, Henry VIII built the Device Forts to protect England's southern coast.
Between 1804 and 1812, the British built Martello Towers. These were round towers designed to defend against a possible invasion from France. Later, in the Victorian era, the Palmerston Forts were built. These were a group of forts and structures recommended in 1860 due to concerns about the French Navy.
During World War I, the British designed eight towers called M-N. These were placed in the Straits of Dover to protect ships from German submarines. The Maunsell Forts were also built during World War II. These small fortified towers, mainly for anti-aircraft guns, were placed in the Thames and Mersey estuaries. With new missile technology, coastal forts became less important. Britain's coastal forts were officially closed down in 1956.
Russia's Modern Coastal Systems
The Russian Federation has developed advanced coastal defence systems. These include the A-222E Bereg-E 130mm coastal mobile artillery system, which is a mobile artillery system. They also have the K-300P Bastion-P coastal defence system and the Bal-E coastal missile complex. These systems use powerful missiles like the Kh-35/Kh-35E to protect their coastlines.
See also
- Atlantic Wall
- Coastal artillery
- Coastal defences of Australia during World War II
- List of coastal fortifications of the United States
- Middelgrundsfortet
