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Drop Redoubt
Drop Redoubt
Overview
The Drop Redoubt is one of the two forts on Western Heights, and
is linked to the other, the Citadel, by a series of dry moats
(the lines). It is, arguably, the most impressive and
immediately noticeable feature on Dover’s Western Heights.
The artillery at the Redoubt faced mostly inland – it was
intended to attack an invading force attempting to capture Dover
from the rear.
The construction of the Redoubt was in two periods – the first
being from 1804-1808 during the Napoleonic Wars, and the second
from 1859-1864 following the recommendations of the 1859 Royal
Commission.
First Period
The original form of the Drop Redoubt was a simple pentagon,
formed by cutting trenches into the hillside and revetting
(facing) them with brickwork. Thus, the Redoubt was a solid
‘island’ with barracks, magazine, and artillery, on top.
Originally, it would have accommodated 200 troops but, by 1893,
the numbers had been reduced to just 90.
A striking feature of the first period is the Soldiers’ Quarters
– five bomb-proof casemates. These are parabolic in cross
section and covered in a thick layer of earth to withstand the
effect of mortar-bombs. The windows at the rear of each open
into a trench, to protect them against blast.
Drop Redoubt circa 1810
1. Soldiers’ Quarters 2. Magazine
3. Guardroom
4. Bridge
Adapted from
an original plan, courtesy of Dover Museum.
Second Period
The rise of Napoleon III during the 1850s caused a further
invasion scare, and a Royal Commission was set up in 1859 to
investigate the defences of Britain. As a result, more work was
deemed necessary at the Heights, and the Drop Redoubt had its
defences improved. Caponiers were added to four of the corners
of the existing fort (each with a stone staircase leading up to
the top of the Redoubt), and gunrooms were built alongside two
of them to allow fire along the North and South-East Lines. The
original magazine was enlarged, and covered with a large earth
bank as protection from mortar-fire.
The Officers’ Quarters, Guardroom, and cells also date from this
period. They can be distinguished from the earlier work by the
semi-circular shape of their arches.
During World War II, the Redoubt housed a squad of commandos
that, in the event of invasion, would have been responsible for
destroying Dover Harbour. Their presence was secret and the
lines around the Redoubt were mined. Evidence of their stay are
the sally ports in Caponiers 1 & 2, and the short tunnel leading
from the encircling line to Drop Redoubt Road.
The entrance to Drop Redoubt was via a bridge. The inner third
of this was pivoted so that the Redoubt could be isolated. The
pivot and the recess into which the bridge swung can still be
seen, although the bridge has long since gone. In the 1980s, a
temporary scaffolding bridge was built by the Army to enable
access for guided tours of the Redoubt, but this was removed in
the middle 1990s to prevent unauthorised entry and vandalism.
Drop Redoubt in 1893, showing the
additions of the second period
1 – 4
Caponiers, each with gun rooms and expense magazines.
G Gun
rooms to cover N & SE Lines.
S
Soldiers’ quarters (original).
MQ Married
soldiers’ quarters, plus wash room and latrines.
MM Main
magazine, enlarged and covered by earth bank.
O
Officers’ quarters, plus offices.
L
Guardroom, with cells and lock-up.
A
Artillery positions, each with expense magazine. The arcs are
the iron racers (rails) on which the guns were traversed.
Adapted
from the original drawing, courtesy of John Guy.
The Armaments
Originally, the Redoubt was to be equipped with 12 smooth bore
24-pounder guns (although only eleven are shown in the diagram
overleaf) and two carronades. However, it is unlikely that many
were installed since the Napoleonic War was almost over by the
time construction was completed. In 1851, only three 24-pounders
were in place, with six 12-pounder saluting guns and an 8”
mortar.
Following the Second Period, eleven Armstrong 64-pounder Rifled
Breech Loaders were installed on traversing carriages. These
proved unsatisfactory and a return was made to muzzle loaders.
The Western Pharos
On top of the Redoubt are the remains of the Roman Pharos, or
lighthouse, which complemented the one that still exists in the
grounds of Dover Castle. Both date from the 2nd Century AD, and
would have been similar in design. The remains were lost during
the first period of construction, but were re-discovered during
the second period and restored to their original position as a
rather shapeless lump of masonry. The foundations, though, can
still be seen in the room immediately below. Local names for the
remains of the Pharos are the ‘Bredenstone’ or the ‘Devil’s Drop
of Mortar’, and it was here, until 1804, that the Lords Warden
of the Cinque Ports had their installation ceremony. It is
likely that the name ‘Drop Redoubt’ originates from the local
name given to the ruins of the Pharos.
Today, English Heritage own the Redoubt and is occasionally
opened by the WHPS.
Gallery
WW2 Commando Tunnel leading from the Grand Shaft Barracks
Caponnier No.4
Main entrance originally bridged by a 1/2 fixed, 1/2 swing
bridge
Victorian sally-port guarded by a member of the First Footguards
Open Day visitors inside caponnier no.4 (note upper level)
Approx 70 steps leading up to the parade ground
Bomb-proofed soldiers' quarter
Gun emplacement covering ground between the Heights and Dover
Castle
Emplacement covering North Lines
Side-arms store and Bredenstone (remains of Roman Pharos)
Officers' Quarters and Battery Offices
Entrance to main magazine (note use of fire bucket)
Looking through shifting lobby into magazine
Inside magazine (capacity 360 barrels of gunpowder)
Note lighting passage at rear.
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