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- The War of Spanish Succession was marked, in the early phases, by Marlborough’s great land
campaigns on the continent, and the home base was not threatened. However, in 1708 , the country was faced with an immediate invasion threat, leading to a review of the Portsmouth
defences. Such was the state of the Blockhouse battery that Admiral Byng recommended the removal of the guns in case they were turned on Portsmouth by a successful enemy! The immediate
threat passed but a full survey was commissioned and plans for the rebuild of the Blockhouse, at a cost of £6,000, approved. Work started quickly on an irregular shaped fort. To the
landward side facing down the causeway was a moat backed by a stone rampart. This is the earliest part of the fortification still visible today although the moat has long since been
filled in an the gate removed. The main battery was built with 21 guns facing down the main ship channel, and the north-west and north-east sides of the fort were constructed of
palisades, a stout fence of oak, some 7 feet high, deliberately not too strong in case the position was overrun by the enemy. This was a major work which took time to complete despite the
brisk start in 1708; the last workmen were paid off in 1714. NEXT PAGE
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