An iconic part of the South Wight’s coastline has been washed away by the strong waves today (Wednesday) after 103 years.
‘The Thimble’ at Hanover Point has stood off of the Island’s coastline since 1911 – some 103 years – but today the adverse weather finally took its toll on the man-made structure, which had been listing to one side for several days, as photographed below by Island Echo reader Dan Snow.
Visible completely at low tide, The Thimble at Hanover Point, Compton was originally created as a marker of the coastline to alert gunners at Fort Redoubt in Freshwater of the safe firing area. Although redundant for over 50 years, the concrete reinforced structure – named after its thimble-like design – became an iconic part of the Military Road landscape between Freshwater and Ventnor.
The Crown Estate, who were ultimately responsible for the marker, said in a statement earlier today that they were not prepared to make any repairs to The Thimble due to its location and non-significant presence.
The Thimble fell at around lunchtime, according to reports.
Photo: Dan Show
