Burrow Island
Encyclopedia
Burrow Island is a tidal island in Portsmouth harbour
. At low tide a spit connects it with Priddy's Hard
.It has been suggested that the name dates from the 17th century and is derived from being within the then borough of Portsmouth.
In between 1678 and 1679 a fortification named Fort James was constructed on the island under the direction of Bernard de Gomme
. It took the form of a square tower 19ft tall. The fortification was apparently allowed to decay with George Byng
commenting on its poor condition in a letter written in either 1707 or 1708. It appears that a rebuilding to a new design was proposed on 1750 but this never took place. What were by then the ruins of the fort were partially demolished 1827 and nothing now remains above ground level.
It has been claimed that King Stephen
built a fortification on the island but this is unlikely to have been the case.
Portsmouth Harbour
Portsmouth Harbour is a large natural harbour in Hampshire, England. Geographically it is a ria: formerly it was the valley of a stream flowing from Portsdown into the Solent River. The city of Portsmouth lies to the east on Portsea Island, and Gosport to the west on the mainland...
. At low tide a spit connects it with Priddy's Hard
Priddy's Hard
Priddy's Hard is an area of Gosport, in Hampshire, England now being developed for housing with part of the site retained as a museum. However, for some two hundred years it was a restricted-access site; first becoming a fort and then an armaments depot for Royal Navy and British Army weapons,...
.It has been suggested that the name dates from the 17th century and is derived from being within the then borough of Portsmouth.
In between 1678 and 1679 a fortification named Fort James was constructed on the island under the direction of Bernard de Gomme
Bernard de Gomme
Sir Bernard de Gomme was a Dutch military engineer. By some he is considered the most important figure in 17th century English military engineering.-Early life:...
. It took the form of a square tower 19ft tall. The fortification was apparently allowed to decay with George Byng
George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington
Admiral of the Fleet George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington, KB PC was a British naval officer and statesman of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His career included service as First Lord of the Admiralty during the reign of King George II.-Naval career:Byng was born at Wrotham, Kent, England...
commenting on its poor condition in a letter written in either 1707 or 1708. It appears that a rebuilding to a new design was proposed on 1750 but this never took place. What were by then the ruins of the fort were partially demolished 1827 and nothing now remains above ground level.
It has been claimed that King Stephen
Stephen, King of England
Stephen , often referred to as Stephen of Blois , was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was King of England from 1135 to his death, and also the Count of Boulogne by right of his wife. Stephen's reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda...
built a fortification on the island but this is unlikely to have been the case.