Fort Grey is a tidal island located 150 metres or so off the west coast of Guernsey at Rocquaine Bay. It is also known as Château de Rocquaine.
The island was occupied in prehistoric times - late Bronze Age (c9th century BC) pottery has been dug up on the island. The area to the east of the fort is believed to have been used for salt production in the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD.
A small fort was built on the island at an unknown date, but it was certainly there by 1617. This was demolished in 1803 and replaced by a battery, which was capable of containing 12 to 14 guns, protected by a 3 metre thick semi-circular wall. In 1804 a Martello tower was constructed and the perimeter wall was extended to completely enclose the tower. It was part of a chain of defences on Guernsey to protect the island from attack by the French. It was named after General Charles, Earl Grey of Howick, who was Governor of Guernsey from 1797-1807. It was built by local man Thomas Henry from Clos du Valle. The powder magazine was originally constructed on the outside of the fort, but in 1809 a second one was built inside the fort.
In 1891 the War Office sold Fort Grey to the States of Guernsey for £185. It was used by the Germans 1940-1945 as an anti-aircraft battery.
Fort Grey has been home to a shipwreck museum run by the States of Guernsey's museum service since 1976. The arched gateway and steps up into the fort were built at this time: previously access was by a ladder. The museum contains objects recovered from numerous ships wrecked off the coast of Guernsey.
Fort Grey is known as the Cup and Saucer by local people. The island is now permanently linked to Guernsey by a stone causeway
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