Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for HURST CASTLE

HURST CASTLE, a fortress in Hordle parish, Hants; on the coast, on the end of a narrow peninsula, at the W entrance of the Solent, opposite Albert fort and Victoria fort in the Isle of Wight, and 4 miles S by W of Lymington. The peninsula is nearly 2 miles long, and in most parts only about 200 yards wide; consists of waterworn chalk flints and gravel; and is little else than a submarine cliff, ranging to a depth of 200 feet; yet, though swept by a very rapid tide, is remarkable for stability. The Solent here is only about a mile wide, and is crossed by an electric cable. The fortress was built, in the time of Henry VIII., along with other fortresses in Hants, to defend the coast; and now, with the new fortresses of Albert and Victoria on the opposite shore, it guards well the entrance to the Solent. It comprises a central tower of 2 stories, with 6 guns on the top; three outer towers, connected by curtains, and all mounted with heavy guns; two outworks, also well mounted; a gate tower, with portcullis; and an encompassing wet ditch. The date 1535 is on the wall; but the outworks are modern, and are being very considerably enlarged to accommodate a garrison 500 strong. The entire fortress is kept in a state of efficiency, and is usually occupied by a company of artillery. Two lighthouses are adjacent, put up in 1812, standing 755 feet apart, respectively 66 and 29 feet high; and having fixed lights visible at the distance of 12 and 9 miles.


(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "a fortress"   (ADL Feature Type: "fortifications")
Administrative units: Hordle CP/Ch       Hampshire AncC
Place: Hurst Castle

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