The Royal Military Canal

Water plays many roles in human life, but perhaps one of the least considered is its use as a tool of war. Don't be deceived by the bucolic setting and the birdsong. This waterway was created to be a battleground.

In the early 19th century, the British government was increasingly concerned about the possiblity of an invasion across the English Channel by Napoleon's forces. The watery expanse of Romney Marsh was hard to defend, so the Royal Military Canal was dug to cut it off from the rest of the country. With guard houses at every bridge, and gun positions at regular intervals, it was literally a last-ditch stand against any invaders who came ashore on the low-lying stretches of the Kent and Sussex coast.

Napoleon never came, but during World War II, the canal was again manned as a defensive line, with concrete "pill box" guard posts built along its length.

Today, thankfully, the canal seems anything but warlike. A footpath runs the whole of its 28-mile (45km) length, and this panorama was shot on a 3.5-mile (5.6km) stretch between Appledore and Warehorne that's owned by The National Trust. It's a haven for wildlife, and today plays an important role in managing water levels and preventing flooding on Romney Marsh.

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Europe / UK-England

Lat: 51° 2' 58" N
Long: 0° 49' 24" E

Elevation: 3m

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: Unknown / Undeclared.

Nikon Coolpix 4500 & FC-E8 fisheye lens. 6 shots at F2 setting used for greater detail in the main part of the panorama, plus 3 shots at F1 setting to fill in the top and bottom. Kaidan Kiwi 990 panoramic tripod head.