Dover in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

A View of the Harbour

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018

1. A View of the Harbour Marker

Inscription. A View of the Harbour Below you is Admiralty Harbour, the naval and merchant port that made Dover so important in the First and Second World Wars. There has been a harbour here since Roman times: this one was built in stages between 1847 and 1909 and opened by the Prince of Wales, later King George V (r.1910-36).

The harbour enclosed an area of 610 acres (247 hectares) for Royal Navy (RN) ships and 68 acres (27.5 hectares) for merchant vessels. Big guns were mounted on the walls for defence, along with searchlights, so that the guns could fire effectively at night.

The guns and lights were controlled from the Fire Command Post, on the ground floor of this building, by a network of telephones.

Here on the roof, in the Second World War, signallers from the Port War Signal Station below sent and received messages to and from RN ships, using flags or flashing lamps. They also watched for enemy vessels and aircraft in the Straits of Dover - on a clear day the coast of France can be seen, 21 miles (33.8km) away.

( photo captions )
- A view of Admiralty Harbour, as imagined in 1898, 11 years before it was ready. The commanding position of the castle (top centre) is evident.
- An impression of the German submarine attack on Admiralty Harbour in January 1915, one of four

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such attacks in late 1914 and early 1915. A submarine periscope is in the centre foreground.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1915.

Location. 51° 7.598′ N, 1° 19.504′ E. Marker is in Dover, England, in Kent. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Castle Hill Road and Canons Gate Road. Located at the Hospital Battery at the cliff’s edge next to Dover Castle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover, England CT16 1HU, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A View to the East (here, next to this marker); A View to the West (here, next to this marker); The Signal Platform (here, next to this marker); Finding the Enemy (a few steps from this marker); Command, Control and Communication (within shouting distance of this marker); Fighting the Enemy in the Sky (within shouting distance of this marker); Operation Dynamo (within shouting distance of this marker); Ramsay: retreat and return (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Also see . . .
1. English Heritage - Dover Castle. (Submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Dover Castle on Wikipedia. (Submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018

2. A View of the Harbour Marker

Dover Harbour and the English Channel. France is visible on the horizon.

The Western Side of Dover Harbour image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, September 8, 2018

3. The Western Side of Dover Harbour

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 11, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.