Dover UK Grand Shaft (2)

John Latter, on May 10, 2007, said:

A view of the Grand Shaft showing the windows of the three spiral staircases taken from the top (opposite view). Built in 1806-1809 to provide access for troops stationed in the Western Heights barracks above to the town of Dover below.

Legend has it that one staircase was labelled "Officers and their Ladies", the second, "Senior NCO's and their Wives", and the third, "Other Ranks and their Women".

From a military point of view, however, it would make sense - particularly during an 'emergency' - to introduce a dynamically allocated 'one-way' system.

If troops needed to be quickly dispatched to the port area below, for example, then designating, say, two of the staircases to be 'down only' would result in an unimpeded descent.

Standard Info:

Image/photo taken on 5th June, 2005.

Click for information on open days.

The Grand Shaft, built between 1806-1809, is only part of Dover's extensive Napoleonic defenses - click on Western Heights and then check the tag list for all the locations covered (eg Drop Redoubt, North Centre Bastion, North Entrance - more will be added as time goes on).

Also see St Martin's Battery

Work began on Dover's Western Heights fortifications in the 1770s and was intensified, first in the early 1800s because of Napoleon I (Napoleon Bonaparte), and again in the mid-Nineteenth Century because of Napoleon III (originally known as Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte).

John Latter, on May 12, 2007, said:

It is very similar to St Patrick's Well of Orvieto (which has two spiral stairways), Salvatore - perhaps that's where they got the idea of the Grand Shaft from!

MoMof4, on July 30, 2008, said:

Very unique photo and your historical comments are interesting.

John Latter, on July 30, 2008, said:

BollaBorcsa said:

Very unique photo and your historical comments are interesting.

Thank you :)

John Latter / Jorolat