Shoeburyness Boom

A 2 km (2,200 yard) stretch, this is designated a scheduled monument and marks the western edge of MoD Shoeburyness firing range, a restricted area.

The first guise was built in late 1939, the first months of the Second World War, mainly to protect shipping and the capital from attack by submarines, mines and surface vessels.

The first guise consisted of wooden piles driven into the estuary bed save for in the deep-water channel which was protected by an anti-submarine net.

The development of nuclear missiles, jet bombers and the hydrogen bomb quickly rendered the Cold War boom obsolete and it was partially demolished in the 1960s.

[1][self-published source] The main intention was to prevent any incursion of enemy submarines up the estuary where they could attack merchant shipping.

Secondary benefits included protection against floating mines, enemy surface vessels and to reduce the available invasion beachheads.

[3][1] In the shallow water at either end, closest to the land, the boom was wooden piles driven into the sandy seabed and reinforced with concrete.

[7] In the south are scant remnants: a line of piles and wrecked boats at East End, close to Minster Beach.

[12][8] The structure marks the western boundary of the firing range at the MoD property (managed by Qinetiq) and access is not permitted to the beach beyond.