St Helens Fort is one of the 4 sea-based forts built in the 19th century as part of the defense of Portsmouth - this one specifically to defend the St Helens anchorage. It's sometimes considered the forgotten fort as people are generally aware of the other 3 in the Solent (Spitbank, No Man's Land, Horse Sand) but not this one.
The fort was designed by Captain E. H. Stewart, overseen by Assistant Inspector General of Fortifications, Colonel W. F. D. Jervois. Construction began in 1865 and was completed in 1878, at a cost of £123,311.[1] It suffered badly from subsidence which forced many changes to the plans, ending up with two 10-inch 18-ton rifled muzzle-loading (RML) guns to landward and one 12.5-inch 38-ton RML gun to seaward.
Periodically (often in August), on one of the lowest tides of the year, there is a mass walk from St Helens beach out to the fort and back. At this day the causeway appears from the sea upon which the original materials were carried out from the shore at St Helen's Old Church, where there was formerly a quarry. Access is from this point, but also along the spit from Bembridge.
How to claim
To claim this virtual cache as found simply get to the published coordinates and upload a picture of yourself, your GPS, or a sign with either your caching name or other identifying comment to your log.
You also need to mail me with the following detail - Stand facing the building and look up, you should see a security door protecting access to a ladder. The security door has a pattern of holes in it, and is surrounded by spikes. Email me with the number of holes, and of spikes.
Pictures taken from the shore/passing boat aren't acceptable, you have to be at the fort, close enough to touch it - preferably touching it.
If I don't get the information, AND you don't upload the required picture, I shall delete your log.
I'm aware some people may have been here before, however to claim this one as 'found' you'll need to go again - but at least it's a fun one to revisit
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.