Ancient Forth Defences 17 – French Revolution 1800 – 1900

 
Revolution was also afoot in France, with the monarch being replaced by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804. His military campaigns raged across Europe until his defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

In 1805, an attempt by the combined French and Spanish navies to control the English Channel and allow Napoleon to invade Britain was thwarted at the Battle of Trafalgar by the much strengthened and expanded Royal Navy. This Royal Navy remained the largest in the world until WWII.

In the Forth, the Board of Ordnance erected a Martello Tower in 1809 to defend the new docks at Leith against possible French attack.

Leith Martello Tower

The invasion never came, and the tower was left to decay until 1850 when it was renovated by the Royal Engineers.

Leith Martello Tower internal details

The trefoil gun-emplacement on the platform was added and the accommodation inside was reorganised.

Leith Martello Tower trefoil gun platform

It was occupied by artillerymen from Leith until 1869.

Leith Fortifications, Cromwell’s Citadel, Leith Fort and Martello Tower.

In the middle of the 19th century French colonial ambitions brought her into conflict with Britain once again. To counter any threat from French invaders, three substantial forts were built on Inchkeith between 1878 and 1881.

Inchkeith – 19th Century Fortifications

The fortifications on Inchkeith became the foundation for new gun batteries in the 20th Century