Ref Number: 0051
Menu
This light is responsible for guiding ships of all sizes and nationalities into the deep water channel for Portsmouth and Southampton.
Ref Number: 0051
The unusual history of how the Nab Tower came to be dates back a century, to when the admiralty was worried by the high number of allied commerce ship casualties at the hands of German U-boats during World War I.That’s why in 1916 they came up with a covert scheme to build a dozen massive buildings. These would be hauled into position and used as part of an anti-submarine defence line spanning the Straits of Dover between Dungeness and Cap Gris Nez.
The Construction
The towers were built out of reinforced concrete, and each was designed to hold 100 men who would coordinate the numerous operations. There was supposed to be a chain-linked boom with an anti-submarine net strung from it in the space between the towers. Different gun installations were planned for the towers’ summits. To prevent invasion from the water, a massive grid of mines would be set at the base of each tower and throughout the surrounding waters.
The Build
In June 1918, with official permission, construction on the first two towers began. The project, known by its codename M-N, began life on a remote beach in Sussex, just south of Shoreham Harbour. Naturally, everyone involved made a solemn oath to keep their deeds a secret. Large structures began taking shape to the east of the lighthouse, with the help of a squadron of royal engineers.
The work continued all through the night and into the early hours. Each tower was placed on its own base, and the whole structure looked like a tiered wedding cake, as can be made out in the background of the featured image. It was a modern wonder since it attracted 3,000 people and 5,000 military troops.
The regular citizens of Littlehampton and Beachy Head began to speculate more as they grew larger. Being so large and conspicuous, they were known as “Shoreham’s Mystery Towers” throughout the area. However, it is said that no one could figure out their exact purpose when they were being constructed.
By the time the first tower was nearly finished in November 1918, the war had ended, rendering it unnecessary. Two more years passed before the public learned the towers’ true purpose.
Re Deployment
After the initial shock wore off, the two towers stood empty for a while and eventually became a nuisance to passers-by. At some point, it was proposed that the old lightship be replaced by one of the towers, with its lights illuminating the treacherous areas of Nab Rock to the south-east of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight. Many experienced sailors in the Solent were saddened by the loss of the lightship because her position indicated the direction of the tides.
The Tow and the Lean
In light of this, on September 12th, 1920, the first tower sailed towards Portsmouth. It was ready to go to its ultimate resting place with all flags flying. As it made its way slowly away, many locals waved it off. Upon the mayor’s command, the sea cocks on the freshly christened Nab Tower opened, allowing the main body to slowly drop to the ocean below. But when it settled to the sea floor, a quick twitch and tremor caused the tower’s body to lean three degrees to the north-east (as can be seen in the image above). The second tower met a less honourable end when it was dismantled and recycled for construction materials over the course of nine months.
Latterly
During World War II the tower had a crew and a Bofors gun during World War II, and they were credited with several kills. Today the Nab Tower is still doing its role of aiding navigation and preventing rock impacts, but it is now entirely automated. Unless, of course, you’re the captain of a banana boat, as in November 1999, when the cargo ship ‘Dole America’ crashed into the tower, severely damaging both structures. The tower was badly damaged, and went thorugh several alterations over the years and in the latets interation has since been drastically shortened and is now fully operational again.
© 2024 Island Eye. Designed & Maintained by PC Consultants
Visit Kayak