swuklink: Preparation for Napoleon's Invasin in <a href="BAAAGBYS.php">Dorset</a>

PREPARATION FOR NAPOLEONs INVASION IN DORSET

The County of Dorsetshire OS Map Grid Ref: ST721015

Maps from Multimap
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1:500,000

Napoleon's invasion was expected in the south-east near the great French base of Boulogne. Careful preparations were made in Dorset as elsewhere to mobilise men and supplies. Although the county did not see any great defence schemes on the scales of the Royal Military Canal protecting the vast expanse of Romney Marsh in Kent or the line of Martello Towers along the south-east coast, batteries were built (or strengthened) to protect the harbours at Lyme Regis, Weymouth, the anchorage in Swanage Bay and Poole.

A warning system was established along the most prominent parts of the Dorset coast consisting of a number of signal towers. Inland, beacons were placed on the highest hills to alarm the whole county within minutes should the invasion force be sighted.

Further back from the coast, places were appointed as depots to be provisioned and detailed plans made to ensure that all knew what was required of them and how much transport and supplies each district must provide.

Shoreline Signal Stations were erected and maintained in readiness at;
Golden Cap visible to Orchard Hill
Abbotsbury Castle visible to Shipton Hill, Black Down & Verne
Verne visible to Portland Bill, Abbotsbury Castle & White Nothe
Portland Bill visible to Verne
White Nothe visible to Verne, Puddletown Heath & St Aldhelm's Head
St Aldhelm's Head visible to White Nothe & Durlston Head
Durlston Head visible to Ballard Down & St Aldhelm's Head
Ballard Down visible to Durlston Head & Lytchett Heath

SAXON DORSET
Britain MEDIEVAL BRITAIN

CHRISTCHURCH
POOLE
Melbury Osmund
Poole Harbour Puddletown

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CORNWALL DEVON DORSET HAMPSHIRE ISLE OF WIGHT SOMERSET WILTSHIRE

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